Ridge Audubon Society

The Lake Region Bird Club is part of the Lake Region Audubon Society, located in nearby Winter Haven.

They meet on Thursdays from November to April for birding outings.  For more information, email Bob Snow at birdclub@lakeregionaudubon.org.  

 

Lake Region Audubon Society

Bird Club 

Schedule for the '25 - '26 season

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November 13: Lake Gwyn Park, 8 a.m. This is a short hike of about 1.5 miles. The parking area is located next to Wahneta Elementary School, on 4th Street East, off Rifle Range Road. The published address for the park takes you to a different entrance. There are restrooms at the park.

 

November 20: Se7en Wetlands Park, 500 West Carter Road, Lakeland, FL. 33813. The wetland is located at the rear of Loyce Harpe Park. Meet at the park at 8 a.m. Bring binoculars, scopes, water, etc. This is a hike of about 2.5 miles, and there is very little shade and no restrooms, except at the entrance to the wetlands.

 

November 27: Thanksgiving. No trip planned.

 

December 4: Fort DeSoto, 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, St. Petersburg, FL. 33715. Meet at the Mulberry McDonald’s at 6:30 a.m., for a 7 a.m. departure. Bring lunch, binoculars, scopes, walkie-talkies, etc. We will hike about 2 miles, as well as stopping for observation. We will make our first stop at the I-275 North Rest Area, for some birding and restroom break. Afterwards, we will stop on the first pond on Pinellas Bayway, to make sure everyone is present before proceeding. The entrance fee to the park, is $5 per vehicle.

 

December 11: South Lake Howard Nature Park, 1570 Lake Howard Drive, SW, Winter Haven, FL. 33880. Meet at the park at 8 a.m. for a short hike of about 1.5 miles. Restrooms are available at the park. Bring binoculars, water, etc.

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December 18: Local Lakeland birding. Lake Morton, Mirror, and Bonny. Meet at the Lakeland Library parking lot at 8 a.m. Bring lunch, binoculars, etc. The total hike will be about 2.5 miles. There are restrooms at the library, Lake Mirror and Fletcher Park (Lake Bonny).

 

December 25: Christmas. No trip planned.

 

January 1: New Years Day. No trip planned.

 

January 8: Merritt Island NWR. Meet at the Parish Park boat ramp, before the entrance to the refuge, between 8:30 and 9 a.m. There are restrooms at the boat ramp. Bring lunch, binoculars, walkie-talkies, etc. Bring your Senior Park Pass. This will be mostly a driving trip with periodic stops for observation. For those interested, we will have dinner afterwards at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville.

 

January 15: Florida’s Natural Settling Ponds. Meet at the Lake Wales City Hall, 201 West Central Avenue, Lake Wales, FL. 33853, at 8 a.m., to meet our guide, Jerry Burns. Restrooms are available at City Hall, but not on the property we will be touring. We will drive through the wetlands stopping periodically for observation. Bring lunch, binoculars, scopes, walkie-talkies, etc. Carpooling is suggested, to reduce the number of vehicles in our caravan. We can have lunch at Lake Wailes Park after the tour.

 

January 23: Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, 2850 Lust Road, Apopka, FL. 32703. We can meet at the McDonald’s at I-4 and U.S. 27 at 6:30 a.m., for a 7 a.m. departure. This is a Friday trip, because vehicles are not allowed on Thursday. Bring lunch, binoculars, scopes, walkie-talkies, etc. This will be a driving trip through the preserve with periodic stops for observation. There are restrooms and a picnic facility along the drive.

 

January 29: Itchepackesassa Creek Wetlands, 1285 Walker Road, Lakeland, FL. 33810. Meet at the parking area at 8 a.m. for a hike of approximately 1.5 miles. There are no restrooms at this location, but there are restrooms at the recreational park just before the wetlands. Bring water, binoculars, etc.

 

February 5: T.M Goodwin WMA, near Fellsmere, FL. Meet at the Lake Wales McDonald’s on Highway 60 at 7 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. departure. Bring lunch, binoculars, walkie-talkies, etc. This is a driving trip with periodic stops for observation. There are restrooms on Fellsmere Road leading to the preserve, as well as near the parking lot at the beginning of the preserve.

 

February 12: Hardee Lakes Park, 5502 Ollie Roberts Road, Bowling Green, FL. 33834. Meet at the Mulberry McDonald’s at 7 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. departure. Bring lunch, binoculars, scopes, walkie-talkies, etc. This is mostly a driving trip, stopping periodically for observation, and hikes of approximately 1.5 miles. Entrance fee is $5 per vehicle, and there are restrooms and picnic facilities at the park.

 

February 19: Orlando Wetlands Park, 25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas, FL. 32709. Meet at the park between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Bring lunch, binoculars, scopes, etc. This is a hike of approximately 2.5-3.0 miles. There are restrooms and picnic facilities at the park.

 

February 26: Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL. 33637. We will meet at the park between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., at the parking area near the Nature Center. This will be a hike of approximately 2 miles. Bring lunch, binoculars, etc. The entrance fee is $2 per vehicle. Alternate trip suggestion: Celery Fields, Sarasota. We can discuss this option and preferences.

 

March 5: Lake Kissimmee State Park, 14248 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales, FL. 33898. We can meet at the Lake Wales McDonald’s on Highway 60 at 7 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. departure. Bring lunch, binoculars, etc. This will be a hike of approximately 2-3 miles. Entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. When you enter the park proceed to the parking area near the concession stand and boat ramp.

 

March 12: Tour at Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL. 33960. This is a two hour tour with a knowledgeable representative, on some of the nature trails. We can meet at the Mulberry McDonald’s at 6:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. departure, and carpooling. Bring binoculars, lunch, etc. The tour is for a minimum number of 10 and a maximum of 25. The total cost for the tour is $200, payable at the time of the tour. I will write a check, and you can reimburse me at that time. Please let me know if you would like to participate, and I will add your name to a list for the tour. The facility requires all participants to complete a liability waiver.

 

March 19: Three Lakes WMA/Joe Overstreet. Meet at the Lake Wales McDonald’s on Highway 60 at 6:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. departure, and carpooling. We will proceed directly to the Hunter’s Campground for a restroom break, and hopefully locate the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Bring lunch, binoculars, scopes, walkie-talkies, etc. This is a driving trip with periodic stops for observation. We will have lunch at the Joe Overstreet Landing.

 

March 26: Circle B. Meet at 8 a.m. for a hike and lunch. Bring binoculars, scopes, etc. I will try once again to reserve a tram, but there is no assurance of one being available on Thursday.

 

April 2: Fort DeSoto, 3500 Pinellas Bayway South St. Petersburg, FL. 33715. Meet at the Mulberry McDonald’s at 6:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. departure. Bring lunch, binoculars, scopes, walkie-talkies, etc. We will hike about 2.5 miles as well as driving and stopping for observation. Our first stop will be at the North I-275 Rest Area, for birding and restroom break. Next, we will stop at the Duck Ponds, and then proceed to the park. The entrance fee is $5 per vehicle, payable at Kiosks in the park.

 

Christmas Bird Count dates: Lakeland, December 20. Lake Wales TBD.

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