Birding

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Choctawhatchee River Paddle Trail in the works

57 miles of planned boat ramp improvements span from Morrison Springs to Black Creek near the Bay Walton County, Northwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Greenways and Trails are working together to provide a paddling trail on the Choctawhatchee River. The 57-mile trail plan spans from Morrison Springs to the opening of Black Creek near the Choctawhatchee Bay. ::MAP:: The project includes rehabilitation and/or construction of five trail head locations starting at Morrison...

Be watchful of baby birds in springtime

Area refuge full of orphaned baby birds As the springtime is a busy nesting season for birds, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge encourages folks to be watchful when cutting trees, and keep an eye out for fledglings. Currently the refuge has a full house of orphaned baby birds. Patrick Gault, the assistant director of the ECWR warns that many homeowners are not aware that some fledglings spend time a period of time on the ground. “They are easy prey for cats,”...

North American spring bird migration count May 14

Get out in the field or be a backyard bird feeder counter for the spring migration count The North American Migration Count (NAMC) is locally supported by the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.  The count is conducted throughout North America on the same day.  The date is the peak of the migration in Massachusetts and  has been chosen to count as many migrants as possible while moving to their final destinations. The mission of the North American Bird Migration...

Local naturalist nurtures bluebird breeding program at Hammock Bay

  Spring brings nesting bluebirds Spring brings a full house to 55 bluebird boxes at Hammock Bay in Freeport. This is the fifth season Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay, has been running a bluebird breeding program for these beautiful indigenous birds. The success has been quite good with close to 300 fledglings each year. Cool Facts: • The male Eastern Bluebird displays at his nest cavity to attract a female. He brings nest material to the hole, goes in...