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 2017-Sept 2018 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. Exception noted below.
– Refunds for trips costing more than $10.00 are subject to a $10.00 cancellation fee. Exception noted below.
– 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.
– Exception: If a 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 2017/2018 Field Trips and Events
Monday, October 30, 2017
TRIPLE CREEK WAGON TOUR
Riverview
Visit Triple Creek, a new park and enjoy the fall colors (wildflowers and fauna) of Hillsborough County with Andy Fairbanks, Environmental Outreach Coordinator for Hillsborough County. Explore this 971 acre tract by tram (a mix of wetland and upland habitats, including pine flatwoods, wetland forests, and improved pasture areas). It is home to many rare species of plants including flakelet fern and grass-pink orchids. The diverse habitats ensure a wide variety of butterflies and other pollinators. Meet at KPCH at 8:00 AM. Cost $8.00. Limit 20 people for the tram. Trip leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
LETTUCE LAKE WITH MARY KEITH
Tampa
Birding on the boardwalk with Mary Keith, an expert birder and president of Tampa Audubon. Afterwards join us for lunch at Bob Evans. Meet at 8:00 AM at KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
EMERSON POINT PRESERVE
Palmetto
Wear your water shoes and get wet up to your knees as we explore the waters of Emerson Point close up. A nature interpreter will provide all nets, containers, buckets, etc. so that we can view our finds. Meet at 8:00 AM at KPCH. Limit 25. Cost: $10.00. Lunch at your expense to follow at Woody’s in Ellenton. Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
SUN CITY CENTER NATURE TRAIL
Sun City Center
Discover the new nature trail in Sun City Center with John Lampkin, one of the organizers of the trail. He will take us on a hike through the nature trail pointing out all the birds, bugs and plants. Meet at 9:30 AM at the KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
VISIT SEGREST FARMS
Apollo Beach
Join us on a visit to Segrest Farms which is the industry leader for wholesale ornamental fish, supplying pet stores, public aquariums, and research institutions since 1961. Meet at 12:15 PM at the KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
ECOTOUR OF BABCOCK RANCH PRESERVE
Punta Gorda
Tour this former cattle ranch in an open bus and then enjoy lunch (included) prepared by their cracker chef. Optional drive via I75 in the afternoon to the Peace River bird rehab facility. A $5.00 donation per person is expected there. Lots of birds to see either in rehab or permanent residents. Meet at 7:15 AM at the KPCH. Limit: 40. Cost $40.00. Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
CIRCLE B BAR PRESERVE
Lakeland
One of our favorite birding trips. A naturalist guided two-hour tram ride through upland habitat, marshlands and water ponds. We will go rain or shine, but not thunderstorm. Lunch at Fred’s Market Restaurant, Lakeland. Meet 8:30 AM at KPCH. Limit 25 people. Cost $7.00. Trip leader: Frank Quale 952-412-6367.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
BIRDING AT FELTS AUDUBON PRESERVE AND EMERSON POINT
Palmetto
Famous for its sightings of Painted and Indigo Buntings, Felts is a nearby favorite. After exploring Felts, we will drive a short distance to Emerson Point Preserve where we take a quick look around the pond before lunch at your expense at Anna Maria Oyster Bar in Ellenton. Meet 8:00 AM at KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall.413-364-6948.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
CELERY FIELDS
Sarasota
Join Linda Pacarelli, Sarasota environmental coordinator, will give a brief talk on the Celery Fields, and then take us on the boardwalk to view the birds. Wintertime offers particularly good birding, hosting sparrows, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, and several species of rails, including Sora and Virginia. The Fields also host breeding birds, including Black-necked Stilts, King Rail, Least Bittern, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Eastern Towhee, Barn Owl and Eastern Meadowlark. Least Terns breed on nearby buildings and use the ponds as a primary food source. Sarasota Audubon volunteers will be available with scopes to help with viewing the birds. Lunch at your expense at Culvers. Meet at 7:45 AM at KPCH. Cost $3.00. Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Wednesday February 28 to Thursday March 1, 2018
2-DAY TRIP
Enjoy an airboat ride on Lake Kissimmee where an expert birder will point out the birds and wild life. Afterwards visit the winery near Lake Placid and taste four kinds of wine while listening to music and watching nesting Eagles flying overhead. They also offer U-pick strawberries plus we will indulge in a homemade strawberry dessert. We will visit Lake Placid and see the famous Lake Placid murals before heading to the Jacaranda Hotel for dinner and relaxation. Day 2 will include touring Highland Hammocks State Park by tram followed by lunch at The Boat in the Moat and a tour of Solomon’s Castle and the new car museum. Further information will be available at the October meeting with sign up. Cost $185.00 Limit 16. Trip Leaders: Don and Liz Grozis and Donna Blaha
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
BIRDING AT MYAKKA RIVER ST PARK AND THE VENICE ROOKERY
Sarasota and Venice
One of the oldest and largest state parks, Myakka protects one of the state’s most diverse natural areas. Enjoy wildlife and bird viewing at Upper Myakka Lake from the boardwalk with the assistance of a bird naturalist. Next stop is 35 minutes south at Venice the Rookery to see how the nesting season is going. Cameras are a must. Limit 25. Lunch is at your expense at The Casey Key Fish House. Meet at 7:45 AM at KPCH. Cost $6.00 Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
ROCK PONDS PRESERVE
Sun City
Brant Henningsen, our March speaker on Rock Ponds restoration, will lead us on a tour of the ongoing restoration of the Rock Ponds Preserve which is located south of Cockroach Bay. Join us for lunch at Popi’s Place III at your expense. Meet at 8:00 AM at KPCH. Cost $3.00 Trip Leader: Don Grozis 642-0434.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
NATURE OF CAPE CORAL BUS TOUR
Cape Coral
After a drive to Rotary Park in Cape Coral, we will board a bus at 8:00 AM for a 4-hour tour during which we will see the areas burrowing owls, manatees, scrub jays and whatever else is visible of interest. The Burrowing owls should have young visible outside their burrows at this time. Meet at 5:45AM at KPCH. Limit 19. Cost $25.00. Lunch TBA. Trip Leader: Anne Whitehall 413-364-6948.
FLORIDA’S BURROWING OWLS
Averaging nine inches in height, with no ear tuffs, and unusually long legs, the Burrowing Owl is one of our smallest owls. They occur throughout the state but only in spotty locations. Cape Coral Florida has the most with around 1000 pairs. They inhabit cleared areas including pastures, ball fields, airports, and lots in residential areas. Often residents will make a burrow and are encouraged to make a T perch near it. If you see an owl bobbing and chattering, it is disturbed.
They are active both day and night and often seen standing near their burrows. Often they will use existing burrows but sometimes they dig their own. They occupy the burrows year round. Their breeding season is February thru July.
6-12 eggs are laid and the young stay with their parents for 12 weeks. They eat insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, small lizards, frogs, snakes, rodents, birds and for nearby homeowners most important: roaches! This may be why homeowners will make a burrow in their yards.
They are protected by the Federal Migratory Treaty Act and classified as State Threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Article credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Image credit: S Hunter Spenceley
