Birding

Category

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...

Take a hike or paddle with the Florida Trail Association

Florida Trail Association in Northwest Florida Activities 2013 Activity Participants Please note: Contact the activity leader well in advance for more information and/or to reserve your place (space is limited.) Unless instructed otherwise by the activity leader, each participant should bring: day pack, plenty of water (recommended minimum, 2 quarts), sun protection (hat, glasses, screen), insect repellent, lunch and or snacks, adequate clothing for the forecast, and comfortable, sturdy close toed shoes with socks. Long pants, work gloves, and extra...

Choctawhatchee Audubon programs and events for January 2013

January 3: Monthly Meeting: The program for the January meeting of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society, “Hombres, Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves: Bottlenose dolphin site fidelity, habitat use, and causes of mortality along the Western Florida Panhandle,” will be presented by Steve Shippee of both the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge and the University of Central Florida Dept. of Biology, Physiological Ecology, and Bioenergetics Lab. Mr. Shippee has been studying our local dolphin population for several years and has some interesting results to...

Injured bald eagle rescued in South Walton

Update Dec. 28: Eagle has no broken bones and is headed to a specialist for further analysis. A young bald eagle was discovered stranded along U.S. Hwy. 98 in South Walton on Dec. 26.  Discovered near WaterSound Pkwy., a responsible citizen found the stressed bird near a ditch and called Camp Helen State Park to inform them about what looked to be an injured raptor. Park manager, Mebane Cory-Ogden and ranger Daniel Burton checked out the scene, and in turn...

Sandhill cranes winter in North Walton County

Winter visitors a welcome sight for local bird lovers For the last several years, sandhill cranes have been spending the winter months in North Walton County. Foraging in a wetland area and field near Lake Jackson, the birds have been arriving by the dozen. Typically migrating in mid-December and staying until mid-March, the cranes are a welcome sight. With a wingspan of up to 78 inches and standing more than 3 feet tall, the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) is one...

Beautiful redheads residing at Regatta Bay pond

Brightly colored ducks a welcome sight More than 400 Redhead ducks are spending a bit of migratory time at a pond at Regatta Bay in Destin. The Redhead (Aythya americana) is an aptly named diving duck, the Redhead can be easily identified by its bright red head and gray back. Many female Redheads make no nests of their own, but instead lay their eggs in the nests of other ducks. These North American natives spend their summers in the northwest...

Hike Campbell Lake at Topsail Dec. 15

Time: 2:30 p.m. Come join the rangers Sat., Dec. 15 for a hike to one of our beautiful and rare coastal dune lakes. This ranger led hike will begin at Tram Stop 1 in the day use parking area. Distance will be about 3 miles round trip. All programs require a $6.00 entry admission into the park. Outside tours canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330 for more information. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. County Highway...