Monday, October 16, 10am - Bird Walk: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
RSVPs REQUESTED
Map to Washington Oaks Gardens SP (meet in the first parking lot on right)

Lush formal gardens, trails through coastal scrub and hammock habitats plus beach and river views provide many opportunities for birdwatching. We expect to see warblers, raptors and wading birds. We will also talk briefly about the Christmas Bird Count for anyone interested in participating this December.

eBird: 219 species

Cost: park entry fee (unless you have a park pass) - pay at the gate
Accessibility: low - soft paths, some walking on grass or beach possible. Plenty of benches.

Monday November 13, 10am - Bird Walk: Long Creek Nature Preserve
RSVPs REQUESTED
Map to Long Creek Nature Preserve

Partner event with Wild Birds Unlimited of Palm Coast. Long Creek is a very short walk, but has a lot of great bird activity! We will spend time standing on the boardwalk watching the various wading birds, raptors, woodpeckers and smaller birds landing nearby. We will also view the intracoastal on one side of the park. Note there is no bathroom at this location but there is a gas station with a bathroom very close by.

eBird: 116 species
Accessibility: includes short sidewalk, boardwalk and a short shell path. 

Friday December 15 (CHANGED DATE), all day - Christmas Bird Count

Join us in the 123rd CBC, the largest and longest running citizen science survey in the world! Teams of experienced birders are responsible for covering designated sections of the county. Must sign up to participate in advance. Contact flagleraudubon@gmail.com for more info.

January 16-18, all day - Little Big Trip: Jekyll Island (MEMBERS ONLY)
TICKETS REQUIRED (access code: membership email)

The “Little Big Trip” is a furious few days of birding (not for the faint of heart) around Jekyll Island and surrounding area.

Leaders:  Sue Killeen  mypuffins@gmail.com   610-888-6950  &   Ann Bradley     cate53027@mypacs.net  301-569-0445 

Cost: $20/person. Does not include entry fees, meals, transportation, parking, or hotel (see below). Only 15 tickets available.  Members, the access code is your email address. Reserve your spot here.

Lodgings:  Villas by the Sea Resort and Conference Center (about 1 mile from the Driftwood Beach).  Call to make your reservations.  To make a reservation with the 10% discount, please call 912-635-2521 and mention group code 542841.  All major credit cards accepted. Cash, Pre-Paid Cards, and Personal Checks are not accepted forms of payment.  All Standard & Group Rate reservations require an advance deposit equal to the first night + taxes & fees.  No refund of deposit on cancellations made within 3 days prior to arrival on all Standard or Group rate reservations.

Check all of the rooms at    https://vbtsresv.com/irmng/#/   There are several room options from hotel suites and mini-suites up to a 3 bedroom Villa. Towels & bed linens, bathroom toiletries, and welcome coffee are provided upon arrival.  The hotel suites have a small fridge and microwave and the villas all have full kitchens. 

Additional fees: 

1. Parking in Jekyll Island $10/day.  https://www.jekyllisland.com/visiting/parking/

2. Need to purchase a fishing license to bird at any GA WMA.  Two consecutive days for Jan 17 & 18  will be around $16.50pp.  These can be purchased on line ahead of the trip   https://georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes

3. Remember to also bring your America the Beautiful Interagency Passes or Duck Pass.

Itinerary is subject to change, but may include:     (All birding locations are eBird Hot Spots)

Jan 16

·       Meet at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center 10am

·       Spend the day birding around Jekyll Island

·       Picnic lunch at Saint Andrews Picnic Area or Clam Creek Picnic Area

·       Check-in is between 4 and 6 pm

·       Dinner at the Driftwood Bistro at the Villas (they take no reservations)

·       Depending on weather, photography at Driftwood Beach

Jan 17

·       Paulks Pasture WMA.    This location is inland and birds to look for include Sparrows (Henslow’s, Field, and White-throated), Hairy Woodpeckers, Bobwhites, and Winter Wrens

·       Lunch at Mack's Bar-be-cue  (6876 New Jesup Hwy, Brunswick, GA 31523)

·       Andrews Island Causeway

·       Saint Simons Island--Goulds Inlet

·       Depending on weather photography at Driftwood Beach (alternate date)

Jan 18

·       Check-out

·       Harris Neck NWR  ducks and harriers and waders

·       Picnic lunch

·       Altamaha WMA -Butler Island & Champney Island  more Ducks  

·       If you have not had enough birding stop at the Crooked River State Park on the way home ($5/vehicle)

There is a Circle K gas station on the island on the main entry/exit road.  I believe there is a Tesla Destination Charger at the Overview Beach Park.

Some approximate drive times:  ( all depending on traffic)

• Palm Coast to Jekyll Island  (~165 miles) 2+ hours

• Jekyll Island to Paulks Pasture WMA (~30 miles) 40 min

• Altamaha to Palm Coast (~140 miles) 2+ hr

• Altamaha to Crooked River SP (~52miles) ~1hr

• Crooked River SP to Palm Coast (~110 miles) ~2 hr

Monday January 22, 8am (all day) - Field Trip: Cruickshank Sanctuary
RSVPs REQUESTED
Meet at 8am at the Palm Coast Walmart (L side of parking lot) to caravan. Map to Cruickshank Sanctuary

The best place to see Florida Scrub-Jays, our mascot! This easy 1.1mi trail in Rockledge, Florida loops through 140 acres of scrub forest. There are no restrooms at this location; we will stop at the rest stop on I-95 on the way in. If time allows, we will later proceed to sites within Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (likely Pumphouse Road or Peacock’s Pocket). Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks, and we will indulge in a late lunch (pay-on-your-own) at Dixie Crossroads.

Learn more about this trail at Florida Hikes

eBird: 161 species
Accessibility: low - walking on gravel and sand likely

Monday February 19, 10am - Bird Walk: Malacompra Park
RSVPs REQUESTED
Map to Malacompra Park

MalaCompra Park is a beachfront park that provides access to coquina rock formations on the coast. There is plenty of parking, and restrooms. We will watch for gulls, terns, dolphins and more.

eBird: 63 species
Accessibility: low - walking on sand likely

Monday March 18, 8am
RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY MARCH 23, 8AM - Bird Walk: Masters Tract Treatment Wetlands
RSVPs REQUESTED
Meet at 8am at the Palm Coast Walmart (L side of parking lot) to carpool/caravan.

Treatment wetlands improve water quality and attract an incredible diversity of birds. Bring: shoes you don’t mind getting wet or dirty, sunscreen, bug spray, water, binoculars if you have them. There are no restrooms or water fountains at this location. 

eBird: 215 species
Accessibility: low - walking on grass, possibly wading through grass if not recently mowed.

Monday April 15, 10am - Bird Walk: Waterfront Park
RSVPs REQUESTED
Map to Waterfront Park

This park offers scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway. We will look for warblers in the trees, gulls and wading birds in the water, and raptors overhead. April is a great time for spring migration.

eBird: 117 species
Accessibility: paved trail (and optional short sand trail)