We had eight birders enjoying a morning walk at Cruickshank Sanctuary. We saw the following 30 species:
Continue reading “SCBWF Weekend (Trip F) – Helen & Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary – January 20, 2023”SCBWF Weekend (Trip E) – Black Point Wildlife Drive – January 19, 2023
We had quite a day of birding today. 10 birders saw 60 species at Black Point Wildlife Drive and 20 species at the Visitor Center. Val and I also saw 11 species at Parrish Park Causeway and 32 species at Jetty Park (no Swainson’s Warbler and need to review the photos to see if we got the Bahama Mockingbird that was high in a tree).
Continue reading “SCBWF Weekend (Trip E) – Black Point Wildlife Drive – January 19, 2023”16 members and friends of Space Coast Audubon enjoyed a late-afternoon / sunset hike at the Helen & Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary in Rockledge, Florida. Our time started out with a short talk by Charlie Venuto about the Cruickshanks and their contributions to birding within Brevard County and beyond. Then we hiked into the preserve, where we encountered some of the resident Florida Scrub-Jay population, 12 other species, and a number of eastern cottontail rabbits. Our hike ended with a beautiful sunset, two Great Horned Owls (one being harassed by a Northern Mockingbird), and a Bald Eagle.
Continue reading “Cruickshank Sanctuary – December 6, 2022”We had a great day out at TM Goodwin WMA today. We started on the Fellsmere Grade Road and then went into the WMA after the gates opened. We were also able to visit the Broadmoor Unit which was quite active. We finished the adventure with lunch at Marsh Landing.
Continue reading “TM Goodwin Trip Report – November 3, 2022”On a warm Autumn day 24 nature enthusiasts headed out to explore St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park. We welcomed several first-timer attendees and enjoyed seeing familiar faces as well, including some of our human snowbirds. As the host, one big highlight for me was having so many photographers on the trip. Thanks to Joel, Chris, Deanna, and Leonora for capturing and sharing photos from our adventure.
Continue reading “St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park – October 30, 2022”We had a great turnout for our dragonfly identification class at Orlando Wetlands. Our instructors, Mary Keim and Randy Snyder from Orange Audubon Society, held a short class to help us learn how to tell different species apart. Then we hit the trails to see what we could find! We ended up with 7 species, and another 3 species found by individuals just before and after our picnic lunch.
Continue reading “Dragonfly Identification Class Trip Report – October 8, 2022”Lake Betsi Trip Report – September 15, 2022
We had 5 birders who enjoyed the 2.3 mile hike around Lake Betsi. Rich Swart just notified me that Rockledge City Council is working on a Zoning Development Amendment that would change the Lake Betsi area from M-2 to Recreation, Open Space and Conservation. Great work Rich.
Continue reading “Lake Betsi Trip Report – September 15, 2022”Lake Betsi Trip Report – July 13, 2022
We had six birders that walked part of the way around Lake Betsi and back. Threatening rain clouds shortened the hike and probably reduced attendees, but the evening turned out nice. Rich Swart discussed the importance of Lake Betsi and how to contact the Rockledge Mayor and Councilmembers to encourage continued enhancements to the area to improve habitat for birds and other wildlife. We saw 15 species of birds:
Continue reading “Lake Betsi Trip Report – July 13, 2022”We had a good showing of 18 birders at Viera Wetlands on the evening of 5/31. The Least Bitterns were out in full force and we saw about a dozen including a couple of babies and one flying right over our heads!
Continue reading “Viera Wetlands Trip Report – May 31, 2022”Wickham Park Trip Report – May 17, 2022
We had a great group of new and experienced birders including some young birders. We saw 29 species. The stars of the show came out at the very end of the 2 mile walk – three Great Horned Owls. A young Red-shouldered Hawk also posed nicely for us.
Continue reading “Wickham Park Trip Report – May 17, 2022”