Apalachee Audubon Society, Inc. Calendar

Event Calendar of the 2007/2008 season

For a calendar of other 2007/2008 events not organized by this Audubon Chapter, go here.
Also, check out www.bbef.org/comingevents.htm

All trips & programs are free (apart from nominal car fees for some parks) & open to the public.

Date Time Meeting Place Membership Program / Field Trip

Sat Sep 15 8:00 AM End of Bottoms Rd., Wakulla International Coastal Clean-Up and Awareness Day. Bottoms Road Beach Clean-Up Sponsored by Apalachee Audubon Society, Inc.. Bottoms Rd. runs through some of the most beautiful marshes of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, ending on the Gulf of Mexico. Its marshes are home to Scott's Seaside Sparrows and Clapper Rails, trilling Marsh Wrens and nesting Wilson's Plovers as well as an unhealthy amount of human trash. Come spend the day with Apalachee Audubon, helping to restore this piece of scenic Florida to its natural beauty. Bring: gloves, closed-toed shoes to get muddy, sunscreen, insect repellent (if desired), water and a packed lunch. Event t-shirts and trash bags will be provided.

Sun Sep 16 7:30 AM Wild Birds Unlimited, Field Trip: Birding Basics at Lake Lafayette. Join Melissa Forehand and Marvin Collins for an exploration of the woods and waterfront of Lake Lafayette, as well as an introduction to the basics of birdwatching! The walk is likely to see waterbirds like Great Egrets and soaring Osprey as well as songbirds like Brown Thrashers and White-eyed Vireos. Been wondering what birding is all about? This is the walk for you! Just be warned: birding is highly addictive. All walk participants are guaranteed to leave wanting more. Meet at 7:30 AM at Wild Birds Unlimited at Governors Square Blvd & Magnolia Dr. for carpooling (encouraged) or 8:00 AM at Lafayette Capital Park (at 950 PineyZ Plantation Rd.)

Wed Sep 26 7:15 AM Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe Field Trip, to St Marks NWR. Join local birding expert Andy Wraithmell for a trip to Big Bend birding jewel St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge! While it may still feel like summer in late September, the migrating birds at St. Marks will convince you autumn is well on its way! Enjoy the Refuge's resident wading birds, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Great Horned Owls and more, while looking for migrant warblers and shorebirds in the habitats off Lighthouse Road. Great for beginners and experts alike, Andy will share his identification skills and interesting tidbits on the natural history of these feathered visitors. We will recongregate at the St Marks Visitors Center around 8:00 AM

Wed Sep 26 7:00 PM United Church Membership Program: World Wide Birding, by Bob Henderson.

Sat Oct 20 7:30 AM Winn Dixie at N Monroe & Crowder Rd Field Trip to Talquin State Forest, North of the Oklocknee Tract, with Mike Tucker. 1st half will be a short 1.5 to 2 mile hike and the 2nd half will be a more energetic 4 mile hike through some interesting forest. We should be done around 2pm. Please bring binoculars, sunscreen, bug repellent, water and snacks. If you have any questions please contact Mike Tucker at 850-562-0555.

Wed Oct 24 7:00 PM United Church Membership Program: Wakulla Springs & the Aquifer by Jim Stevenson. Florida's springs are a world class resource that provide natural, recreational and economic values for the people of Florida. Jim will discuss the values of Florida's 700 springs, the threats to those values, and strategies being implemented to protect our springs. The ecological health of Wakulla Spring and the work underway to protect and restore the spring serves as an example of springs protection efforts around the state.

Sat Oct 27 7:15 AM Books-A-Million, Thomasville Rd Field Trip, to Tall Timbers with Chris Borg. Walk through natural mixed pine stands to Gannet Pond and the TTRS Bird Window. Then visit various points along Lake Iamonia. Birds to look for will include: Bachman's sparrow, Red-headed woodpecker, Brown-headed nuthatch, White-breasted nuthatch, and Hairy woodpecker. Our guide Chris Borg is Conservation Biologist with Tall Timbers Land Conservancy and a local naturalist. You can also catch up with us at 7:45 AM at TTRS Wade Center parking lot. (TTRS is 13 miles north on Thomasville Rd. past the I-10 intersection, then left on County Rd. 12 for 2.7 miles, and then left on Henry Beadel Dr .)

Sat Nov 10 TBA TBA Field Trip to Bald Point with John Murphy

Wed Nov 28 7:00 PM United Church Membership Program: Birding by Ear by Julie Wraithmell. Birding by WHAT? That's right-just when you thought you had all those field marks down, a whole new challenge begins: birding by ear! The sounds that birds make are not just idle chatter, but important clues to their ID. Come learn how paying attention to the vocal stylings of the Florida forests can open up new dimensions in your birding experience... and make you the envy of all the birders on your block! Julie Wraithmell grew up birding in Central Florida, and worked for eight years for the state, creating the Great Florida Birding Trail. Currently, she works as the state wildlife policy coordinator for Audubon of Florida in Tallahassee.

Sat Dec 1 8:00 AM Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe Field Trip to Bottoms Rd. & Mashes Sands. Join local birders Andy and Julie Wraithmell for a fieldtrip to the coastal marshes of Wakulla County at Bottoms Road and Mashes Sands. Listen for Clapper Rails, scan for Bald Eagles and scope the river for wintering birds like Bufflehead and Common Loons. If time permits, we'll also stop at Lake Munson on the way back to Tallahassee to see what wintering songbirds we can find in the hammocks, and terns or gulls on the lake.Meet at 8AM at the Wachovia Bank on South Monroe across from the North Florida Fairgrounds for carpooling (encouraged) or at 8:30 AM at the end of Bottoms Road in Wakulla Co. (To reach Bottoms Rd., from the US 98/ CR 319 split in Medart, drive about 2.5 miles south towards Panacea on US 98. Just outside of the city limits, Bottoms Rd. will be on your left. Follow the road to the parking lot/ boat launch at the end.) Expect to be done by noon. Level of difficulty: Walking on flat, mostly paved trails. Be sure to bring: binoculars, water, and sunscreen or insect repellent, if desired. For more information, contact: Julie Wraithmell, jwraithmell@audubon.org (850) 527-0279

Sat Jan 19 TBA TBA Field Trip to St. Marks NWR with Jim Cavanagh

Wed Jan 23 7:00 PM United Church Membership Program: Roseate Spoonbill Research by Rob Heath

Sat Jan 26 10 AM 1309 Piedmont Drive Workshop: Birdhouse Building with Fred Dietrich. Cost: A $5 donation to defray costs is appreciated. Learn how to attract more birds to your backyard! Fred Dietrich will assist you in building at least one birdhouse. Adults and children are welcome. So that adequate supplies will be available, please RSVP to Fred Dietrich. Expect to be done by Noon. Level of difficulty: Fred will make it EASY! Don't be shy. Please RSVP or receive further information, from Fred Dietrich.
Sat Feb 16 8 AM Monticello Courthouse Field Trip to Dixie Plantation in Monticello. Cost: $5 tip for driver. Apalachee Audubon joins birders in Jefferson County for a farm wagon tour of the Dixie Plantation, a large well-maintained plantation near Monticello used today mostly for horse trials and dog training. Our wagon will wind through beautiful forest, wetland, and open habitat. A large lake is located behind the "Big House." A variety of birds and wildlife may be expected including turkey, ducks, wading birds, and early migrants. Sandhill Cranes have been observed on the plantation and are a good possibility. 10 spaces are reserved for Jefferson County birders and 10 for Leon County birders. So to assure a seat on the wagon, email Melissa Forehand right away. After 10 spaces have been reserved, a waiting list will be created, and people will be called if there is still room after the Feb 10.

Sat Feb 23 10 - 4 Tallahassee Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour. Interested in making your yard more attractive to birds and other wildlife? The Apalachee Audubon Society, Inc. invites you to take a self-guided tour of six local yards that are wildlife havens. Tickets are $10 per person and will be available for purchase beginning February 1st at Native Nurseries and WildBirds Unlimited. Ticket holders will receive addresses and maps to each location at the time of purchase. Each yard has unique features to attract a variety of birds and other wildlife such as wintering hummingbirds, orioles, tanagers, finches, and pine siskins as well as our year-round residents. You will be inspired to maintain your own yard or green space for wildlife, whether it is one birdfeeder, one nest box, one wildflower bed, one garden path, or one natural area. Make a difference for wildlife, one yard at a time! Join us in our first annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour and fundraiser to benefit Apalachee Audubon Society, Inc.. For more information contact: Fran Rutkovsky , 850 422-3636.

Wed Feb 27 7:00 PM United Church Membership Program: Toxics in the home and yard by Richard Gragg & Charlie Clark

Sat Mar 1 7:30 AM Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe Field Trip Field trip to St Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Lead by Kristen Sommers, we will be looking at shore birds. Kristen has conducted shore bird research in the Tampa Bay area. Those interested who have a spotting scope should bring it. Expect to be done by 10:30 AM. Be sure to bring: Binoculars, field guide, insect repellant, water, comfortable walking shoes. Level of difficulty: Easy For further information, contact Melissa Forehand, about carpooling or Kristen Penney Sommers. Cost: $5/vehicle admission fee to the wildlife refuge. You can also catch up with the field trip at 8:00 AM at the refuge Visitors Center

Sat Mar 15 TBA TBA Field Trip to Torreya State Park with Marvin Collins, with Gil Nelson & Bay County Audubon

Wed Mar 26 7:00 PM United Church Membership Program: Optics for the Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, & People by Joni Ellison. Optics for the Tropics (OT) President/Founder Joni Ellis will share what inspired her to create this non-profit education and research organization. OT provides quality optical equipment to ornithologists and educators in the Caribbean and Latin America, supporting their work with migrant bird populations. OT facilitates international partnerships between the Caribbean, Latin America and North America. Partners develop and monitor research and conservation strategies targeting wintering and breeding grounds of migrant bird populations. Joni will update us on results from the last five years. More info at www.opticsforthetropics.org/

Sat Mar 29 7:30 AM Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe Field Trip, lead by local favorite birding guides Jim & Ellen Shelton, who will help us spot a variety of birds at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge at the peak of the migration season. Cost: $5 per vehicle (Refuge fee). No extra cost for passengers. Level of difficulty: Easy. Expect to be done by: 10:30 AM Be sure to bring: Binoculars, field guide, insect repellent, water, comfortable shoes. If you have one, a wildlife spotting scope! Further information, contact: Jim or Ellen Shelton at 850/942-5194 You can also catch up with the field trip at 8:00 AM at the refuge Visitors Center

Sat Apr 12 7:15 AM Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe Field trip to St George Island State Park Rob Lengacher. Local teacher and birder Rob Lengacher will help nature lovers take advantage of spring migration at St. George Island State Park. If weather conditions cooperate we can expect a great variety of migrating songbirds. Walking will be easy as we explore the Youth Camp area and the beach. Please pack insect repellent, sunscreen, plenty of water, and a lunch. Binoculars and a spotting scope will be available for those who have none.

Wed Apr 23 7:00 PM United Church Membership Program: Marine Lab & coastal habitat by Todd Engstrom

Sat May 3 TBA TBA Field Trip to the FSU Marine Lab with Todd Engstrom

Fri-Sun May 9-11 TBA TBA Weekend Field Trip to Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia with Bob Henderson

Thursday May 15 6:00 PM United Church Membership Program and Annual Banquet: Osprey research, by Bob Montanaro

Sat May 17 TBA TBA Field Trip, Butterfly walk with Sally & Dean Jue

NOTE: All programs and field trips are subject to change. Check the latest AAS newsletter, the AAS website (www.apalachee.org), or call Program Chairman Melissa Forehand at (850) 510-4877 for current information

For a calendar of other 2007/2008 events not organized by this Audubon Chapter, go here.
Also, check out www.bbef.org/comingevents.htm

Note: Monthly programs are free and open to the public. All monthly programs will be held on Wednesdays at the United Church in Tallahassee, 1834 Mahan Drive. Meetings begin at 7:30 pm, with a social gathering preceding at 7:00 pm. Unless otherwise stated, field trips usually leave from the Wachovia Bank, 3400 S. Monroe St., opposite the fairgrounds. Note the time of departure. It varies with each trip depending on the trip destination. Also, if possible, bring binoculars and fieldguides ( a limited number of spare binoculars are available for use during the trip ). Especially for the coastal regions, bug spray and/or protective clothing may come in very handy.

Meeting places:

United Church in Tallahassee
1834 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee

Wachovia Bank
3400 S Monroe St.
(SW corner of intersection of South Monroe and Paul Russell)
Tallahassee

Date	Time	Meeting Place	Membership Program / Field Trip
Sat Sep 15	8:00 AM	End of Bottoms Rd., Wakulla	International Coastal Clean-Up and Awareness Day. Bottoms Road Beach Clean-Up Sponsored by Apalachee Audubon Society, Inc.. Bottoms Rd. runs through some of the most beautiful marshes of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, ending on the Gulf of Mexico. Its marshes are home to Scott's Seaside Sparrows and Clapper Rails, trilling Marsh Wrens and nesting Wilson's Plovers as well as an unhealthy amount of human trash. Come spend the day with Apalachee Audubon, helping to restore this piece of scenic Florida to its natural beauty. Bring: gloves, closed-toed shoes to get muddy, sunscreen, insect repellent (if desired), water and a packed lunch. Event t-shirts and trash bags will be provided.
Sun Sep 16	7:30 AM	Wild Birds Unlimited,	Field Trip: Birding Basics at Lake Lafayette. Join Melissa Forehand and Marvin Collins for an exploration of the woods and waterfront of Lake Lafayette, as well as an introduction to the basics of birdwatching! The walk is likely to see waterbirds like Great Egrets and soaring Osprey as well as songbirds like Brown Thrashers and White-eyed Vireos. Been wondering what birding is all about? This is the walk for you! Just be warned: birding is highly addictive. All walk participants are guaranteed to leave wanting more. Meet at 7:30 AM at Wild Birds Unlimited at Governors Square Blvd & Magnolia Dr. for carpooling (encouraged) or 8:00 AM at Lafayette Capital Park (at 950 PineyZ Plantation Rd.)
Wed Sep 26	7:15 AM	Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe	Field Trip, to St Marks NWR. Join local birding expert Andy Wraithmell for a trip to Big Bend birding jewel St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge! While it may still feel like summer in late September, the migrating birds at St. Marks will convince you autumn is well on its way! Enjoy the Refuge's resident wading birds, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Great Horned Owls and more, while looking for migrant warblers and shorebirds in the habitats off Lighthouse Road. Great for beginners and experts alike, Andy will share his identification skills and interesting tidbits on the natural history of these feathered visitors. We will recongregate at the St Marks Visitors Center around 8:00 AM
Wed Sep 26	7:00 PM	United Church	Membership Program: World Wide Birding, by Bob Henderson.
Sat Oct 20	7:30 AM	Winn Dixie at N Monroe & Crowder Rd	Field Trip to Talquin State Forest, North of the Oklocknee Tract, with Mike Tucker. 1st half will be a short 1.5 to 2 mile hike and the 2nd half will be a more energetic 4 mile hike through some interesting forest. We should be done around 2pm. Please bring binoculars, sunscreen, bug repellent, water and snacks. If you have any questions please contact Mike Tucker at 850-562-0555.
Wed Oct 24	7:00 PM	United Church	Membership Program: Wakulla Springs & the Aquifer by Jim Stevenson. Florida's springs are a world class resource that provide natural, recreational and economic values for the people of Florida. Jim will discuss the values of Florida's 700 springs, the threats to those values, and strategies being implemented to protect our springs. The ecological health of Wakulla Spring and the work underway to protect and restore the spring serves as an example of springs protection efforts around the state.
Sat Oct 27	7:15 AM	Books-A-Million, Thomasville Rd	Field Trip, to Tall Timbers with Chris Borg. Walk through natural mixed pine stands to Gannet Pond and the TTRS Bird Window. Then visit various points along Lake Iamonia. Birds to look for will include: Bachman's sparrow, Red-headed woodpecker, Brown-headed nuthatch, White-breasted nuthatch, and Hairy woodpecker. Our guide Chris Borg is Conservation Biologist with Tall Timbers Land Conservancy and a local naturalist. You can also catch up with us at 7:45 AM at TTRS Wade Center parking lot. (TTRS is 13 miles north on Thomasville Rd. past the I-10 intersection, then left on County Rd. 12 for 2.7 miles, and then left on Henry Beadel Dr .)
Sat Nov 10	TBA	TBA	Field Trip to Bald Point with John Murphy
Wed Nov 28	7:00 PM	United Church	Membership Program: Birding by Ear by Julie Wraithmell. Birding by WHAT? That's right-just when you thought you had all those field marks down, a whole new challenge begins: birding by ear! The sounds that birds make are not just idle chatter, but important clues to their ID. Come learn how paying attention to the vocal stylings of the Florida forests can open up new dimensions in your birding experience... and make you the envy of all the birders on your block! Julie Wraithmell grew up birding in Central Florida, and worked for eight years for the state, creating the Great Florida Birding Trail. Currently, she works as the state wildlife policy coordinator for Audubon of Florida in Tallahassee.
Sat Dec 1	8:00 AM	Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe	Field Trip to Bottoms Rd. & Mashes Sands. Join local birders Andy and Julie Wraithmell for a fieldtrip to the coastal marshes of Wakulla County at Bottoms Road and Mashes Sands. Listen for Clapper Rails, scan for Bald Eagles and scope the river for wintering birds like Bufflehead and Common Loons. If time permits, we'll also stop at Lake Munson on the way back to Tallahassee to see what wintering songbirds we can find in the hammocks, and terns or gulls on the lake.Meet at 8AM at the Wachovia Bank on South Monroe across from the North Florida Fairgrounds for carpooling (encouraged) or at 8:30 AM at the end of Bottoms Road in Wakulla Co. (To reach Bottoms Rd., from the US 98/ CR 319 split in Medart, drive about 2.5 miles south towards Panacea on US 98. Just outside of the city limits, Bottoms Rd. will be on your left. Follow the road to the parking lot/ boat launch at the end.) Expect to be done by noon. Level of difficulty: Walking on flat, mostly paved trails. Be sure to bring: binoculars, water, and sunscreen or insect repellent, if desired. For more information, contact: Julie Wraithmell, jwraithmell@audubon.org (850) 527-0279
Sat Jan 19	TBA	TBA	Field Trip to St. Marks NWR with Jim Cavanagh
Wed Jan 23	7:00 PM	United Church	Membership Program: Roseate Spoonbill Research by Rob Heath
Sat Jan 26	10 AM	1309 Piedmont Drive	Workshop: Birdhouse Building with Fred Dietrich. Cost: A $5 donation to defray costs is appreciated. Learn how to attract more birds to your backyard! Fred Dietrich will assist you in building at least one birdhouse. Adults and children are welcome. So that adequate supplies will be available, please RSVP to Fred Dietrich. Expect to be done by Noon. Level of difficulty: Fred will make it EASY! Don't be shy. Please RSVP or receive further information, from Fred Dietrich.
Sat Feb 16	8 AM	Monticello Courthouse	Field Trip to Dixie Plantation in Monticello. Cost: $5 tip for driver. Apalachee Audubon joins birders in Jefferson County for a farm wagon tour of the Dixie Plantation, a large well-maintained plantation near Monticello used today mostly for horse trials and dog training. Our wagon will wind through beautiful forest, wetland, and open habitat. A large lake is located behind the "Big House." A variety of birds and wildlife may be expected including turkey, ducks, wading birds, and early migrants. Sandhill Cranes have been observed on the plantation and are a good possibility. 10 spaces are reserved for Jefferson County birders and 10 for Leon County birders. So to assure a seat on the wagon, email Melissa Forehand right away. After 10 spaces have been reserved, a waiting list will be created, and people will be called if there is still room after the Feb 10.
Sat Feb 23	10 - 4	Tallahassee	Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour. Interested in making your yard more attractive to birds and other wildlife? The Apalachee Audubon Society, Inc. invites you to take a self-guided tour of six local yards that are wildlife havens. Tickets are $10 per person and will be available for purchase beginning February 1st at Native Nurseries and WildBirds Unlimited. Ticket holders will receive addresses and maps to each location at the time of purchase. Each yard has unique features to attract a variety of birds and other wildlife such as wintering hummingbirds, orioles, tanagers, finches, and pine siskins as well as our year-round residents. You will be inspired to maintain your own yard or green space for wildlife, whether it is one birdfeeder, one nest box, one wildflower bed, one garden path, or one natural area. Make a difference for wildlife, one yard at a time! Join us in our first annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards Tour and fundraiser to benefit Apalachee Audubon Society, Inc.. For more information contact: Fran Rutkovsky , 850 422-3636.
Wed Feb 27	7:00 PM	United Church	Membership Program: Toxics in the home and yard by Richard Gragg & Charlie Clark
Sat Mar 1	7:30 AM	Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe	Field Trip Field trip to St Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Lead by Kristen Sommers, we will be looking at shore birds. Kristen has conducted shore bird research in the Tampa Bay area. Those interested who have a spotting scope should bring it. Expect to be done by 10:30 AM. Be sure to bring: Binoculars, field guide, insect repellant, water, comfortable walking shoes. Level of difficulty: Easy For further information, contact Melissa Forehand, about carpooling or Kristen Penney Sommers. Cost: $5/vehicle admission fee to the wildlife refuge. You can also catch up with the field trip at 8:00 AM at the refuge Visitors Center
Sat Mar 15	TBA	TBA	Field Trip to Torreya State Park with Marvin Collins, with Gil Nelson & Bay County Audubon
Wed Mar 26	7:00 PM	United Church	Membership Program: Optics for the Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, & People by Joni Ellison. Optics for the Tropics (OT) President/Founder Joni Ellis will share what inspired her to create this non-profit education and research organization. OT provides quality optical equipment to ornithologists and educators in the Caribbean and Latin America, supporting their work with migrant bird populations. OT facilitates international partnerships between the Caribbean, Latin America and North America. Partners develop and monitor research and conservation strategies targeting wintering and breeding grounds of migrant bird populations. Joni will update us on results from the last five years. More info at www.opticsforthetropics.org/
Sat Mar 29	7:30 AM	Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe	Field Trip, lead by local favorite birding guides Jim & Ellen Shelton, who will help us spot a variety of birds at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge at the peak of the migration season. Cost: $5 per vehicle (Refuge fee). No extra cost for passengers. Level of difficulty: Easy. Expect to be done by: 10:30 AM Be sure to bring: Binoculars, field guide, insect repellent, water, comfortable shoes. If you have one, a wildlife spotting scope! Further information, contact: Jim or Ellen Shelton at 850/942-5194 You can also catch up with the field trip at 8:00 AM at the refuge Visitors Center
Sat Apr 12	7:15 AM	Wachovia Bank, S.Monroe	Field trip to St George Island State Park Rob Lengacher. Local teacher and birder Rob Lengacher will help nature lovers take advantage of spring migration at St. George Island State Park. If weather conditions cooperate we can expect a great variety of migrating songbirds. Walking will be easy as we explore the Youth Camp area and the beach. Please pack insect repellent, sunscreen, plenty of water, and a lunch. Binoculars and a spotting scope will be available for those who have none.
Wed Apr 23	7:00 PM	United Church	Membership Program: Marine Lab & coastal habitat by Todd Engstrom
Sat May 3	TBA	TBA	Field Trip to the FSU Marine Lab with Todd Engstrom
Fri-Sun May 9-11	TBA	TBA	Weekend Field Trip to Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia with Bob Henderson
Thursday May 15	6:00 PM	United Church	Membership Program and Annual Banquet: Osprey research, by Bob Montanaro
Sat May 17	TBA	TBA	Field Trip, Butterfly walk with Sally & Dean Jue

Event Calendar of the 2007/2008 season

Page last updated: March 19, 2008