April Hernando Audubon Activities

Hernando Audubon meeting, Thursday, April 25

Conservation Biology of the Imperiled Southeastern American Kestrel in Florida, with speaker Dr. Ken Meyer. Ken Meyer is Executive Director of Avian Research and Conservation Institute. Dr. Meyer has studied the conservation biology of birds in Florida and beyond since the 1980s, beginning with his research on Swallow-tailed Kites, which continues to this day.

He has served on species status-review committees for state agencies and biological review panels for National Wildlife Refuges, and as a graduate student advisor and committee member in his position as an adjunct Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. Ken received a Partners in Flight Research Award for his contributions to bird conservation.

The meeting will start at 7 p.m., at Brooksville Woman’s Club, 131 S. Main Street, Brooksville. Free, all are welcome. Contact Bev: bevalhansen@gmail.com or 352-686-0460.

Hernando Audubon birding trip to Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest, Saturday, April 6.

At 6:45 a.m. meet on the south side of Croom Road (CR-480) at the horse corral at the intersection with Forest Road 7. This is 7 miles east of US-41. Find Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, and other resident forest birds and look for early spring migrants.

Make reservations with Bev: bevalhansen@gmail.com or 352-686-0460

Hernando Audubon birding trip to Honeymoon Island State Park, Tuesday, April 9.

Meet at 7:15 a.m. on the causeway, at the first pull-off on the south side of Curlew Road (SR-586) in Pinellas County. We expect to see a variety of waders, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Park fee: $4 for lone driver or $8 for 2-8 people.

Make reservations with Bev: bevalhansen@gmail.com or 352-686-0460

Hernando Audubon birding trip to Big Pine, Saturday, April 13.

We will walk the upland trail through longleaf pine habitat. The trail eventually leads down to the lowlands and into a lovely oak hammock. There is a forty-foot change in elevation making for a variety of vegetation and birds. Expect to see many woodpeckers and some songbirds, including possible spring migrants.

The walk is about 2 miles. The entrance to the Big Pine Tract is 1 mile north of where Old Crystal River Road intersects with U.S. 41, just north of Brooksville.

Meet in the parking lot, which is on the east side of the road, at 8 a.m. Make reservations with Bev: bevalhansen@gmail.com or 352-686-0460.

Hernando Audubon butterfly walk at Aripeka-Sandhill Preserve, Saturday, April 20. 

April is a prime time to view butterflies. Join Don Fraser as he helps us identify butterflies during the two-mile walk. We may see as many as eight species of hairstreak butterflies nectaring on sparkleberry as well as many other butterflies. Bring binoculars (close focusing, if you have them—or your regular binoculars will do).

There will be good opportunities for close-up photography of butterflies. At 9 a.m. meet at the parking lot, which is a half mile west of US-19 at 18000 Aripeka Road in Hudson. There is no drinking water or bathroom there.

Make reservations with Bev: bevalhansen@gmail.com or 352-686-0460

Hernando Audubon birding trip, kayaking the Chassahowitzka River, Wednesday, April 24

Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the parking lot of the Chassahowitzka River Campground near the boat launch. The campground is located south of Homosassa Springs and west of U. S.-19 at 8600 W. Miss Maggie Drive, in Citrus County. We will kayak the river for approximately two hours and expect to see various herons and egrets as well as Limpkins and nesting Ospreys.

We hope to see migrating birds as they fly north to their breeding grounds. If lucky, we may also see manatees and river otters, which are always a highlight of this trip.

Participation is limited so you must reserve a spot, and arrange for a kayak rental, if needed, by contactingTom: tomstclair8@gmail.com or 904-303-0919.

Hernando Audubon Beginning Birding, Friday, April 26.

Meet at 8 a.m. at Chinsegut Conservation Center, 23212 Lake Lindsey Road, Brooksville. Learn to identify birds at feeders and during a short walk. There will be binoculars available for use.

Make reservations with Linda: lindalark85@gmail.com or text 352-428-2629.

Hernando Audubon birding trip to Fort De Soto County Park, Monday, April 29.

Meet at 8 a.m. in front of the bathrooms, at the boat ramp parking lot, which is on the right immediately after you cross the Bunces Pass Bridge on the park entrance road. The park is at 3500 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde. Fort De Soto Park is one of Florida’s most popular birding spots. Because of its location as the first landfall for many trans-Gulf migratory birds, many birds stop to feed and rest in the 1,136-acre park with a variety of habitats.

Since this is the season of migration, we will have a chance of seeing many birds that are migrating to their northern breeding grounds, as well as numerous resident wading birds, gulls and terns, and shorebirds. Park fee: $5, payable at any machine in parking lots. Please note: You will need coins or SunPass for the toll booths on Pinellas Bayway and Pinellas Bayway South.

Make reservations with Bev: bevalhansen@gmail.com or 352-686-0460.