Brown Pelican, by Adam Betuel
Central Florida Birdwatching Hotspots
January 15 to 18, 2021
Trip Leader: Adam Betuel
Virtual Pre-trip Orientation and Workshop: Thursday, January 7, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM via Zoom
Group Size: Limited to 16 participants
Registration Fees
Master Birders in good membership and volunteer standing: $260
Georgia Audubon Members: $285
Non-members: $320 (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
Join Adam Betuel, Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, for an incredible weekend of birding across central Florida. During the three days of birdwatching, the group will visit the coastal marshes and beaches of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, the pine forests and lakes south of Kissimmee, and the hotspots surrounding Lake Apopka.
Trip Leader: Adam Betuel
Virtual Pre-trip Orientation and Workshop: Thursday, January 7, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM via Zoom
Group Size: Limited to 16 participants
Registration Fees
Master Birders in good membership and volunteer standing: $260
Georgia Audubon Members: $285
Non-members: $320 (includes a one-year Georgia Audubon membership)
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
Join Adam Betuel, Georgia Audubon's Director of Conservation, for an incredible weekend of birding across central Florida. During the three days of birdwatching, the group will visit the coastal marshes and beaches of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, the pine forests and lakes south of Kissimmee, and the hotspots surrounding Lake Apopka.
Birds L to R: Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Roseate Spoonbill. Photos by Adam Betuel.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Merritt Island National Wildlife REfuge
Merritt Island NWR is the second largest refuge in Florida and has the distinction of being the home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the wildlife refuge, and the Canaveral National Seashore. Offering varied birding opportunities, the refuge has recorded more than 310 species of birds. The field trips around the refuge will concentrate on wintering waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and the Florida Scrub-Jay, which is endemic to the Sunshine State.
Day 2 - Kissimee, Florida
On day two, we will visit the Three Lakes Wildlife Management area, the well-known Joe Overstreet Rd and its landing, in addition to other nearby hotspots depending on recent sightings. This area makes up a portion of Florida’s largest remaining dry prairie, significant pine stands, cattle farms, and a multitude of lakes. Some of the key birds we will target in this area includes Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, Snail Kite, Sandhill Crane, and Crested Caracara to name just a few.
Day 3 - Lake Apopka
Our final morning will have the group visiting Lake Apopka, northwest of Orlando. This should be convenient for people returning to Georgia via car. Lake Apopka is the 4th largest lake in the state and has undergone a drastic restoration over the last 20+ years, from Superfund site to bird haven. The lake and its neighboring parks, marshes, and forests are now home to over 370 species of birds. We expect to find Purple Gallinule, Fulvous-whistling Ducks, Sora, multiple other duck species, and a diversity of wading birds. Lake Apopka is famous for attracting rare birds and it is possible, maybe even likely, for us to spot a Vermilion Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
The trip will end at noon on January 18 to allow participants time to begin the trek home.
The trip will end at noon on January 18 to allow participants time to begin the trek home.
Additional details
Florida Scrub-Jay, by Adam Betuel.
Guests are responsible for their own food, travel (including tolls), and lodging charges.
A block of rooms will be made available to the group at a hotel near the Orlando International Airport. You are not required to stay here, but it will likely be beneficial to join the group here each morning. Each day will require an early start (leaving the hotel around 6:00 to 6:30 AM) in an attempt to take advantage of peak birding opportunities. We will need to drive 30 to 60 minutes each morning to reach our first destination. The birding will be easy to moderate, often on flat terrain or from a car. There may be times you are required to stand for an extended period of time. Weather in central Florida during this time of year can be hard to predict. One should plan for anything from breezy mornings in the 40’s all the way up to the 80’s.
As the trip approaches, we will continue to monitor the COVID pandemic and what steps may need to be taken. This may require mask wearing, no carpooling except for household members and social isolation pods, and lack of sharing optics. If it is safe to dine together at a restaurant, we may schedule optional group meals. However, it is more likely that people will have to arrange their own meals.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by December 15, 2020, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a 10% administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between December 16 and December 31, 2020, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a 10% administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a 10% administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
A block of rooms will be made available to the group at a hotel near the Orlando International Airport. You are not required to stay here, but it will likely be beneficial to join the group here each morning. Each day will require an early start (leaving the hotel around 6:00 to 6:30 AM) in an attempt to take advantage of peak birding opportunities. We will need to drive 30 to 60 minutes each morning to reach our first destination. The birding will be easy to moderate, often on flat terrain or from a car. There may be times you are required to stand for an extended period of time. Weather in central Florida during this time of year can be hard to predict. One should plan for anything from breezy mornings in the 40’s all the way up to the 80’s.
As the trip approaches, we will continue to monitor the COVID pandemic and what steps may need to be taken. This may require mask wearing, no carpooling except for household members and social isolation pods, and lack of sharing optics. If it is safe to dine together at a restaurant, we may schedule optional group meals. However, it is more likely that people will have to arrange their own meals.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by December 15, 2020, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a 10% administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between December 16 and December 31, 2020, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a 10% administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a 10% administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
