Snowy Egret, by Dan Vickers.
Florida Birding at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Wakulla Springs State Park
Roseate Spoonbill, by Tom Wilson.
February 6 to 8, 2021
Virtual Pre-trip Workshop via Zoom Webinar: Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 PM
Trip Leaders: Melanie Furr and Dottie Head
Group Size: Limited to 16 participants
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 Melanie Furr, Director of Education, and Dottie Head, Director of Communications, for a fun three-day tour exploring St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Wakulla Springs State Park in the Florida Panhandle. Established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, St. Marks is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This Globally Important Bird Area encompasses more than 70,000 acres of coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers, supporting to a diverse community of plant and animal life, including more than 300 species of birds. In addition to large numbers of wintering waterfowl and shorebirds, we expect to see beautiful wading birds like Roseate Spoonbills, nesting Bald Eagles, and possibly even Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. In recent years, the refuge has also provided a winter home for rarities like Vermillion Flycatchers, Red-throated Loons, and an American Flamingo. We’ll also explore Wakulla Springs State Park, including a short riverboat tour of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs (COVID-19 restrictions permitting.) This wildlife viewing trip among majestic bald cypress trees offers great looks at waterfowl and wading birds, as well alligators, turtles, and possibly otters and manatees.
Trip Logistics and Fees:
Trip fee includes full-day guided field trips on Saturday and Sunday and a half-day of guided birding on Monday, as well as entry fees to birding sites and the boat tour (if available due to COVID-19). A virtual pre-trip orientation meeting and short workshop will be held on Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 PM via Zoom Webinar.
Guests are responsible for their own food, travel, and lodging. Georgia Audubon will reserve a block of rooms at a nearby hotel for those who are interested in reserving a room at a group rate. We will share this information with participants once they register.
Each day will require an early start (leaving the hotel around 7:00 AM) in an attempt to take advantage of peak birding opportunities. We will need to drive 15 to 20 minutes each morning to reach our destination. The birding will be easy to moderate walking on flat terrain. There may be times you are required to stand for an extended period of time. Weather in Florida 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-19 pandemic and what steps may need to be taken. This may require mask wearing, no carpooling except for immediate family, 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.
Spaces are limited, so register early.
For more information, please e-mail Melanie Furr or Dottie Head.
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 6, 2020, a refund of all payments (less a 10% administrative fee) made will be given. If notice of cancellation is received between December 7, 2020 and January 6, 2021, 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.
Virtual Pre-trip Workshop via Zoom Webinar: Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 PM
Trip Leaders: Melanie Furr and Dottie Head
Group Size: Limited to 16 participants
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 Melanie Furr, Director of Education, and Dottie Head, Director of Communications, for a fun three-day tour exploring St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Wakulla Springs State Park in the Florida Panhandle. Established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, St. Marks is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This Globally Important Bird Area encompasses more than 70,000 acres of coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers, supporting to a diverse community of plant and animal life, including more than 300 species of birds. In addition to large numbers of wintering waterfowl and shorebirds, we expect to see beautiful wading birds like Roseate Spoonbills, nesting Bald Eagles, and possibly even Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. In recent years, the refuge has also provided a winter home for rarities like Vermillion Flycatchers, Red-throated Loons, and an American Flamingo. We’ll also explore Wakulla Springs State Park, including a short riverboat tour of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs (COVID-19 restrictions permitting.) This wildlife viewing trip among majestic bald cypress trees offers great looks at waterfowl and wading birds, as well alligators, turtles, and possibly otters and manatees.
Trip Logistics and Fees:
Trip fee includes full-day guided field trips on Saturday and Sunday and a half-day of guided birding on Monday, as well as entry fees to birding sites and the boat tour (if available due to COVID-19). A virtual pre-trip orientation meeting and short workshop will be held on Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 PM via Zoom Webinar.
Guests are responsible for their own food, travel, and lodging. Georgia Audubon will reserve a block of rooms at a nearby hotel for those who are interested in reserving a room at a group rate. We will share this information with participants once they register.
Each day will require an early start (leaving the hotel around 7:00 AM) in an attempt to take advantage of peak birding opportunities. We will need to drive 15 to 20 minutes each morning to reach our destination. The birding will be easy to moderate walking on flat terrain. There may be times you are required to stand for an extended period of time. Weather in Florida 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-19 pandemic and what steps may need to be taken. This may require mask wearing, no carpooling except for immediate family, 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.
Spaces are limited, so register early.
For more information, please e-mail Melanie Furr or Dottie Head.
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 6, 2020, a refund of all payments (less a 10% administrative fee) made will be given. If notice of cancellation is received between December 7, 2020 and January 6, 2021, 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.
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
