EAGLE AUDUBON SOCIETY
MEMBERSHIP, FIELD TRIPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
2018-2019
Membership: Meetings are open to all, but membership is necessary for participation in any EAS field trip or special event. The fee is $10.00 and covers the Oct 2018-Sept 2019 season.
Reservations: Reservations for field trips currently open may be made at our monthly meetings. Season membership receipt or current membership card must be presented when signing up for any trip. Minimum charge for all trips (excepting those to the Butterfly Habitat or Window-in-the-Woods) is $3.00. Payment of trip cost is due at the time of sign up. Leaders for each trip will suggest passenger’s gratuity to drivers, but gratuities are not included in trip costs.
Trip Refund Policy:
No refunds for trips costing $10.00 or less. Refunds for trips costing more than $10.00 are subject to a $10.00 cancellation fee. If an individual’s cancellation results in a reduction of the number of participants needed to obtain group rates, no refund will be made to that individual.
Exceptions: If any trip must be cancelled for all participants by its EAS leader due to weather or venue emergency, requested refunds will be available at the next meeting. Mailed refunds will be subject to a small handling fee.
Overnight trips have a special policy for refunds.
General recommendations for trips: walking shoes, cameras, binoculars, water, sun screen. Eagle Audubon will not be responsible for personal injuries or losses incurred by anyone while taking part in its activities.
Please be prompt. We are not able to wait for latecomers.
Eagle Audubon 2018/2019 Field Trips and Events
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
GUIDED TOUR OF SUNKEN GARDENS
St. Petersburg
We will take a 1½ hour guided tour of the plants of the Sunken Gardens. The Sunken Gardens is one of the gems of St. Petersburg dating back to the early 1900’s. We will eat lunch next door at Carrabba’s Grill. Lunch is at your expense. Meet at 8:45 AM at KPCH. Cost $11.00. Limit 25 people. Trip leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
BIRDING WITH MARY KEITH AT LETTUCE LAKE
Tampa
Birding on the boardwalk with Mary Keith, an expert birder and president of Tampa Audubon. Afterwards join us for lunch at Bob Evans at your expense. Meet at 8:00 AM at KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
CELERY FIELDS
Sarasota
Fall birding at this birding hot spot. Sarasota Audubon volunteers will be available with scopes to assist us. Planned are visits to both boardwalks and an optional climbing of the “mountain” for a great view. Lunch follows at your expense at the nearby Der Dutchman Restaurant. Meet at 8:00 AM at KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
TAMPA BAY WATCH BIRDING BOAT TRIP
Sarasota
Eric Plage, an excellent birder will take us on an 1½ hour boat tour of Tampa Bay. We will have a half hour introduction about programs of Tampa Bay Watch followed by a tour of the bay. Lunch at the Island Grill at your expense. Meet at 8:15 AM at KPCH. Limit 25. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
GUIDED TOUR OF TECO MANATEE VIEWING AREA
Apollo Beach
Stan Kroh, our October speaker, will give us a 2-hour guided tour of the Teco viewing area. We will visit the new additions that were discussed in October. Visit the stingrays and manatees and hopefully be able to tour the new Turtle Care building. Lunch TBA. Meet at 8:30 AM at the KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
CIRCLE B BAR PRESERVE
Lakeland
One of our favorite birding field trips. A naturalist guided two-hour tram ride through oak hammocks, hardwood swamp, fresh water marshlands, ponds and lake. We will go rain or shine, but not if a thunderstorm is likely. Lunch at Fred’s Market Restaurant, Lakeland. Meet 8:30 AM at KPCH.
Cost: $7.00. Limit 24 people. Trip leader: Frank Quale, 952-412-6367.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
BIRDING AT BAHIA BEACH NATURE PRESERVE
This one is right in the neighborhood on Shell Point Road in Ruskin. Bahia Beach Nature Preserve was purchased by Hillsborough County under the environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Act (ELAPP). Amid a rapidly developing urban area, it’s restoration area consists of new wetlands created for the purpose of enhancing wildlife and aquatic habitat. Wading birds, ducks, bald eagles, hawks and shore birds offer great viewing opportunities. Hiking is quite easy on a 1½ mile dirt trail that is non-loop, in-and-out. Lunch is on your own at Ybor Grille in Ruskin. Meet at 9:00 AM at the KPCH. Limit 25. Cost: $3.00. Trip Leaders: John and Julie Stockdale. 727-418-5119.
Monday, February 11, 2019
BIRDING AT ROCK PONDS
Ruskin
A return birding trip to the Rock Ponds Preserve contingent on the park being open to the public. Lunch at your expense at Beanie’s. Meet 8:00 AM at KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
ROBINSON PRESERVE
Bradenton
This Manatee County Preserve is 487 acres of mud flats, mangrove swamps and beaches. A guided wagon tour will hopefully include eagle sightings along the way. Outstanding views of the surrounding preserves and waters await after a short walk to the observation tower. Lunch at your expense at The Riverhouse Reef and Grill across the Manatee River in Palmetto. Meet at 8:00 AM at the KPCH. Limit 20. Cost $10.00. Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK
Sarasota
One of the oldest and largest of Florida’s State parks, Myakka protects one of the state’s most diverse natural areas. First, we visit the “Bird Walk”, a boardwalk that stretches out into Myakka Lake. A tour of the lake follows on one of the world’s largest airboats. Lunch to TBA. Meet at 7:30 AM at the KPCH. Cost TBA. Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
Friday, March 22, 2019
RIDE THE TECO TROLLEY WITH A GUIDED TOUR OF THEIR MUSEUM
Tampa
We will board the trolley at the first stop and take it to the museum for a behind the scenes tours of the maintenance facility and museum. We reboard the trolley for a return ride to our starting point. Lunch at your expense at the Columbia Restaurant. Meet at 10:00 AM at KPCH. Limit 25. Cost $6.00 Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Friday, March 29, 2019
RIVERSIDE TOURS MANATEE RIVER
Palmetto
Join us for a fun time on a Manatee River sunset boat tour on our own 30 passenger boat. We sail at 7:00 PM heading west towards the gulf. Bring your own beverages and food/snacks. Meet at Regatta Point Marina at the Riverhouse Reef and Grill dock at 6:30 PM or meet at KPCH at 5:30 PM to carpool. Limit 30. Cost $40.00 includes the tip. Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
LOWER GREEN SWAMP
Plant City
Chris Kidd, a Hillsborough park ranger, will take us on a tram ride of the Lower Green Swamp. On a previous visit swallow tailed kites, a barred owl, a pileated woodpecker, a redbelly woodpecker, a red shouldered hawk, a Carolina wren and eastern blue bird and many more were sighted. Meet at 8:00 AM at the KPCH. Limit 20. Cost $8.00. Lunch TBA. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
FORT DESOTO PARK
Pinellas County
It’s spring migration time and a great time to see many birds at one of the best bird watching locations in the eastern US. Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, Grosbeaks, warblers and hummingbirds…. to name a few. Lunch is at your expense at the Island Grill, Tierra Verde. Meet at 8:00 AM at the KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
