2010 - 2011 Field Trips

Helpful information

• Bring bag lunch and water. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
• Visitors are welcome. Field trips are open to anyone interested in birding,
wildlife
watching or exploring Florida’s natural areas. Contact the field trip coordinator to
let that person know you’re coming.
• Riders are expected to share travel expenses. Drivers will tell you what you owe
for riding in their vehicles.
• For most trips, we depart from the Main Post Office at 824 Manatee Avenue
West in Bradenton, but check individual trips for any special instructions.
• Arrive at least ten minutes before departure times.
• Check for changes here or in the Night Heron newsletter.

Upcoming Field Trips

SUNDAY NOV. 7, 2010 - Sweet Bay Nursery

Description - Come see all the birds that hang out at a native plant nursery.
Coordinator(s) - Tom Heitzman 737-3169
Depart - Meet at 10824 Erie Rd. Parrish at 8:30 a.m.

TUESDAY NOV. 9, 2010 - Emerson Point Preserve

Description - 2-hour walk

Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center at 8:30 a.m. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto

FRIDAY NOV. 19, 2010 - Rothenbach Park

Description - Come as we search for fall migrants at one of Sarasota’s newer parks.
Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer 504-0228
Depart - Meet at Lowe’s parking lot SR 70 and I-75 (n side of SR70) 8:00 a.m.

TUESDAY NOV. 30, 2010 - Ackermann Lake and Celery Fields

Description - Explore the NEW Celery Fields searching for all the new wetland birds
enjoying the expanded area.
Coordinator(s) - Dick Comeau 752-1835
Depart - Meet at Lowe’s parking lot SR 70 and I-75 (n side of SR70) 7:30 a.m.
SUNDAY DEC. 5, 2010 - Felts Audubon Preserve

Description - Search for the fall migrants at Felts.

Coordinator(s) - Matt Holman 351-9500
Depart - Meet at Felts - 4600 24th Ave. E. Palmetto 8:30 a.m.

TUESDAY DEC.14, 2010 - Emerson Point Preserve

Description - 2-hour walk.

Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center at 8:30 a.m. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto.

SAT. DEC. 18, 2010 - Bradenton Circle Christmas Bird Count

Description - We need all skill levels whether you are just a beginner or an advanced
birder we need you.
Coordinator(s) - Sign up early with David Williamson 302-1808

TUESDAY DEC. 28, 2010 - Gulf Circle Christmas Bird Count

Description - We need all skill levels whether you are just a beginner or an advanced
birder we need you.
Coordinator(s) - Sign up early with David Williamson 302-1808

SUNDAY JAN.2, 2011 - Sarasota Christmas Bird Count

Description - All skill levels are needed Sarasota Audubon. Get a jump on your 2011
bird list.
Coordinator(s) - Jeanne Dubi Email dubi@comcast.net

SAT JAN. 8, 2011 - Myakka River State Park

DescriptionThis wildlife preserve always provides great birding

Coordinator(s) - Bob & Mary Kelly 758-9796
Depart - Meet at Lowe’s parking lot SR 70 and I-75 (n side of SR70) 7:30 a.m.

TUESDAY JAN 11, 2011 - Emerson Point Preserve

Description - 2-hour walk

Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center at 8:30 a.m. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto

WED JAN 12, 2011 - Lettuce Lake, Ybor City, and Cockroach Bay

Description - This trip combines natural and cultural history starting at Lettuce Lake,
Lake County Park. Lunch in historic Ybor City, tour Ybor city Museum, stop at
Cockroach Bay enroute home. Reservations required. Lunch and museum at own
expense. Trip calls for easy walk on boardwalk that is wheel chair accessible.
Coordinator(s) - Bob & Nancy Dean 792-9235
Depart - Depart 7:00 a.m. from SW Corner of WalMart parking lot, 508 U.S. 301 at 10th
St. E. Palmetto
Notes - Reserve by calling the Deans by Thur. Dec. 16.

FRI. - SUN. JAN 14 - 16, 2011 - Gainesville and Alachua County

Description - This three-day trip is to Paynes Prairie Preserve and other birding hot
spots. We hope to see thousands of wintering sandhill cranes at their favorite gathering
spots along with a wide variety of sparrows, waders, ducks, winter visitors, and
shorebirds.
Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher 776-8424
Depart - Contact coordinator
Notes - Space is limited. Reservations necessary

WED FEB 2, 2011 - Robinson Preserve

Description - This trip is to Manatee’s newest preserve looking for waterbirds and
migrants.
Coordinator(s) - Bob & Mary Kelly 758-9796
Depart - Meet in the parking lot at 1709 99th St, NW in West Bradenton at 8:00 a.m.

TUE FEB 8, 2011 - Emerson Point Preserve

Description - 2-hour walk

Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center at 8:30 a.m. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto

WED FEB 9, 2011 - Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve

Description - We will have a presentation on bird banding and then watch as birds are
caught, banded and released. We will then tour this newly reclaimed and restored
environmentally sensitive area looking for wintering water birds along with various
others including scissor-tailed flycatchers.
Coordinator(s) - Carol Webster 747-7295
Depart - Meet at the SW Corner of WalMart parking lot, 508 U.S. 301 at 10th St. E.
Palmetto 7:30 a.m.

SAT FEB 12, 2011 - Phosphate Mines in Polk County

Description - Privately-guided tour of reclamation ponds near Lakeland. A rare

opportunity to see short-tailed hawks, wintering warblers, and thousands of shorebirds.
Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer 922-4488
Depart - Meet at Cracker Barrel SR. 64 and I-75 at 7:00 a.m.
Notes - FREE LUNCH – Bring snacks and drinks for an all day outing

SUN FEB 20, 2011 - Ackermann Lake and Celery Fields

Description - Explore the NEW Celery Fields searching for all the new wetland birds
enjoying the expanded area.
Coordinator(s) - Mike & Nancy Barnes
Depart - Meet at Lowe’s parking lot at SR 70 and I-75 (n side of SR70) 7:30 a.m.

WED MAR 2, 2011 - Circle B Bar

Description - This trip is to the reserve in Lakeland. We will ride a tram through the
reserve and see hundreds of wading birds, ducks, white pelicans, and peeps. Later we will
have time to walk the trails looking for others.
Coordinator(s) - Connie Zack 758-2929
Depart - Meet at Cracker Barrel SR. 64 and I-75 at 7:00 a.m.

TUE MAR 8, 2011 - Emerson Point Preserve

Description - Lucette Wombacher

Coordinator(s) - 2 hr. walk
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center at 8:30 a.m. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto

FRI – SAT MAR 18 – 19, 2011 - Audubon Academy - Paramount Plaza,

Gainsville

Description -
Coordinator(s) -
Depart -

SUN MAR 20, 2011 - Felts Audubon Preserve

Description - Bob and Nancy Dean will lead a walk at Felts to catch all the spring
migration birds.
Coordinator(s) - Bob and Nancy Dean 792-9235
Depart - Meet at Felts - 4600 24th Ave. E. Palmetto 8:00 a.m.

THUR MAR 24, 2011 - Urfer Park

Description - Come check out Sarasota’s newest birdy park.

Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer 504-0228
Depart - Meet at Lowe’s parking lot SR 70 and I-75 (n side of SR70) 8:00 a.m.

TUE MAR 29, 2011 - Shamrock Park & Venice Rookery

Description - If you haven’t seen a scrub jay don’t miss this trip also get great looks at
nesting birds at the rookery.
Coordinator(s) - Barry & Patti Clauser 776-9063
Depart - Meet at Cracker Barrel SR 64 and I-75 at 7:00 a.m.

SAT APR 2, 2011 - Felts Nature Days

Description - Come celebrate spring at Felts, native plant sale, classes on birding,
butterflies, photography, events for the kids, and food.

SUN. APR 10, 2011 - Ft. Desoto

Description - Search for migrants at this hottest birding spot on the west coast
Coordinator(s) - Steve Black 376-0110
Depart - Meet at the first rest area after the tollbooth on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
( I275) 8:00 a.m.

TUE. APR 12, 2011 - Emerson Point Preserve

Description - 2 hr. walk

Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center at 8:30 a.m. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto

TUE APR 19, 2011 - Ft. Desoto

Description - John Ginaven leads us to find migrants at this wonderful birding spot.
Coordinator(s) - John Ginaven 383-5133
Depart - Meet at the first rest area after the tollbooth on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge ( I
275) at 8:00 a.m.

MON-MON APR 25 – MAY 2, 2011 - International trip to Canopy Tower

Lodge-Panama
Description - On the weeklong trip to the lodge we will search for some of the 592
tropical birds that have been seen. Your room will be some 40 ft from the tree tops where
these birds perch throughout the day.
Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer 504-0228
Notes - Space is limited to 16 so make your reservation early.

SAT MAY 14, 2011 - Butterfly Walk

Description - Join Fred Allen at Felts for a walk to locate and identify the species that
visit Felts.
Coordinator(s) - Join Fred Allen 723-604
Depart - Meet at Felts - 4600 24th Ave. E. Palmetto 9:00 a.m.

Past Field Trips

SATURDAY OCT. 9, 2010 - Duette Preserve

Description - Come bird by car to try for new life bird. Possible birds on this trip,
Florida. scrub jay, red-headed woodpecker, kestrels and more.
Coordinator(s) - Dan Irizarry 305-582-5786
Depart - Meet at Cracker Barrel SR. 64 and I-75 at 7:30 a.m.

TUESDAY OCT. 12, 2010 - Emerson Point Preserve

Description - 2 hour walk

Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center at 8:30 a.m. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto

FRIDAY & SATURDAY OCT. 22-23, 2010 - Audubon Assembly – St.

Petersburg

Description - Register now!

TUESDAY OCT. 26, 2010 - Laurel Landfill

Description - Bird by car as we check out this very birdy landfill.

Coordinator(s) - Barry & Patti Clauser 776-9063
Depart - Meet at Cracker Barrel SR 64 and I-75 at 7:30 a.m.

Manatee County Audubon Society

http://www.manateeaudubon.org