FieldTrips

Bay County Audubon Society

2023-24 Field Trips

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.

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Photo by Ron Houser

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

LaQuita Inn

$98-118

Holiday Inn Express*

$90-103

Comfort Inn

$105-114

Hampton Inn

$147-152

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