Field Trips and Events
Hernando Audubon Society
Florida nonprofit organization
and a chapter of the
National Audubon Society, Inc.
and a chapter of the
National Audubon Society, Inc.
Hernando Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1678 - Brooksville, FL 34602
hernandoaudubon@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 1678 - Brooksville, FL 34602
hernandoaudubon@yahoo.com
March 2012
Please call the trip leader/event contact to confirm where to meet, start time and other important details about each field trip or event. There is limited space on some trips, so we suggest calling the trip leader at least two weeks in advance to make a reservation. You do not have to be a member to join us on the field trips and there is no fee, but donations are welcome.
This Web page is updated at the end of each month to display an additional month of trips. To download the January through May 2012 schedule, please follow this link: 2012 Schedule (pdf file - 231 KB). (Other local organizations offering nature- and wildlife-related events are listed on our links page.)
Many of our most exciting field trips are during January and February. Four of these trips also involve carpooling for some or all of us. If you carpool with someone, please be mindful of gas expenses and share the cost of the trip with the driver.
This Web page is updated at the end of each month to display an additional month of trips. To download the January through May 2012 schedule, please follow this link: 2012 Schedule (pdf file - 231 KB). (Other local organizations offering nature- and wildlife-related events are listed on our links page.)
Many of our most exciting field trips are during January and February. Four of these trips also involve carpooling for some or all of us. If you carpool with someone, please be mindful of gas expenses and share the cost of the trip with the driver.
Copyright 2010 - 2012 Hernando Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
This website designed and maintained by Horizons Marketing Communications
This website designed and maintained by Horizons Marketing Communications
February 2012
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February 3 - Friday
Lake Apopka Northshore Restoration Area
A new venue for us, this is a rare chance to view this limited access area. We will be guided by Gian Basili of St. John's River Water Management District. Here we will learn the fascinating story of the transition of the area from muck farms in the 1940s, to the purchase in 1990 by SJRWMD to restore these marshes, the White Pelican die-off in 1998, and the continuing restoration of this prime birding area. Anything is possible! Christmas Bird Counts usually exceed 150 species and have included as many as 13 species of sparrows, four species of kingbirds, large numbers of flycatchers, ducks, hawks, etc.
Reservations are mandatory for this trip and carpooling is necessary to limit the number of cars.
We will carpool from Big Lots at U.S. Hwy. 41 and State Road 50 at 7:00 a.m. to arrive at the field station at about 8:30 a.m. Restrooms are available at the field station. Bring lunch because this trip will continue until 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. For additional details
Contact Eileen Riccio: elriccio@yahoo.com
or 352-400-8732
February 4 - Saturday
Weekiwachee Preserve Sparrow Drive
Help Southwest Florida Water Management District officers and researchers from the University of Central Florida search for grasslands birds. There will be transportation into the preserve at 8:00 a.m. To participate in the banding and for details,
Contact: Clay Black: 352-592-4949
February 11 - Saturday
Hernando Big Day Birdathon
A daylong search for birds in the county to help raise funds for Hernando Audubon. Start early and end late, or join in at any time.
Contact Clay Black: 352-592-4949
February 17 - Friday
Honeymoon Island State Park Field Trip
See shorebirds and perhaps a Bald Eagle on a nest. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the first pull-off on the left before the drawbridge along Dunedin Causeway, CR-586. To carpool, meet at 6:15 a.m. at Publix on U.S. 19, south of Spring Hill Drive. State Park entrance fee is $8.00 per vehicle.
Contact Bev Hansen: bevalhansen@earthlink.net
or 352-686-0460
February 25 - Saturday
Weekiwachee Preserve Field Trip
Address: 2121 Osowaw Boulevard, Spring Hill.
Starts at 8:00 a.m.
From State Road 50 go south on U.S. Hwy. 19. Turn west on Osowaw Boulevard. Drive into the preserve to the parking lot at the end of the road. Wooded areas, pine covered sandhills, fresh and salt water marsh and open fields should provide ample bird-watching opportunities on this 2- to 3-mile walk. Bring lunch for a picnic.
Contact Eileen Riccio: elriccio@yahoo.com
or 352-400-8732
Lake Apopka Northshore Restoration Area
A new venue for us, this is a rare chance to view this limited access area. We will be guided by Gian Basili of St. John's River Water Management District. Here we will learn the fascinating story of the transition of the area from muck farms in the 1940s, to the purchase in 1990 by SJRWMD to restore these marshes, the White Pelican die-off in 1998, and the continuing restoration of this prime birding area. Anything is possible! Christmas Bird Counts usually exceed 150 species and have included as many as 13 species of sparrows, four species of kingbirds, large numbers of flycatchers, ducks, hawks, etc.
Reservations are mandatory for this trip and carpooling is necessary to limit the number of cars.
We will carpool from Big Lots at U.S. Hwy. 41 and State Road 50 at 7:00 a.m. to arrive at the field station at about 8:30 a.m. Restrooms are available at the field station. Bring lunch because this trip will continue until 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. For additional details
Contact Eileen Riccio: elriccio@yahoo.com
or 352-400-8732
February 4 - Saturday
Weekiwachee Preserve Sparrow Drive
Help Southwest Florida Water Management District officers and researchers from the University of Central Florida search for grasslands birds. There will be transportation into the preserve at 8:00 a.m. To participate in the banding and for details,
Contact: Clay Black: 352-592-4949
February 11 - Saturday
Hernando Big Day Birdathon
A daylong search for birds in the county to help raise funds for Hernando Audubon. Start early and end late, or join in at any time.
Contact Clay Black: 352-592-4949
February 17 - Friday
Honeymoon Island State Park Field Trip
See shorebirds and perhaps a Bald Eagle on a nest. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the first pull-off on the left before the drawbridge along Dunedin Causeway, CR-586. To carpool, meet at 6:15 a.m. at Publix on U.S. 19, south of Spring Hill Drive. State Park entrance fee is $8.00 per vehicle.
Contact Bev Hansen: bevalhansen@earthlink.net
or 352-686-0460
February 25 - Saturday
Weekiwachee Preserve Field Trip
Address: 2121 Osowaw Boulevard, Spring Hill.
Starts at 8:00 a.m.
From State Road 50 go south on U.S. Hwy. 19. Turn west on Osowaw Boulevard. Drive into the preserve to the parking lot at the end of the road. Wooded areas, pine covered sandhills, fresh and salt water marsh and open fields should provide ample bird-watching opportunities on this 2- to 3-mile walk. Bring lunch for a picnic.
Contact Eileen Riccio: elriccio@yahoo.com
or 352-400-8732
March 6 - Tuesday
Half Moon Wildlife Management Area, northwest Sumter County
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the entrance to Half Moon which is located at the north end of CR 247, off State Road 44 between Inverness and Wildwood. It is approximately 7 miles west of I-75 or just east of the Withlacoochee River if you are coming from Inverness (about 8 miles). Look for brown sign, turn north on CR 247, and go for about 1 mile to entrance. We will meet there and then carpool through the WMA for a guided tour to see the birds and learn about the management of this beautiful property. We may see Northern Bobwhite as well as many other woodland and grassland birds and butterflies.
Bring a light lunch if you wish to stay and walk the 1.3 mile Gateway Loop Trail
Contact Eileen Riccio: elriccio@yahoo.com
or 352-400-8735
March 15 - Thursday
Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area Nature Hike and Buford Springs, northwest Hernando County
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the main entrance to the WMA, west side of U.S.19. about 10 miles north of State Road 50, or 4 miles south of U.S. 98. Look for the brown Florida Park/Forest sign. The hikes will be led by Jennifer Roberts, biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This will be followed by an interesting hike to Buford Spring. This is a strenous hike. It may be muddy and difficult, due to small cypress knees covered by water. Burford Spring is very picturesque, and used by certified cave divers. Waterproof hiking boots or rubber boots recommended, along with insect repellent, binoculars and water. Pay $3.00 at the entrance.
Contact Elaine Maywalt: 352-686-8195 or email:
andymaywalt@bellsouth.net
March 17 - Saturday
McKeethan Lake Park, north Hernando County - Bird Walk
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the park entrance. McKethan Lake is located on the west side of U.S. 41 just north of Lake Lindsey Rd. (CR 476), Brooksville. Join us for a leisurely 1-2 mile walk around the lake where we
will look for wading birds, woodland birds, wildflowers, butterflies, and possibly a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring overhead. This is a beautiful walk with great photo ops.
Contact Eileen Riccio: elriccio@yahoo.com
or 352-400-8735
March 21 - Wednesday
Weeki Wachee Canoe/Kayak Trip
Must have your own kayak or canoe. We will meet at Hardee's on U.S. 19 near State Road 50 at 8:30 a.m. We will put in at a private park and go up the river. Bring a sack lunch - we will picnic when we get back about noon.
For reservations and with any questions
Contact Vera Huckaby: 352-848-5776
email: bhuckaby@innet.com
March 31 - Saturday
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Early Spring Migrants (Croom Tract, Withlacooche S.F.) Field Trip
Meet at 6:45 a.m. at restrooms at Tucker Hill fire tower on Croom Road (CR 480), north of Brooksville. The fire tower on Croom Road is 5.2 miles east of U.S. 41. Expect to see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman's Sparrows, plus early spring migrants. We'll be driving to several sites and walking short distances.
Contact Bev Hansen: 352-686-0460 or
bevalhansen@earthlink.net
Half Moon Wildlife Management Area, northwest Sumter County
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the entrance to Half Moon which is located at the north end of CR 247, off State Road 44 between Inverness and Wildwood. It is approximately 7 miles west of I-75 or just east of the Withlacoochee River if you are coming from Inverness (about 8 miles). Look for brown sign, turn north on CR 247, and go for about 1 mile to entrance. We will meet there and then carpool through the WMA for a guided tour to see the birds and learn about the management of this beautiful property. We may see Northern Bobwhite as well as many other woodland and grassland birds and butterflies.
Bring a light lunch if you wish to stay and walk the 1.3 mile Gateway Loop Trail
Contact Eileen Riccio: elriccio@yahoo.com
or 352-400-8735
March 15 - Thursday
Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area Nature Hike and Buford Springs, northwest Hernando County
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the main entrance to the WMA, west side of U.S.19. about 10 miles north of State Road 50, or 4 miles south of U.S. 98. Look for the brown Florida Park/Forest sign. The hikes will be led by Jennifer Roberts, biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This will be followed by an interesting hike to Buford Spring. This is a strenous hike. It may be muddy and difficult, due to small cypress knees covered by water. Burford Spring is very picturesque, and used by certified cave divers. Waterproof hiking boots or rubber boots recommended, along with insect repellent, binoculars and water. Pay $3.00 at the entrance.
Contact Elaine Maywalt: 352-686-8195 or email:
andymaywalt@bellsouth.net
March 17 - Saturday
McKeethan Lake Park, north Hernando County - Bird Walk
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the park entrance. McKethan Lake is located on the west side of U.S. 41 just north of Lake Lindsey Rd. (CR 476), Brooksville. Join us for a leisurely 1-2 mile walk around the lake where we
will look for wading birds, woodland birds, wildflowers, butterflies, and possibly a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring overhead. This is a beautiful walk with great photo ops.
Contact Eileen Riccio: elriccio@yahoo.com
or 352-400-8735
March 21 - Wednesday
Weeki Wachee Canoe/Kayak Trip
Must have your own kayak or canoe. We will meet at Hardee's on U.S. 19 near State Road 50 at 8:30 a.m. We will put in at a private park and go up the river. Bring a sack lunch - we will picnic when we get back about noon.
For reservations and with any questions
Contact Vera Huckaby: 352-848-5776
email: bhuckaby@innet.com
March 31 - Saturday
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Early Spring Migrants (Croom Tract, Withlacooche S.F.) Field Trip
Meet at 6:45 a.m. at restrooms at Tucker Hill fire tower on Croom Road (CR 480), north of Brooksville. The fire tower on Croom Road is 5.2 miles east of U.S. 41. Expect to see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman's Sparrows, plus early spring migrants. We'll be driving to several sites and walking short distances.
Contact Bev Hansen: 352-686-0460 or
bevalhansen@earthlink.net