February 16, 2012

Archive

Eagles nest like no other

Florida’s eagle population now exceeds 4,000 birds each year By Stan Kirkland, FWC I get to do many special and enjoyable things in my job with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). One of those things is checking on an eagle’s nest on North Bay in Bay County, on private land, and unlike many nest sites where trees obscure the nest, that wasn’t the case with this nest. The nest is near the crown of a tall longleaf...

YOLO Board supports Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition

YOLO Board Teak Voyagers will be used during expedition to raise awareness for the Florida Wildlife corridor project YOLO Board announces its participation in and support of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition, a campaign to raise awareness and generate support to connect remaining natural lands, waters, working farms and ranches from the Everglades to Georgia, protecting a functional ecological corridor for the health of people, wildlife and watersheds. The expedition began January 17th in Everglades National Park and will include...

30A St. Patrick’s Day parade Mar. 16

The 30A St. Patrick’s Day Parade began small in 2008, and has now grown to include a festival complete with green beer, Guinness sponsored banners, rocking entertainment and an Irish good time. The Grand Marshal of the parade will be Jac McTighe, who follows previous Grand Marshals Rick Talbert, Fire Chief, Commissioner Cecila Jones, Sheriff Michael Adkinson and Deputy Fire Chief Sean Hughes. The parade will form on Scenic Hwy. 30A near The Preserve, then head westbound ending at Gulf...

Walton County fishing and hunting report for Feb. 15

Fishing and weather are great, deer are in rut! Choctawhatchee Bay: Good bit of sheepshead being caught with shrimp. Redfish and trout being caught in good numbers with shrimp and 17 MirrOlures. A few flounder being gigged. Creeks/river: Lots of bass, crappie, and a few stripers and hybrids being caught at the mouth of the river. Deer are on the move, in full rut. Tail end of general gun season this week, muzzleloading next week. Danny Copeland wants to remind...

Camp Helen State Park history tour Mar. 3

Learn about the history of a beautiful local State Park Time: 10 – 10:45 a.m. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Camp Helen State Park invites you to their history walk at Camp Helen State Park. Come learn about the early history of the park and local area while wandering on a guided tour around Camp Helen’s restored historical buildings. The history walk takes place the first Saturday of each month. Participation Requirements: • Must have the ability to follow visual...

Join in on the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 17-20

Be a part of something big! The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event Feb. 17-20. It’s free, fun, and easy—and...

Learn about native snakes at Topsail Feb. 18

Learn fascinating facts about Florida’s snakes Time – 1:30 p.m. Come and join the park for a presentation of native snakes. Learn the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes and how they help the environment. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located on the western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A. ::MAP::...

Walton naturalist recognized as one of the top 20 bird nest monitors in the U.S.

Bluebird program at Hammock Bay a national success Walton resident and naturalist Joe Wyatt has been recognized for his efforts monitoring bluebird nests. Wyatt manages a nesting program each year at Hammock Bay in Freeport. In 2011, Wyatt monitored 101 nests, placing him as one of the top 20 nationwide in Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program. Wyatt is the only Floridian in the top 20. NestWatch is a nest-monitoring project developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in collaboration...