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, will present “Identification of Less Common Birds Seen in the Christmas Bird Count”, at the Chapter’s regular monthly meeting. Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is one of North America’s premier citizen science projects, and this is an excellent opportunity for the interested public to get involved. No experience is necessary. The meeting will be held in Rm 132 of the new Student Services Center (SSC 132) of N/W Florida State College, and will begin with refreshments and socializing at 6:30 p.m., with the program at 7 p.m. The meeting and program are free and open to those who have an interest in birds and nature. Call Walt Spence at 850-582-7064 for more information.
December 8: Christmas Party: The Chapter’s annual Christmas Party will be held at Ed’s Restaurant in Palm Plaza, Niceville, at 6:00 PM on Saturday, December 8. There will be bird slideshows, a raffle, and lots of feathered fun. The public is welcome. Call Margaret Benner at 850-678-6665 to make reservations.
December 17: Christmas Bird Count: Participate in the world’s most popular “citizen science” project. Take part in National Audubon’s 113th Christmas Bird Count this season, the longest running citizen science survey in the world. Last year, thousands of volunteers counted roughly 60 million birds across the Americas and beyond. The Christmas Bird Count is a great way for birders of all levels to enjoy a day in the field and sharpen their birding skills. You will also have the opportunity to meet others who share your interest in birds and to discover some good local spots to find birds. The data are sent to the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University, where over the years Christmas Bird Count records have been used to study changes in bird populations and wintering ranges.
No experience is necessary. There are opportunities for either spotters or recorders. Call Alan Knothe at 850-323-1448 for more information.