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Field Trips for 2008-2009The Public is Invited!Note schedule changes January thru March!Sunday, September 28, 2008 -- Pancakes and Scrub-Jays!Join your Audubon friends in making your own hearty pancake breakfast on the table-top griddles at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant at DeLeon Springs State Park near DeLand. Then we will travel the short distance to Lyonia Preserve for a hike with endangered Florida Scrub-Jays and other scrub denizens. We can expect to see many of the plants in bloom! Saturday, October 18, 2008 -- Saddle Creek ParkHike this unique forested trail on the site of a reclaimed former phosphate mine! Many migrating fall warblers, other woodlands species, and wading birds can be seen. The hike is about 3 miles total with a few gentle slopes. Bring water, binoculars, and bug spray. Bring snacks or lunch; we will eat after the hike at the park's picnic area. We will meet up with Lake Region Audubon folks that conduct "Warbler Walks" this time of year. There will be some warbler experts in the bunch!Sunday, November 9, 2008 -- Oakland Nature PreserveThis new preserve near Lake Apopka is a great example of habitat restoration. There are scrub and sandhill areas as well as a boardwalk across wetlands to the lake. As of last April 152 bird species had been seen there. Join KVAS as we explore the preserve. Sunday, December 7, 2008 -- Merritt Island National Wildlife RefugeWe will look for numerous water bird species in their salt marsh habitats on the Black Point Wildlife Drive, go to the Manatee viewing area, and hike a short trail in a dry scrub area looking for Florida Scrub Jays and other inhabitants. Afterwards, we will have a late lunch at famous seafood restaurant Dixie Crossroads in Titusville. Saturday, December 27, 2008 -- Christmas Bird CountNot exactly a field trip, but more! We have numerous teams that spread out close to home to count birds from sunrise to sunset as part of an annual Audubon Society citizen science and conservation project throughout the western hemisphere. This is the 109th year! Sunday, January 25, 2009 -- Viera WetlandsBrevard County's Viera Wetlands is actually part of a waste water treatment facility. They use man-made wetlands of several kinds (lakes, marshes, etc.) to absorb remaining nutrients so the water can be released into the environment. The water in these stages is actually quite clean and the birds and other wildlife love it. Most of our birding will probably be from our cars, as you can drive on the berms.Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 -- Orlando Wetlands Park FestivalNot an organized field trip, but we will have a literature table at this interesting event at this man-made wetland habitat in Christmas, Florida. There are numerous hikes and activities throughout the day. The wildlife can be spectacular. Sunday, February 15, 2009 -- Hal Scott PreserveThis expanse of pine flatwoods and open prairies straddles the Econlockhatchee River. Resident species include Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bluebirds, Bachman's Sparrows, and Wood Ducks. This will be our first time visiting this preserve! Sunday, March 15, 2009 -- Disney Wilderness PreserveJoin KVAS on a rare Sunday tour of this preserve that is becoming a widely known example of habitat restoration.Sunday, April 26, 2009 -- Joe Overstreet Landing & Three Lakes Wildlife Management AreaOn Joe Overstreet Road, Whooping Cranes, Sandhill Cranes, Swallow-tailed Kites, and Crested Caracaras are possible, and at Lake Kissimmee (the “Landing”), we may see Bald Eagles, Snail Kites, and lots of wading birds. Three Lakes WMA provides several habitats to see Flycatchers, Meadowlarks, Bluebirds, and perhaps Red-cockaded Woodpeckers! Email: Kissimmee Valley Audubon Society or the Webmaster |