Birding

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Choctawhatchee Audubon Society March Activities

Enjoy birding opportunities with the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society. March 5: Thursday Evening Program: Native Plants for Birds and Butterflies in Northwest Florida by Gabriel Campbell Many of the plants used for landscaping in Northwest Florida are non-native, and local birds and butterflies are often not adapted to these plants. University of Florida Graduate Research Assistant Gabriel Campbell will discuss native plants for Northwest Florida yards and gardens that are particularly beneficial to birds and butterflies in our area. The presentation will...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society February activities

February 6: Thursday Evening Program: Habitat Restoration in Deer Lake State Park Project Coordinator and local nature photographer, Jeff Talbert, will discuss ongoing efforts to restore wetland habitats of Deer Lake State Park in southeast Walton County. The goal is to restore these wetlands to conditions thought to exist before European settlement. The presentation will be held at the Northwest Florida State College Niceville campus in room 302 of Building 400 (Student Services Center or “Raider Central.” Socializing begins at 6:30...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society January Activities

January 4: Saturday rare bird hunt A follow-up to relocate and observe interesting birds (e.g., Northern Gannets, a Western Kingbird and Ash-throated Flycatchers) spotted during December’s Christmas Bird Count. Leader Alan Knothe, 850-208-1780. We will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Pepito’s Restaurant parking lot at 1313 Lewis Turner Blvd. in Wright, Florida (north side of Fort Walton Beach). Bring binoculars and/or camera, water, and sunscreen, and wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and a hat. January 9: Thursday Evening Program:: The...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society December activities

Enjoy birding wit the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society December 5, 2019: Thursday Evening Program: Introducing the Christmas Bird Count 2019 by Alan Knothe Learn about the oldest and largest wildlife survey in the world and how you can help. Alan Knothe, local bird count coordinator, will speak on the history of the national Christmas Bird Count and our local count circle in Okaloosa County. You will also learn about the birds we hope to find on this year’s count and how...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society November activities

November 7: Thursday Evening Program: Hurricane Michael: Challenges and Benefits to Shorebirds by Raya Pruner Although Hurricane Michael in October 2018 was devastating to residents of the Florida Panhandle, it actually had some positive effects on our local shorebirds.  Come hear Raya Pruner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission speak on how this historic hurricane impacted threatened shorebirds such as plovers, terns, and black skimmers. The presentation will be held in room 302 of the Student Services Center at...

Owls – Florida’s remarkable nocturnal birds of prey

According to the Florida Audubon Society, Florida is the year-round home to six (6) species of owls and four (4*) occasional visitors such as the striking Snowy Owl. These owls are listed in the Audubon of Florida Checklist of Florida Birds and are the: Barn Owl Barred Owl Burrowing Owl Eastern Screech-Owl Great Horned Owl Short-eared Owl (*exceedingly rare) Flammulated Owl * Long-eared Owl * Northern Saw-whet Owl * Snowy Owl * Each of the species links above will take...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society October activities

October 3: Thursday Evening Program: Bluebird Trails by Dr. Pam Overmyer Bluebirds are some of the most well known birds in the U.S., but unfortunately their abundance is decreasing due to habitat loss and pesticides.  One way for people to increase nesting success is to construct a bluebird “trail.” This presentation will discuss bluebird trails, what they are, and how to create one.  Several years of monitoring data will be presented for two bluebird trails in Bay County. The presentation will...