Tampa Christmas Bird Count
2025-01-04 | FL
This year we will participate in the National Audubon Society’s 125th Christmas Bird Count! We will be out hooting for owls in the pre-dawn dark and counting every bird that we can find in the TAS sector. Participants do not have to join in all day—we welcome everyone to come and help count for whatever portion of the day that you can! If you live in our count area, you can even just report the species that you see from your home!
Contact trip leader Mary Keith at mary.keith@tampaaudubon.org to join in Tampa Audubon’s Sector.
To join the count not in Tampa Audubon’s sector contact David Bowman dsbowman4@verizon.net
Important! Pre-registration is required. Please do not attend this or any Tampa Audubon Society events if you have flu, cold, or covid symptoms. Tampa Audubon is committed to reducing the spread of illnesses. The health and safety of our members is of the highest priority.
Click here to find more information on the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count: Join the Christmas Bird Count | Audubon
Click here to find all of the CBC count areas. Click on an area to get details: https://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ac275eeb01434cedb1c5dcd0fd3fc7b4
For a PBS Video about the Christmas Bird County go to Counting On Birds | PBS

Bird Walk at Boyd Hill
2024-09-07 08:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join the St. Petersburg Audubon Society for a birdwatching hike at Boyd Hill, where you’ll spot a variety of native species while learning about their habits and habitats.
Perfect for bird enthusiasts of all levels! Binoculars are available for loan.
All ages welcome with a registered adult.

>>> REGISTER HERE

Sunday Bird Hike
2025-01-05 08:00 - 09:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Come out for this “early morning” walk in the woods.
Come out for this “early morning” walk in the woods with Alexa, our awesome volunteer, to seek out the resident and visiting birds of Brooker. Beginners and all levels of birders welcome. Meet in the parking lot at 8:00 a.m.
This is a free hike, however space is limited. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Beginning Bird Walk at LLP
2025-01-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
Important! Pre-registration is required and participation is limited to the first 10 people who sign up.
Please do not attend this or any Tampa Audubon Society events if you have flu, cold, or covid symptoms. Tampa Audubon is committed to reducing the spread of illnesses. The health and safety of our members is of the highest priority.
Entrance fee for park $2. Meet in the parking lot by the Visitor’s Center in Lettuce Lake Park at 8:30 a.m. We’ll walk the boardwalk or trails, depending on where the best birds are. We have binoculars to loan, and someone will have a spotting scope so you can get up really close and personal! Bring water and a snack.
RSVP to field trip leader, Jim Hengelbrok at jimhengelbrok@gmail.com

Wading Birds Photography Tour
2025-01-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Search for wading birds along the coast of Weedon Island and learn wildlife photography techniques.

This tour is for photographers and bird enthusiasts of all skill levels. A brief classroom session before the tour will teach participants about the wading birds found at the Preserve, as well as nature photography techniques specific to the wildlife and seasonal variations of Weedon Island.
The total hike length will be between 1 to 2 miles on natural paths and boardwalks so please dress and prepare accordingly.
This tour is for adults and youth ages 10+. Youth must be supervised by an adult.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Owls, Hawks, Falcons, Oh My!
2025-01-17 15:30 - 17:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 8 yrs – 12 yrs
Join the St. Petersburg Audubon in exploring our apex predators: RAPTORS!
Participants will have the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet, and with the assistance of charts, identify the prey species the owl dined on.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve
2025-01-19 07:30 - 11:30 | Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve, 2469 Patrinostro Road, Plant City, FL, 33565, United States
Located north of Plant City, the Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve (BCNP) is a 2,200-acre site maintained by Hillsborough County. BCNP is mostly flat and the trail is a mixture of grass and sand. While there are several stands of long leaf pines and cypress heads, the trail is mostly unshaded and generally follows the edges of several wide fields. We plan on hiking the red trail, which includes a short walk down to the namesake creek.
The total length of our walk is approximately 4.1 miles. Please wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen if needed. There are no restrooms at BCNP, so plan accordingly.
Birds commonly seen at BCNP during February include Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Towhees, and assorted Warblers. Less common sightings include Northern Harriers and Bachman’s Sparrows. Given the large fields and open views, 10X binoculars will come in handy, but 8X will be fine.

Important! Pre-registration is required and participation is limited. Important! Pre-registration is required, and participation is limited. Please do not attend this or any Tampa Audubon Society events if you have flu, cold, or covid symptoms. Tampa Audubon is committed to reducing the spread of illnesses. The health and safety of our members is of the highest priority.

Please RSVP to field trip leader Logan Lane at logan.lane@tampaaudubon.org

Photography Bird Walk - Roosevelt Wetlands
2025-03-09 08:00 - 10:00 | Roosevelt Wetlands, 0853 43rd St. N, Clearwater, FL, 33765, United States
Field Trip Leaders: Joel Conrad, Will Laurie, and Jason Guerrero (Conservation Leadership Initiative Student)
Location: Roosevelt Wetlands
0853 43rd St. N. (43rd and 110th Ave N.), Clearwater, FL 33765. Meet at the entrance on 43rd St. There is a small unpaved parking lot that only can handle 3 or 4 cars; more parking is along 43rd. The trip will entail walking 1-2 miles or more on packed dirt trails. We will be looking for birds to photograph and will share our photos later.
What to bring: Binoculars/cameras, Hat, Sunscreen, Water, Insect Repellant.
There are no restroom facilities.

Walk Chinsegut Wildlife & Environmental Area
2025-03-12 07:30 - 10:30 | Chinsegut Conservation Center, 23212 Lake Lindsey Road, Brooksville, FL, 34601, United States
Meet at the parking lot at the intersection of Snow Memorial Highway and US-41, Brooksville, FL 34601. It’s 6 miles north of Brooksville. Bring water, snacks, and lunch if you want.

We’ll walk about 4 miles in to view the May’s Prairie wetland and back out. It’s a wide, well-kept trail, with lots of birds! Red-headed Woodpeckers and Barred Owls were the stars on our last walk, and warblers, thrushes, and wading birds should be around in good numbers.

There is a picnic table by the parking lot, so if you bring lunch we can eat there when we’re done.
Leader Mary.keith@tampaaudubon.org 813-767-5863

Important! Pre-registration is required, and participation is limited. Please do not attend this or any Tampa Audubon Society events if you have flu, cold, or covid symptoms. Tampa Audubon is committed to reducing the spread of illnesses. The health and safety of our members is of the highest priority.

Colony Watch Training TBP
2025-03-15 10:00 - 11:30 | FL
Jeff Liechty, Audubon Florida’s Coastal Islands Sanctuaries staff, and William Laurie, Project Colony Watch Coordinator, will conduct Colony Watch Training March 15, 10 am in Brandon.

During the training, you’ll learn how to identify nesting birds and survey your local bird nesting colony. Reports help inform local and state managers and protect wading bird populations.

For more information and the location, contact William.laurie@tampaaudubon.org

Community Science Using eBird
2025-03-18 19:00 - 20:30 | ZOOM, United States
Speaker: Alli Smith, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Everyone can contribute to science, even on a local scale! Alli Smith will tell us about eBird, how to navigate the app, and the way scientists can use this data for conservation.
Location: Zoom (click here to register)

The Story of Swallow-Tailed Kites & the People Who Track Them
2025-04-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us to learn about these aerial acrobats!
Swallow-tailed Kites that breed in North America spend most of their lives on the wing traveling over vast distances. It is a treacherous journey at a treacherous time for this neo-tropical species that breeds primarily in the southern states, with Florida being their primary breeding grounds. They are highly social birds with intricate lives and are among one of the most beautiful birds in the world. People have tracked them from the ground, from the water, from the air and with tracking devices to study their migratory patterns, their life cycles and their social habits.
Join Barbara Walker of the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue for this enlightening, photographic enriched program AND meet a live Kite!
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

In Your Backyard Screech Owl Nest Boxes
2025-04-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
WHOOOO’s Home? Discover the amazing world of Screech Owls and help support local wildlife by building your very own owl nest box! In this engaging workshop, participants will learn about the importance of owls in our ecosystem, their unique characteristics, and how these nest boxes provide essential housing. Through hands-on building, kids and their adults will gain practical skills while fostering a love for nature. Each family (up to four people) will get one nest box.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Nest Box Building Workshop
2025-04-12 10:30 - 12:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us for an in-person workshop to “make and take” a nest box for your yard!
Want to help our local cavity nesters?
Learn how to build your very own nest box for an Eastern Bluebird!
In this workshop you will learn about proper nest box placement and mounting, additional information specific to the nesting habits of Eastern Bluebirds, and other fun facts about this species!
We will be building a nest box for an Eastern Bluebird, which is a year-round resident in Pinellas County.
Registration is required. Presented by Lara Milligan, Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Birds of Prey
2024-06-22 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Meet the animal ambassadors of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve!
Several LIVE birds of prey will be used to illustrate aspects of predator-prey relationships, adaptations that ensure success as predators, and their role in maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems. The basic natural history of each species is also discussed along with the impact of humans on their habitats and populations. Great for all ages!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Senior Artisans
2025-04-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 50 yrs +
It’s never too late to try out a new art form! Led by local artist Francine Michel. Explore the preserve by tram and create a piece of art based on nature.
All materials are provided.
Feel free to bring your own sketchbook and camera.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Artist Reception & Program: Photography by Karl & Kathleen Nichter
2025-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Karl and Kathleen Nichter are the unofficial Photo Laureates of Brooker Creek Preserve. For over twenty years they have been dedicated volunteers and photographers at Brooker Creek Preserve teaching classes and giving hikes on nature photography. To honor their collaborative career, the FOBCP is pleased to showcase their work with a retrospective exhibition of photography taken in the Preserve.
To support the Friends group, the Nichter’s are offering the sale of their images in the show with a 50% donations back to the FOBCP.
The reception is free and open to the public. Come enjoy the art and support the artists!
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

The Importance of Native Plants & Trees for Birds & Butterflies
2025-05-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Palma Sola Botanical Garden, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Part of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ collection

Learn why it’s important to use native plants for wildlife!
Join us to learn about Florida native plants and trees to add to your landscape to help support these beautiful creatures who are losing habitat and need our help!
>>> GET TICKETS

Tampa Audubon Social
2025-06-05 18:30 - 19:00 | FL
Tres Amigos Cantina
https://www.tresamigosbrandon.net/
2025 W Brandon Blvd
Brandon, FL 33511
Hillsborough County is home to over 200 species of birds during parts of the year, numerous mammals and herpe to fauna, and many lovely native plants, including rare orchids. We hope you’ll join us as we explore the great outdoors!
Our field trips are open to the public, to anyone interested in birds, nature and being outdoors. Pets and smoking are prohibited. Individual field trips will state approximate length of trip (i.e., half day, all day, 1 mile, 6 miles) and degree of difficulty. The monthly walk in Lettuce Lake Park on the second Saturday of each month is a great introduction for beginning birders.

Morning Nature Walk Starkey Park
2025-06-07 07:30 - 11:30 | J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center, 10500 Wilderness Road, New Port Richey, FL, 34655, United States
Pasco Audubon
Meet 7:30 AM
Starkey Education Center
1 to 4 mile walk
Anyone interested in birding or nature in general is welcome to join us on field trips.
Almost all are free. Registration may be required, check the schedule for details.
Dress for the weather and prepare to be outdoors for about 4 hours.
For more info email Christine Rowland

Ospreys
2025-06-08 15:30 - 16:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join Ranger Dave in exploring everything all about Ospreys, a common sight here at Boyd Hill.
Learn how the Osprey, a specialized bird of prey, has turned from the road to extinction to become an icon of Florida’s waterways.
For All Ages.
Register here

Egmont Key Sanctuary Tour
2025-06-14 16:30 - 20:30 | FL
Egmont Key Sanctuary Tour by boat with the Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges
Saturday June 14th 2024, 4:30-8:30pm approximate return (rain date Sunday Sat June 2)
Meet at the Bay Pier next to the Dog Park, 27.616871, -82.726690.
Reservations and prepayment required
Join us for our eleventh annual tour of the Egmont Key Bird Sanctuary Tour with a stop at the Ft Dade ruins, Lighthouse, and hopefully a Black Skimmer colony. The Egmont Key Ferry will take us around the south tip of Egmont Key to see the areas where birds are nesting. (These areas are not accessible by foot and only seen by visitors with boats). The chicks from our Laughing gulls, Royal terns, & Sandwich terns should be out on the beaches exploring. Brown Pelicans, White ibis, and American Oystercatchers can also nest on the islands.
Space is limited and this event sells out quickly.
Send your reservation to TampaBayRefuges@msn.com Wait for confirmation then send payment via credit card on PayPal or mail.
Credit card on PayPal: www.tampabayrefuges.org click Get Involved, then Donate. Enter One-Time and the amount, then click Donate with Debit or Credit Card and follow instructions.
Your space will be secure based on a first come first served basis AND receipt of payment. You will receive a confirmation email for your payment.
Mail: FTBNWR, PO Box 40782, St Petersburg, FL 33743-0782
Cost:

Members of Friends of the Tampa Bay NWR $35 each (includes tip for boat crew)
Individual Guests or non-members $50 each. You will receive a 1-year individual membership.
Family of 2 guests or non-members $95. You will receive a 1-year family membership. Additional family members add $35 ea.

Make checks payable to Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges, PO Box 40782, St Petersburg, FL 33743-0782.
Reservations and Payment must be received by Saturday June 7 .
Questions: call Barb Howard at 727 512-4914 or email TampaBayRefuges@msn.com
