Choctawhatchee and Bay Audubon programs and events for January 2015

December 19, 2014

 Choctawhatchee Audubon programs and events:

8 January: Monthly meeting and program “Adaptive Wild land Fire Management at Eglin AFB” by Brett Williams, Fire Management Office, Eglin AFB Florida.  The presentation will be an introduction to the importance of fire to the longleaf pine ecosystem and the rare species it supports and how prescribed fire supports the military mission at Eglin AFB.  Eglin AFB’s science-based approach to managing fire and the tools the Eglin fire team uses to measure ecological restoration success will be shared and discussed in the context of ecosystem management.
The meeting will be held in Room 130 of the new Student Services Building at Northwest Fla. State College. Socializing begins at 6:30 PM, and the program begins at 7:00. Admission is free and open to the interested public. Call Gary Parsons at 850-678-1461 for more info.

24 January: Bird Walk: Bird the shorelines of Niceville and Valparaiso with bird photographer. Enjoy a bird walk with birding enthusiast Walt Spence. Spence will showcase Boggy Country’s winter visitors, such as mergansers, loons, grebes, and buffleheads. Also see waders, raptors, and shorebirds. Bring cameras and binoculars. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in front of Badcock Furniture in Bayou Plaza Shopping Center at the intersection of John Sims Parkway and Hwy 85 South. Call Walt for more info at 850-582-7064.

Bay County Audubon events:

Saturday, January 3rd, 2015 Bird Walk at PCB Conservation Park. Meet in the parking lot of the Conservation Park at 7:30 a.m.
Fri & Sat, January 16 & 17, 2015 Overnight trip to Panacea area and St. Marks Nat. Wildlife Refuge.
We will carpool down to Panacea on Friday, the 16th, birding along the coast, and spend the night at the Inn at Wildwood near Panacea. We will spend Saturday at the refuge. You will need to make your own reservations. 1-800- 878-1546. Rates are very reasonable. Mention that you are with the group from Bay County Audubon Society. This is one of our favorite trips since we always see over 100 species of birds and have a great time and enjoy some good local food. Plan to meet at the mall by Starbuck’s under the theater sign at 7:00 on the 16th. If you are going, let Ron know to exchange phone numbers. 763-7485/ cell 381-5651.
Sat, Feb. 14, 2015 Sneads/Lake Seminole/Jim Woodruff Dam area.
This area is good for a wide variety of birds, including occasional rare ones like western kingbirds. Meet at the mall by Starbuck’s at 7:00am with snacks, drinks, birding gear. We will probably eat lunch at a local restaurant. Call Ron for any questions, 763-7485.