Birding

Category

Banded Rufous hummingbird winters in same yard seven years in a row

Winter guest returns to delight of local bird lover Local hummingbird enthusiast and butterfly expert, Mary Ann Friedman of Niceville is excited about a winter guest she has coming to her yard year after year. A Rufous Hummingbird, nicknamed “Ruferocious” has been returning to Mary Ann’s yard each winter for seven years. “We call her Ruferocious because she is pretty possessive and usually kicks any other would be winter hummingbirds out in a very short time. Before she started “living”...

Fall brings hummingbird enjoyment to Northwest Florida

Rare hummingbirds visit Florida this time of year Between now and early spring, rare hummingbird species from out West turn up in Florida on their way to their winter homes in the tropics. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are year-round residents throughout Florida, but many from up North also pass through here on their annual migration to Central America. Floridians who put up hummingbird feeders or grow red or orange tubular flowers may get a glimpse of one of at least nine additional...

Women’s outdoor workshops coming to Quincy Oct. 8-10

Workshop teaches skills associated with fishing, hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation Wanted:  Adventurous and outdoorsy women wishing to learn more about Florida’s great outdoors in a comfortable, noncompetitive, hands-on environment.  If this could be you, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to participate in a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop. The three-day workshop will be Oct. 8-10 at the Wallwood Boy Scout Camp, 23 Wallwood BSA Drive, Quincy.  Sessions begin Friday at 10 a.m. and...

Learn about raptors at Topsail Sept. 18

Learn about the hunters in the sky Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Time: 1:30 p.m. Come and join an exciting indoor interpretive on the birds that deserve respect.  Learn about owls, ospreys, hawks, and more interesting hunters in the sky. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short walk to the clubhouse.  A $6.00 park entrance fee is required. All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. For more information call...

Green heron spotted on Mussett Bayou

This beautiful green heron (Butorides virescens) was spotted perched on a long leaf pine along Mussett Bayou in Santa Rosa Beach. A small, stocky wading bird, the green heron is common in wet spots across much of North America. It can be difficult to see as it stands motionless waiting for small fish to approach within striking range, but it frequently announces its presence by its loud squawking. Cool Facts •    The green heron is one of the few tool-using...

Choctawhatchee Audubon programs for September

Choctawhatchee Audubon educational program at Northwest Florida State College September 2 Choctawhatchee Audubon Society is dedicated to the protection of bird and wildlife habitat, environmental education, and a greater appreciation of Northwest Florida’s natural beauty. Throughout the year, CAS offers a variety of educational programs at Northwest Florida State College. These events are on a wide range of topics related to our natural world and environment, and feature a guest speaker who is an expert in their field. September 2:  “Red...