January 18, 2013

Archive

Eagles nest in South Walton and across the State of Florida

Florida’s eagle population now exceeds 4,000 birds each year Bald eagles have been spotted in several locations in South Walton and around the Choctawhatchee Bay. It is great news that these splendid raptors are making Walton County their nesting home. The bald eagle nesting season in Florida is defined as Oct. 1 through May 15. Based on the size of the pair of juvenile birds, I suspect these birds will take flight in the next six to eight weeks. What...

Seaside Community Yard Sale Feb. 9

Location: Seaside Amphitheater 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Get ready for the semi-annual Seaside Community Yard Sale. Turn those old sweaters, retro furniture, record albums, and books into cash. If you have something to sell, there is no better place to fetch top dollar than at the largest yard sale in South Walton County held in the picturesque, coastal town of Seaside. Featuring vendors sprinkled throughout the Seaside Amphitheater, this semi-annual event has become one of the top attractions of...

Walton County fishing report for Jan. 16

Fishing is good! Choctawhatchee Bay: Trout bite has been on! Small, big and some reports of catching 40-50 a day. Catching on everthing, Zooms, Mirrodines, live shrimp, grubs and Gulps. Creeks/river: Trout, crappy and bass. Word is eggs in shellcrackers already. Click here for fishing forecast Bay and river report brought to you by Copeland’s. “Where the locals shop and the tourists are welcome.” Click here to find out more about Copeland’s. Copeland’s Gun and Tackle Shop 17290 U.S. Hwy....

Major improvements on the way for three Holmes Creek landings

Restoration planned for Hightower, Spurling and Live Oak Landings Continuing its focus on water supply and natural resource protection, the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board today approved an agreement of up to $200,000 with Washington County for a series of streambank restoration and protection activities along Holmes Creek. In a separate item, the Board also approved up to $235,845 in grant funding to the City of Blountstown to complete needed repairs and upgrades to its water distribution system....

Get aboard Nonie’s Ark for a wildlife adventure

Local wildlife educator makes learning about wildlife a fun event Nonie Maines has loved wildlife as long as she can remember. Growing up in South Florida, Nonie’s step-father would bring home unwanted or abandoned exotic pets while working as a pool installer. Nonie and her mother would nurse the critters back to health and raise them. Learning about animal husbandry along the way, Nonie went on to get a summer job at the animal nursery at Busch Gardens right out...

FWC announces 2013 Python Challenge

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the 2013 Python Challenge™ with its goal of increasing public awareness about Burmese pythons and how this invasive species is a threat to the Everglades ecosystem, including native wildlife. As part of the Python Challenge, both the public and Florida’s python permit holders are invited to compete to see who can harvest the longest and the most Burmese pythons. On Jan. 12, the Python Challenge™ kick off started a month-long...

Volunteers needed for oyster bagging in Santa Rosa Beach Jan. 15 and 18, 2013

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance is looking for volunteers to help bag oyster shells on Jan. 15 and 18, 2013 at 1 p.m. You will be bagging at the South Walton Center of Northwest Florida State College, 109 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach. RSVP to Alison McDowell at Mcdowel2@nwfsc.edu (850) 200-4173 or Rachel Gwin gwinr@nwfsc.edu What to bring/wear: Wear clothes and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring sunscreen, snacks, a water bottle and a hat. Water and gloves...