Birding

Category

Help imperiled bird species survive along our beaches

Be mindful and respect wildlife this coming holiday weekend and every day By Jeff Talbert, Park Services Specialist Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Each year on our beaches, imperiled animals come to nest. Many visitors and residents are aware of our nesting sea turtles and even our endangered beach mice. However, most aren’t aware of our nesting shorebirds. Each year Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay County beaches play host to a variety of nesting shorebirds including snowy plovers and least terns....

Audubon seeks volunteer shorebird stewards

You can help beach birds nest in peace Did you know beach-nesting birds like Snowy Plovers, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers and Least Terns lay their eggs on top of the sand and raise their young on our local beaches? To help Florida’s beach-nesting birds nest safely and successfully, Audubon and their partners post signs and twine around their nesting areas. For added protection, volunteers chaperon these posted areas on busy warm-weather weekends to educate beach-goers about the birds and the...

Twists and turns keep you busy on Turkey Creek

Clear creek full of natural wonder Note: The double culvert south of the Hippy Hole launch area is currently not navigable due to collapse. Interested in a challenging, beautiful kayak or canoe paddle? Head over to Jackson Guard at Eglin Air Force Base and get yourself a recreation pass, as one of Northwest Florida’s most scenic paddles awaits your paddling skills on Turkey Creek. Located on Eglin Air Force Base Recreation Area in Niceville, the Turkey Creek paddle from the...

Walton fishing report for April 24

Fishing is great! Choctawhatchee Bay: Redfish on the small size, still a few trout being caught and a good size. A few flounder in the clearer parts of the bay. 
Creeks/river: Good reports of bass and hybrids being caught at the mouth of the river. In shore: The cobia bite still hammering!  Also great bites on pompano, spotty on sizes. Click here for fishing forecast. Bay and river report brought to you by Copeland’s. “Where the locals shop and the...

Choctawhatchee Audubon activities for May

May 2: Monthy Meeting: A program on the biological diversity of the Blackwater River State Forest will be presented by Peggy Baker of the Frances M. Weston Audubon Society in Pensacola.  The meeting will be held in Rm 132 of the new Student Services Center at the Niceville Campus of Northwest Florida State College.  Socializing and refreshments begin at 6:30 p.m., with the program at 7 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the interested public. Call Walt Spence...