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Choctawhatchee Audubon Society looking for shorebird count volunteers

Be a part of the Audubon bird count! Choctawhatchee Audubon Society, encouraged by Audubon of Florida, is organizing weekly surveys of certain shorebirds along the Gulf Coast. Currently they are in need of volunteers for the State Park areas in Walton County. A good pair of binoculars or a scope will allow counting of our shorebirds with minimum requirement for long walks in the sand.  The 28 species on the form attached will not be difficult to learn to identify,...

T-6 Texan crashes into Gulf of Mexico near Miramar Beach

Second T-6 in six months to crash near South Walton coastline A T-6 Texan aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Mexico off of Miramar Beach July 2. The crash happened at approximately 12:30 p.m. about 400 yards offshore near Pompano Joe’s just outside the Walton County line. Witnesses said the plane was doing stunt maneuvers all morning in the area when it ran into trouble. “It was doing tricks all morning, it saw there was another plane carrying a banner...

Strong rip currents keep SWFD busy with rescues

More than a dozen people rescued from the Gulf July 2 The SWFD responded to four water rescue calls involving eight distressed swimmers by 11:30 a.m. July 2 and four more by 2 p.m. As SWFD lifeguards worked tirelessly to warn beach goers of the inherent dangers that the surf conditions presented, many times their warnings were ignored requiring the lifeguards to perform rescues. The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) would strongly encourage all beach goers to familiarize themselves with...

Health advisory issued for Topsail State Park area of Walton County

Advisory issued for Stallworth Lake outfall to the western edge of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park UPDATE: Health Advisory rescinded July 2 From the Walton County Sheriff’s office: The Walton County Health Department issued a health advisory this afternoon, following a report by the Walton County Emergency Operations Center of oil substances coming ashore along a section of Walton County beaches. The advisory covers beaches from the Stallworth Lake outfall to the western edge of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park....

Audubon looking for experienced wildlife observers

Observers will accompany beach clean up crews on Panhandle beaches Audubon is pre-screening wildlife observers for oil spill clean up activities. This is important work. Cleanup activities pose significant threats to wildlife and habitats. Official beach clean up crews responding to the oil spill will now be required to have a wildlife observer accompanying them during night work in the Panhandle, out of concern for impacts to beach wildlife like marine turtles, shorebirds and beach mice. Observers will be given...

Walton County begins next phase of beach protection plan

Sand berms to be created on 19.2 miles of county beaches Walton County received approval today from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to move forward with the next phase of its coastal protection plan.  Work will begin immediately to construct a sand berm on approximately 19.2 miles of Walton County Beaches, (not including beaches maintained by the state). The berms, which will be approximately three feet high and 20-30 feet back from the mean high tide water line,...

A morning dedicated to cleaning the coast July 5

South Walton Community Council and Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council host beach clean up day The South Walton Community Council (SWCC) members and volunteers will gather on Monday, July 5th from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. for the annual July 5th beach cleanup. Bill Schultz, SWCC board member emphasizes that only fireworks related trash and debris should be picked up. Beach cleanup stations will be held at Blue Mountain Beach Access, Dune Allen Beach Access, Ed Walline Beach Access, Grayton Beach Access,...