January 4: Saturday rare bird hunt A follow-up to relocate and observe interesting birds (e.g., Northern Gannets, a Western Kingbird and Ash-throated Flycatchers) spotted during December’s Christmas Bird Count. Leader Alan Knothe, 850-208-1780. We will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Pepito’s Restaurant parking lot at 1313 Lewis Turner Blvd. in Wright, Florida (north side of Fort Walton Beach). Bring binoculars and/or camera, water, and sunscreen, and wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and a hat.
January 9: Thursday Evening Program:: The Wading birds of Eastern North America by Greg Greer
The wading birds of North America are an incredibly diverse group of birds, including herons, egrets, ibises, and many others. Florida is especially well-endowed with wading birds, and they are some of our state’s most iconic species. This program by retired professional naturalist Greg Greer will discuss these species and present some of his excellent photographs. The presentation will be held in room 302 of the Student Services Center at the Northwest Florida State College Niceville campus. Socializing begins at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Contact Dave Clausen at (907) 321-3701 for more information. Please visit our website choctawhatcheeaudubon.org or their Facebook page at Choctawhatchee Audubon.
January 18: Birding Niceville and Valparaiso shorelines
Join Choctawhatchee Audubon as leader Walt Spence, 850-582-7064, brings together birding and local history. Boggy Bayou and bird photography are among Walt’s specialties. And 30 or 40 kinds of birds would not be surprising. We will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot in front of Mattress Depot in Bayou Plaza, 597 N John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578. Bring binoculars and/or camera, water, and sunscreen, and wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and a hat.