Birding

Category

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...

A snowy plover family thrives at Grayton Beach State Park

2012 season proved best year ever for tiny shorebirds at South Walton State Park Photos by Jeff Talbert, Florida State Park Services Specialist 
Information gleaned from report by Raya Pruner, Biological Scientist, Florida Park Service, District 1 As we enjoy our wonderful beaches in South Walton, many visitors and locals are not aware that we are sharing vital habitat for a variety of shorebirds. Our dune systems and coastal dune lakes provide perfect nesting areas and foraging habitat for a...

Choctawhatchee Audubon events for December

December 1: Bird Walk in the Niceville/Valparaiso area. Join Niceville native and noted bird photographer, Walt Spence, for a tour of birding spots around Boggy and Rocky Bayous. Expect to see shorebirds, woodpeckers, wading birds, raptors, warblers, flycatchers, and belted kingfishers. The bird walk is free and open to the general public. Meet in front of Badcock Furniture on SR 20 in Niceville at 7:30 a.m. Call Walt for more information at 850-582-7064. December 6: Program: Local ornithologist, Alan Knothe,...