EVENTS: Choctawhatchee Audubon Society home page

All events are free and open to the public. Bird Walks are usually 2-4 hours on Saturday mornings. Programs (slide shows, etc.) are held the first Thursday of all months except June, July, and August. People arrive between 6 PM and 7 PM, when the program begins. Programs are held in Room 800 on the 2nd floor of the Chandler Center (NW door of 519 Helms St.) at the Crosspoint Church in Niceville. CLICK the place (it's a map link). When there, use any parking lot nearby. Walk in the door (NW building corner) under the red map marker. For more information, click our Facebook link. Admission is free and open to the public. Children should be accompanied by an adult.

 

For most Bird Walks, binoculars are almost a must, especially to study birds and butterflies. If you have a spotting scope and/or camera, bring them. Don't have binoculars? We may have an extra pair or two to borrow, and your leader will to try to show you several birds through a spotting scope. Many bird identifications are made on sounds and behavior. We will teach you how. Be sure to bring drinking water; you may want to bring snacks too. Bird walks may lead down trails with chiggers and mosquitos, so wear long pants, socks, and water-resistant, closed-toe shoes. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent, but please refrain from spraying in the immediate presence of others (e.g., nearer than 2 bus-lengths).

 

2024 DECEMBER 14, SATURDAY: We completed the 2024 - 2025 Christmas Bird Count. Click here for the Choctawhatchee Bay 2024 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT summary.

 

2025 JANUARY 9, EVENING PRESENTATION: Yes - We Have Whales in the Gulf of Mexico! From sperm whales and killer whales to Rice's whales - one of the most endangered whales on earth - whales are a vital part of the ecology of the Gulf. Speaker: Christian Wagley of "Healthy Gulf." The program will be held in Room 800 on the 2nd floor of the Chandler Center (NW door of 519 Helms St.) at the Crosspoint Church in Niceville. Socializing begins at 6:30 PM, and the program begins at 7:00 PM. Admission is free and open to the public.

 

2025 JANUARY 25, SATURDAY MORNING BIRD WALK to Niceville & Valparaiso Shorelines. Leader Walt Spence (850) 582-7064. Meet at 7:30 AM in the Skipper's Furniture parking lot, Bayou Plaza, 597 W John Sims Parkway, Niceville. Enjoy some local history as we bird along local shorelines. Dress for windy weather, bring scopes and binoculars.

 

2025 FEBRUARY 1, SATURDAY MORNING BIRD WALK: Birding the North Walton Lakes. Jillian Clark (850) 598-3063 is our leader for this outing. Meet at 7:30 AM in front of the Chautauqua Building, 95 Circle Dr. DeFuniak Springs. We will bird around Lake DeFuniak, followed by a 30 minute drive to Lake Jackson to look for Sandhill Cranes. Dress appropriately for the weather with long pants, closed toe shoes and hat. Bring water, binoculars, and a spotting scope if you have one.

 

2025 FEBRUARY 6, EVENING PRESENTATION: "Courtship Behavior and Biology of Threatened Shorebirds in the Florida Panhandle.” Speaker: Brian Cammarano, Senior Coordinator, Shorebird Stewardship, Audubon Florida. The program will be held in Room 800 on the 2nd floor of the Chandler Center (NW door of 519 Helms St.) at the Crosspoint Church in Niceville. Socializing begins at 6:30 PM, and the program begins at 7:00 PM. Admission is free and open to the interested public. Call or e-mail TBD for more information.

 

2025 FEBRUARY 8 EVENT: Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park, Santa Rosa Beach, 10 AM-2 PM. Additional parking at Bay School, with tram service. Educational stations will be set up throughout the park.

 

2025 FEBRUARY 15, SATURDAY MORNING BIRD WALK to the Wright Landfill and the Okaloosa Holding Ponds. Leader: Jim Anderton (850) 543-2221. Meet at 7:30 am along west edge of Roberts Road, 200 feet NE of Task Force Pizza Company, in the electric station parking area. We will look for shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and other winter residents. We also hope to see the two Vermilion Flycatchers that have been in residence this winter. Wear long pants, sturdy closed-toe shoes, & a hat. Bring water, binoculars, and a spotting scope if you have one.

 

2025 MARCH 1, SATURDAY MORNING BIRD WALK: Coffee and Birds in Shalimar. Leader Carol Porch, (256) 293-8785. Join Carol for coffee and birding on Garniers Bayou. Registration required, limited to 15 people. Text Carol to register and/or ask questions. Park at Combs Park, 15 Cherokee Rd, Shalimar, and take the crosswalk to Carol's house (123 Gardner Drive). Bring binoculars.

 

2025 MARCH 6, EVENING PRESENTATION: Hummingbirds in NW Florida. Speaker: Roger Cook, local wildlife photographer. The program will be in Room 800 on the 2nd floor of the Chandler Center (NW door of 519 Helms St.) at the Crosspoint Church in Niceville. Socializing begins at 6:30 PM, and the program begins at 7:00 PM. Admission is free and open to the public.

 

2025 MARCH 15, SATURDAY MORNING BIRD WALK to the Lakes of Blackwater Forest in Okaloosa County. Leader Doug Adkisson, (850) 902-6854. Meet at the CEFCO station, 5622 Hwy 4, Baker, at the north end of the parking lot at 7:30 AM. We'll be looking for Red-cockaded and other woodpeckers, flycatchers, and wrens. Wear closed-toed shoes; bring binoculars and/or camera.

 

2025 APRIL 5, SATURDAY MORNING BIRD WALK to Destin Shorelines. Bruce Purdy, (305) 926-6030, will be our leader. Meet in the Destin CVS parking lot at Hwy 98 and Main St, Destin opposite Regions Bank at 7:30 am.

 

2025 APRIL 10, EVENING PRESENTATION: TBD

 

2025 APRIL 11 - 13 (FRI evening, all-day SAT, SUN morning), MEMBERS RETREAT to Sweetwater Wetlands Park and other birdy locations near Gainesville, FL. We will be staying at the Comfort Suites , 2603 SW 13th Street. Meeting places and times to be posted here and on Facebook by 28 February. Leader Jim Anderton (850) 543-2221.

 

2025 APRIL 26, Earth Day Expo at the E.O. Wilson Biophelia Center from 9 AM to 2 PM. Gail Glasgow, (502) 439-7895, is coordinating our participation in this event. Come help us celebrate Earth Day!

 

2025 MAY 3, SATURDAY EVENT: Birding at Audubon's Laidlaw Preserve. This is a joint event with the Bay County Audubon led by Neil Lamb, (850) 814-1276. Meet at 9:00 AM at the Preserve entrance gate. The entrance is on the West side of FL 79, which is a divided 4-lane highway. If you come via Hwy 20, you'll need to drive 1/3 mile past the entrance and make a U-turn at the Union Hill Rd intersection. Some cars will already be waiting at the preserve entrance. Bring drinking water and binoculars, and wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a hat.

 

2025 MAY 8, EVENING PRESENTATION: TBD