Grab your binoculars and field guide and join us on some interesting field trips! You do not have to be a member to participate. We do have some extra binoculars for those birders who do not have their own. Anyone interested in photography and native plants is also welcome.
Trips are subject to weather and last-minute changes. There are no rain dates. COVID-19 precautions will be followed as needed. Birds and Brews involves some birding followed by an optional visit to a local pub or restaurant. All times are Central Time. See our Facebook page or electronic newsletter for up to date information or call/text Ron Houser at 850-774-9733.
For All Trips: Please try to maintain social distancing and avoid sharing food, optics, or other items. Masks are optional. Please be courteous by talking softly and not talking on your phone while others are trying to see or hear birds. Please stay behind the trip leader and try to stay together as much as possible. Please stay on the trails to avoid damage to native vegetation and to avoid hazards like fire ants.
FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE FOR 2023-24
2023
Friday, September 15: Beginner bird walk at St. Andrews State Park 8:15 a.m. (central time) @ Gator Lake. Possible lunch at Patches Pub near the park. Ron Houser leading.
Saturday. September 16: International Coastal Cleanup, Lake Powell. Norm Capra leading. Volunteers needed.
Thursday, October 5: Birds and Brews, Lake Caroline. 4:00 p.m. central time. Supper afterwards in St. Andrews. Leader to be determined.
Saturday. October 28: Port St Joe/Cape San Blas, Meet at Frank Pate Park and boat ramp by the lighthouse in Port St. Joe at 9:15 a.m. eastern time (8:15 central time). Lunch downtown St. Joe. Ron Houser leading.
Saturday. November 4: Trail maintenance at Laidlaw Preserve with Choctawhatchee Audubon. Meet at Preserve gate on Hwy 79 at 8:45-9:00 a.m. central time. Neil Lamb leading.
Saturday November 18: Econfina Creek trail hike from Pitt Spring to Sylvan and Williford Springs. 8:15 a.m. central time at Pitt Spring Rec. Area on Hwy 20. Combined trip with Sweetbay Florida Native Plant Society. Https://sweetbay.fnpschapters.org. Ron Houser leading.
Sat. Dec. 2 Parker Preserve work day 8:30 a.m.; organized by Faith Bell.
Sat. Dec. 9 PCB Conservation Park bird walk 7:30 a.m. Leader TBA.
Sat. Dec.16 Christmas Bird Count; organized by Raya Pruner.
2024
Friday-Sunday, Jan. 12-14, 2024 St. Marks NWR trip. Pam Overmyer leading. Make room reservations at The Inn at Wildwood, Crawfordville. 850-926-4455. Meet in Port St. Joe.
Sat. Feb. 17 Birding at Majette Park. Pam leading.
Sat. Mar. 16 Birding and native plant walk at Florida Caverns in Marianna, combined trip with Sweetbay NPS. Ranger Billy Baily leading.
Sat. Mar. 23 Bird Walk at PCB Conservation Park. 7:30 a.m.
April 14-18 High Island, Texas migration trip. Gail leading.
Preliminary details:
Hotels - Winnie,TX
Holiday Inn Express*
$90-103
Gail has reserved a block of rooms (2 dbl beds) at the LaQuinta Inn in Winnie, TX for April 14-18, 2024. Room rates are $92.48 + tax.
Please call 1-800-407-9832, reference group ID #5136B422684935, Bay County Audubon Society, to book your room. Please let her know if you book your reservation so she an keep track of how many rooms we’ve used or may need to add.
Gail Casteel 850-774-5533
Itinerary (flexible, depending on weather or fallout)
High Island (recommend picnic lunch)
Boy Scout Woods (Houston Audubon Society) fee covers all HAS properties
Smith Woods (canopy walk) daily or annual passes
Hooks Sanctuary (Texas Ornithological Society) daily pass available on site annual pass
available online
Anahuac NWR
Wildlife wetland drive
Good for rainy weather or afternoons
Bolivar Peninsula (Stingaree Restaurant for lunch)
Side roads: N. Tuna, Yacht Basin, Stingaree, Frenchtown
Rollover Pass
Chrystal Beach Park
Jetty
Sabine Pass (Picnic Lunch, no restaurants)
Texas Point NWR
Sat. April 20 Earth Day Downtown Panama City.
Sat. April 27 St. George Island migrant birding. Picnic lunch on the island.
Sat. May 4 Laidlaw Preserve birding trip with Choctawhatchee Audubon. Neil Lamb leading.