Nature

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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...

Enjoy a New Year’s Day hike at a Northwest Florida State Park

Florida’s State parks celebrating First Day Hike 2013 The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service invites the public to get back to nature and start the New Year out right by participating in America’s State Parks First Day Hikes 2013 on Jan. 1, 2013. America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Jan. 1 at a state...

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...

DEP secures conservation easement over Seven Runs Creek

Final land acquisition from the $10 million secured under the MOEX consent decree TALLAHASSEE – The State of Florida has acquired conservation land over Seven Runs Creek in Walton County as part of a recently announced $10 million settlement with MOEX, a company invested in the well involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. “This is a perfect example of the private sector working with government. In this case, DEP, for the benefit of biodiversity for all citizens,” said M.C....

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...