Field Trip Guidelines:  Field trips are open to anyone interested in birding. Non-members are welcome.  All trips are free unless the locale has an entrance fee or a charge for parking. We recommend sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen, and water or other suitable beverages. Please contact the trip leader to indicate that you plan to attend and to get any information about changes in plan.

Fort De Soto Park

Sunday, September 13, 2026

THE TRIP SIZE IS LIMITED. TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT OR TO ASK QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT CLAUDIA: camsler36@gmail.com or 813-244-0305

To carpool, meet at McDonalds, 15050 Spring Hill Drive, in Spring Hill, at 6.50 a.m.

At Fort De Soto Park, meet at 8:30 a.m. at the headquarters parking lot where there is a large American flag. This parking lot is at the T intersection, i.e., the end of the park entrance road. Bring a snack or lunch. Restrooms and water fountains are available. Bug repellant recommended. You might get your feet wet so be prepared: bring boots, extra shoes or socks. Admission to the park is $6 per vehicle. The Bayway bridge toll is $1.25, Sunpass accepted. 

The field trip leader, Ron Smith, has birded the park extensively for many years and wrote the definitive book about how to bird the park. Expect to find migrating species as well as a large variety of shorebirds. We plan to leave the park about 2 p.m.