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Field Trips for 2009-2010The Public is Invited!Note updates for January and February!Sunday, September 20, 2009 -- Shingle Creek Management AreaThis preserve near Hunters Creek in Orange County is the northernmost of a series of Florida watershed preserves that make up the state-designated Everglades Trail. Various kinds of wetlands and pine flatwoods and a walk along a power line right-of-way provide habitat for many wading birds, hawks, warblers, bluebirds, and interesting plant communities. Saturday, October 17, 2009 -- Saddle Creek ParkHike this unique forested trail on the site of a reclaimed former
phosphate mine! Many migrating fall warblers, other woodlands species, and wading
birds can be seen. The hike is about 3 miles total with a few gentle slopes.
Bring water, binoculars, and bug spray. Bring snacks or lunch; we will eat after
the hike at the park's picnic area. We will meet up with Lake Region Audubon folks
that conduct "Warbler Walks" this time of year. There will be some warbler experts in the bunch!
Forever Florida is a unique place in our county, and perhaps in Florida. It is a working
cattle ranch attached to a privately-owned nature preserve that the Broussard family keeps adding to. Come see
a sustainable environmental economic business model, where nature is preserved, money is made, and people have fun!
Activities include swamp buggy tours, horseback riding, and a new ropes course!
We will look for numerous water bird species and their tree-dwelling cousins
in the salt marsh habitats on the Black Point Wildlife Drive (or maybe a different,
adventurous route for a change). We may go to view the Manatees at the dock or
hike a short trail in a dry scrub area looking for Florida Scrub Jays and other inhabitants.
Afterwards, we will have a late lunch at famous seafood restaurant Dixie Crossroads
in Titusville!
Not exactly a field trip, but more! We have numerous teams that spread out close
to home to count birds from sunrise to sunset as part of an annual Audubon Society citizen science and
conservation project throughout the western hemisphere. This is the 110th year! Brevard County's Viera Wetlands is actually part of a waste water treatment facility.
They use man-made wetlands of several kinds (lakes, marshes, etc.) to absorb remaining nutrients so
the water can be released into the environment. The water in these stages is actually quite clean
and the birds and other wildlife love it. We have encountered Soras, American Bitterns, Limpkins, and
thousands of Blue-winged Teal close up, and upland birds like Caracaras, Harriers, and Kestrels too! Much of our
birding will be from our cars, as you can drive on the berms. This is a guided day-long tour through the
Mosaic Phosphates property, a massive working mining operation that also happens to be habitat for thousands of birds.
A few years ago we saw 94 species! Join your Audubon friends in making your own hearty pancake
breakfast on the table-top griddles at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant
at DeLeon Springs State Park near DeLand. Then we will travel the short distance
to Lyonia Preserve for a hike with endangered Florida Scrub-Jays and other scrub
animals, plus some great scrub habitat plants. On Joe Overstreet Road, Whooping Cranes, Sandhill Cranes, Swallow-tailed Kites,
and Crested Caracaras are possible, and at Lake Kissimmee (the “Landing”), we may see Bald Eagles, Snail Kites,
and lots of wading birds. Three Lakes WMA provides several habitats to see Flycatchers, Meadowlarks, Bluebirds, and
perhaps Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman's Sparrows, and White-tailed Kites! Email: Kissimmee Valley Audubon Society or the Webmaster |