2008
| Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Monthly Meetings |
August 7, 2008: “Dragonflies” CAS Board Member Sharon Weaver will share photos of local dragonflies. We will learn why they are essential indicators of pond health and how to attract them to our own backyards.
September 4, 2008: “History of the Coffeen Nature Preserve” Susan Burch Paladini, resident manager for Coffeen Nature preserve will talk about it’s transformation from WWII missile launch site to Nature Preserve.
October 2, 2008: “Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge” Rescued animal ambassadors will accompany Patrick Gault, Assistant Director for ECWR while he discusses the refuge, their mission, and their future.
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| Audubon Eventures |
September 5, 2008: Turkey Creek - HWY 20 in Niceville at 7PM
October 3, 2008: 6:30PM - Topsail State Park in Santa Rosa Beach
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| Chapter Walks |
August 22, 2008: Bird Walk to Fort Walton Beach / Okaloosa County spray fields and holding pond, meet at Coach-N-Four 7:30am, call Don M Ware ... 862.6582
September 20, 2008: International Coastal Clean-up, 8-11am. Call Nancy Hussong ... 651-7131
September 20, 2008: North American Fall Migration Bird Count. Call Don M Ware ... 862.6582
October 11, 2008: Bird Walk to Okaloosa Island, meet at Destin Bridge West Parking lot 7:30am, call Lenny Fennimore ... 863.2039
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2007
| Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Monthly Meetings |
February 1, 2007: "Blue Birds" - Bill Davis of Gulf Breeze, FL will share his bluebird wisdom with us. Bill became concerned about the plight of bluebirds and began placing nesting boxes in rural Ohio where he monitored 125 boxes for twelve years. Now he monitors houses on Hurlburt. He will tell us how we can help to save this beautiful species. These meetings are free and open to the public.
March 1, 2007: "Racing Pigeons" - Joe Mosley, local homing pigeon racer will share his stories and birds. Flights as long as 1689 miles have been recorded by exceptional birds in competitions.
April 5, 2007: "Right Whales" - Frank Gromling of Flagler Beach, Florida is a business man, an educator and a writer. His book, Frank's Whales, is a story of Right whales, the only whales to calve in Florida waters. His presentation will be about his experiences with these fascinating animals of the sea.
August 2, 2007: "Mattie Kelly Environmental Institute" Dr. James R. (Bob) Richburg, OWC President will discuss plans for the Institute and answer any questions we have for him.
September 6, 2007: "Falconry" Summer Hargraves and her male Red-tailed Hawk, Polo, will teach us about Falconry which is the ancient sport of hunting quarry with trained raptors. Summer is in her second year of apprenticeship under a master falconer. Weather permitting we will have a flight demonstration.
October 4, 2007: "The Duck Rescue Network" Kendra Addington will speak about wild and domestic ducks and geese. She will bring some of her rescued ducks and teach about the care they need and why they needed to be rescued. You will learn what wonderful pets domestic ducks and geese make.
November 1, 2007: "Sea Monsters" Dr. Jonathan Bryan will take us to the world of the Mosasaur, the largest lizard that ever lived on the earth. Dr. Bryan helped to excavate a complete skeleton of a Mosasaur in Alabama. The head of this great lizard is on display at the OWC Science building.
January 3, 2008: "Birds of the Philippines" Don and Carole Ware made a trip to the Philippines where they saw many exotic and beautiful birds. Don will share a professionally produced DVD and tell us of their encounters.
February 7, 2008: "Wildlife Art" John Harris is an award winning Florida artist. He's won the State Waterfowl Stamp competition three times and won the Florida Ducks Unlimited Contest 2002 Artist of the Year; he was also selected as the Michigan Ducks Unlimited 2006 Artist of the Year. He will share tips for budding artists and inspire us with his passion for wildlife. We will also learn about the importance of Duck Stamps.
March 6, 2008: "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge" Taldi Walters, the Alaska Field Coordinator and a member of the Audubon Society's National Staff in Washington D.C., promises a stunning presentation showcasing some of the brilliant birds and vistas found in wild Alaska. As the debate over the ANWR takes on new dimensions, many other opportunities to protect Alaska's natural treasures are emerging.
April 3, 2008: "Biodiversity of Northwest Florida" Karl Studenroth is the founder of the Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy in Jackson County, FL. The purpose of NWFLEC and its future Nature Center is the preservation and improvement of the natural and native ecosystems of NWFlorida. Karl's specialty is snakes, maybe he'll bring some?!
May 1, 2008: "Kids for Cubs" As a volunteer for Defender's of Wildlife, Nonie will present a program about our largest land mammal, the imperiled Florida Black Bear and how families of NWFlorida can live with them.
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| Audubon Eventures |
March 2, 2007: Anderson Pond - Niceville-Eglin at 5:30pm
April 6, 2007: Topsail State Park - Sandestin at 6:45pm
August 3, 2007: Turkey Creek - Niceville at 7:30pm
September 7, 2007: Henderson Beach State Park - Destin at 6:30pm - Highlighting sea turtles and nesting.
October 5, 2007: Oak Tree Nature Park - Mary Esther at 6:30pm
November 2, 2007: Florida Trail - South of Shoal River in Crestview on Hwy 85 at 5:00pm
April 4, 2008: Oak Tree Nature Park, Mary Esther at 6:30PM
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| Chapter Walks |
January 13, 2007: Bird Walk in Bluewater Bay/ Lake Pippin area. Meet at 7:30 AM Winn Dixie. Phil & Carol Goodyear 897-2666
February 3, 2007: Bird Walk to FWB/Okaloosa County spray fields & holding pond with Don Ware. Meet at 7:30 AM at Coach-N-Four restaurant parking lot on Lewis-Turner Blvd. All levels of bird watching experience, members and non-members alike are invited. For more information, contact Don Ware - 862-6582 or Bob Penhollow - 729-2602
February 16-18, 2007: CAS annual retreat. Location to be determined. Watch CAS website for more details.
March 3, 2007: Bird Walk in Sandestin. Meet at Mid-Bay Bridge Walgreens, Destin 7:30 AM Thelma Phillips 218-9620
April 7: Bird Walk at Shoal Sanctuary, Mossy Head. Meet at Niceville's Badcock parking lot at 7:30 AM. Robert & Chris Larson 598-0392
August 18, 2007: All day, wet IBW adventure to Morrison Springs! Meet at Badcock Niceville at 7:30 or 9:00 at springs. Don M Ware - 862.6582
September 15, 2007: North American Fall Migration Bird Count. Don M Ware - 862-6582
October 1-12, 2007: Fall Banding at Ft. Morgan and Dauphin Island. Carpools can be arranged by Bob Penhollow - 729-2602
October 13, 2007: Bird Walk Niceville/ValP area, meet at Badcock, Niceville at 7:30. Pat Baker - 678.2953
October 12-14, 2007: Alabama Ornithological Society Fall meeting, Dauphin Island, AL. Carpools can be arranged by Bob Penhollow - 729-2602
November 10, 2007: Bird Walk to the FWB/ Ok County spray fields and holding pond. Meet at Coach & Four at 7:30 AM. Don M Ware - 862-6582
December 17, 2007: Christmas Bird Count. To volunteer call Don M Ware - 862-6582
January 12, 2008: Bird Walk Bluewater Bay/ Lake Pippin area. Meet at 7:30 AM Winn Dixie.
March 8, 2008: Bird Walk to Coffeen Nature Preserve, Sandestin. Meet at Wild Birds Unlimited parking lot at 8:00 or 8:30 at Preserve.
April 12, 2008: Bird Walk for birds of Okaloosa Island. Meet at Destin Bridge West Parking lot 7:30. Lenny Fennimore - 863.2039
May 10, 2008: North American Spring Migration Count & International Migratory Bird Day. To volunteer call Don M Ware - 862-6582
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2006
| Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Monthly Meetings |
January 5, 2006: Lisa Miller of the local Wildlife Rehabilitators Partnership will present "When wildlife truly needs our help".
Sometimes well meaning people "kill with kindness" not knowing when an animal is in need of human interference. The challenge for those of us
concerned about baby birds and other small creatures that seem to be in trouble is to balance our tendency to want to help them wih an
understanding of their needs.
February 2, 2006: Dr. Jonathan Bryan, Professor of Earth Science at OWC, will address the possible relationship of dinosaurs and birds,
laying out some of the information and myth-information on the subject. Can evidence of hollow bones, feathers, and hard shelled eggs be proof
that dinosaurs are more like birds than reptiles? Can it be possible that we are looking at the last surviving dinosaurs through our binoculars?
March 2, 2006: Florida is home to 27 native species of frogs, most of which occur in the western Panhandle. Three introduced, exotic species
are also well established in Florida, although only one occurs locally. Paul Moler, a herpetologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, will renew the natural history of Florida frogs and give each of the 30 species a chance to introduce itself and say a few "words".
April 6, 2006: FWC fisheries and wildlife biologist Bradley Smith will present results from 2005 survey of rooftop nesting seabirds in
the Florida panhandle with a special focus on Okaloosa and Walton counties. Accomplishments from the first year of partnership between FWC and Choctawhatchee
Audubon will be discussed as well as ways we can continue to work together to benefit the birds. View Presentation
May 4, 2006: Bird Buddy, Lenny Fennimore will give us a photographic slide presentation about Eglin's burrowing owls and update us on the
research being conducted by University of South Florida. Sign-up for a field trip to follow after nesting season.
August 3, 2006: Show and Tell - Wildlife Adventures Audubon members JVO and Sharon Weaver will present
a slide show of their wildlife photos. The Weavers are relatively new to birding, but it did not take them long to become
devoted observers of our feathered friends. They have traveled extensively in Florida in the past year and have some
great pictures and some great stories to share.
October 5, 2006: "The World of Bats" - Cyndi and George Marks of the Florida Bat Conservancy. The program will include a slide presentation on bats illustrating their unusual diversity, unique behaviors and benefits to humans. They will also have live bats!
November 2, 2006: "Wolves" - Cynthia and Wayne Watkins will tell us about Seacrest Wolf Preserve where they provide a safe and humane habitat for wolves needing placement and rescue. They teach tolerance and respect for these incredible carnivores by providing a place for individuals and school groups to visit and learn about wolves in a natural setting.
December 14, 2006: "Christmas Party" - Traditionally our December meeting is a social gathering where we celebrate the holiday season together. Local birding expert and CAS Bird Count Coordinator, Don Ware will show slides of birds that we may expect to see during the Christmas Bird Count. Refreshments will be potluck. So bring a dish and prepare to relax and enjoy the evening! A silent auction will be available to raise additional CAS funds for various projects and FREE door prizes! Chautauqua Building - Defuniak Springs (6:00PM - 9:00PM).
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| Audubon Eventures |
February 3, 2006: Oak Tree Nature Park - Mary Esther at 5:30pm
March 3, 2006: Turkey Creek - Niceville at 5:30pm
April 7, 2006: Grace Brown Nature Trail, Hurlburt Soundside 6:30pm
May 5, 2006: Topsail State Park, Santa Rosa Beach 7:00pm
August 4, 2006: Fred Gannon State Park, Niceville 7:00pm
September 1, 2006: Glenwood Park, Cinco Bayou, FWB 6:30pm
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| Chapter Walks |
January 14, 2006: Bird Walk to the Coast Guard Woods on Okaloosa Island and the west jetties of Destin Pass. Meet at 7:30am at Uptown
Station or 7:50am at west side of Destin Bridge parking area. Lenny Fennimore 863-2039
January 18 - February 8, 2006: "Birding 101" Lenny and Nonie team up for a beginner's birding class for OWC Primetime.
Registrants will meet Wednesday's 7:30am at OWC Niceville. $40. To register, call OWC Primetime, 729-6085
January 19 - March 9, 2006: "Bird Watching for Casual Observers" UWF-Center for Lifelong Learning, FWB. Thursdays,
8-11am. Class will focus on identification by field marks, behavior, and sounds. All levels of experience welcome. Thelma Phillips 651-0508
February 4, 2006: Bird Walk to the Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa County spray fields and holding pond.
Meet at 7:30am at Coach and Four. Donald M. Ware 862-6582
March 4, 2006: Bird Walk to Niceville spray fields. Meet at 7:30am at the Shell station at Palm Blvd and SR 285.
Pat Baker 678-2953
April 1, 2006: Bird Walk in Bluewater Bay area and Lake Pippin. Meet at 7:30am at BWB Winn Dixie.
Phil and Carole Goodyear 897-2666
April 10-23, 2006: Spring bird banding, Ft Morgan. Car pools can be arranged. Bob Penhollow 729-2602
April 21-23, 2006: Alabama Ornithological Society Spring meeting. Car pools can be arranged. Bob Penhollow 729-2602
May 6, 2006: Bird Walk to Shoal Sanctuary. Mossy Head with Bob & Chris Larsen. Meet at 7:30am at Niceville's Turkey Creek.
Bob Penhollow 729-2602
May 13, 2006: North American Spring Migration Count. Call Donald M. Ware 862-6582 to volunteer.
Sept 14-Nov 1, 2006: "Bird Watching for Casual Observers" at UWF/ CLL Lifelong Learning. Register with Thelma Phillips 651-0508
September 16, 2006: North American Fall Migration Bird Count. Don Ware 862-6582
September 16, 2006: International Coastal Clean-up, 8-11 AM Nancy Hussong 651-7131
Oct 4-Nov 8, 2006: "EcoTrek" OWC Primetime Register with Nonie Maines 862-9588
October 7, 2006: Bird Walk to Pt. Washington State Forest guided by Thomas D. Beitzel. Meet at the Publix on CR395 at 7:30 AM.
October 13-15, 2006: Alabama Ornithological Society Fall meeting, Dauphin Island, AL. Carpools can be arranged by Bob 729-2602
November 4, 2006: Bird Walk to Glenwood and Ferry Parks. Meet at FWB KMART parking lot. Thelma Phillips 218-9620
December 2: Bird Walk to Valparaiso/ Niceville area. Meet at Niceville's Badcock parking lot at 7:30 AM. Pat Baker 678-2953
December 18: FWB area Christmas Bird Count. To volunteer call Donald M. Ware 862-6582
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| Related Events |
CAS Retreat
February 17-19, 2006
Putnam County
An event to promote the restoration of the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers, environmental awareness, and nature-based tourism
in Putnam County. For more information, click here.
For more information about the Field Trips, click here.
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 17-20, 2006
 The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) returns for its ninth season February 17-20, 2006. The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology encourage everyone to COUNT BIRDS WITH A BUDDY! Bird enthusiasts of all ages can share their love of birds with a friend, a child, a scout troop, a class, or a co-worker-opening new eyes to the joy of birding and the fun of creating a unique snapshot of winter bird abundance and distribution across the continent. Every pair of eyes is needed and everybirdy counts, whether in a backyard, on a high-rise balcony, in a park, or on any of the 730 million acres of public lands.
For more information, click here.
The Spring meeting of the Florida Ornithological Society
April 21 - April 23
Tall Timbers Research Station
Tallahassee, FL
Co-hosted by the Apalachee Audubon Society
A special rate of $89.00 per night, until April 7th is offered at Cabot Lodge. Reserve your rooms now by calling 850-386-7500 and tell the lodge you are with FOS.
Saturday field trips and a special evening banquet presentation by Dr. David W. Johnston and provides a unique look at the history of ornithology in Florida. Space at the banquet is limited, so sign up now to reserve your spot. Local organizers Jim Cox and Sally Jue.
Click here for the Registration Form.
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2005
| Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Monthly Meetings |
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October 6, 2005: Vernon Compton, Project Director for Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership will present
a program about trees. He will talk about the best native trees to plant in high wind areas such as those prone to
hurricanes. He will also discuss the importance of trees to stormwater management.
November 3, 2005: For a break from our traditional lectures, CAS will feature Dr. Dave Gowan; Florida State
University's Spider Guy. Dr. Gowan will present a slide show on "The Arachnids Among Us". If you have
spiders around the house that you would like to identify, feel free to bring them in (using suitably secure
containers of course). After the program, Dr. Gowan will show us how to track down the octipedal beasts outside
in the courtyard, so bring your flashlights.
December 1, 2005: Mr. Bobby Harrison who teaches art and photography at Oakwood College in
Huntsville, Alabama will be our speaker. On June 9, 2004 he reported seeing an Ivory-billed Woodpecker flush from
near the base of a bald cypress about 15 meters in front of him. As the bird swooped up to land, the broad white trailing
edges of the wings were especially visible. After 20 years of searching, his dream of finding the Ivory-billed
Woodpecker came true in the Big Woods of Arkansas.
For more information about the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, visit the CBS web page at: CBS Ivory-billed Woodpecker Story (Click on the video to the right to see Bobby Harrison's
interview)
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| Audubon Eventures |
October 26, 2005: Fall Carnival at Ferry Park CAS will hand out candy to Trick or Treaters
and the Eventure nightwalk will be held simultaneously at this event. Volunteers will be needed to
assist in mini-walks along the creek.
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| Chapter Walks |
October 8, 2005: Beginner's Bird Walk to the west jetty of Destin's East Pass.
October 14-16, 2005: Alabama Orinthological Society Meeting at Dauphin Island.
October 22, 2005: Field Trip to Fort Pickens if August trip proves productive. If not, visit to Fort Walton Beach's Ferry and Gleenwood Parks.
November 5, 2005: Beginner's Bird Walk in Valparaiso
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