Program: Intro to Bird Photography at Crescent Lake (pre-registration required)
Intro to Bird Photography at Crescent Lake
Speaker: John Ficken
Birds are among the most fun and rewarding subjects to photograph. But capturing a clear and memorable bird photo? That takes a bit more knowledge and practice.
That’s precisely why we designed this beginner-level 90-minute introduction to bird photography. Bring whatever equipment you use—your phone or a camera—and we’ll help you take your photography skills up a few notches by focusing on light, composition, and simple photography tools that make a big difference.
After covering the key concepts, we’ll apply everything we've learned photographing the amazing birds of Crescent Lake. You will be amazed at how quickly you become a better photographer!
This program is capped at 15, please pre-register here: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/885922/
Field Trip: Weedon Island Family Bird Walk
Field Trip: Weedon Island
Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
https://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/aboutus.htm
Leader: Gale Raichart
Where to Meet: Meet at the parking lot at the Weedon Island Nature Center.
What to Expect: Most of the walk will be on the boardwalk. All are welcome - including children of any age (with an adult).
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Water, Insect repellent, Sunscreen
Florida Ornithological Society Meeting
Spring 2026 FOS Meeting: March 7
University of Tampa, Vaughn Center, 9th Floor, Hosted by the Biology Department
For information about the FOS Meeting, contact (FOS President Todd Engstrom engstrom@bio.fsu.edu or Meeting Committee Member Ann Paul annpaul26@gmail.com, 813/624-3149)
Field Trips, 7:30 a.m. – noon
Scientific Sessions, 2:00 – 5:30 p.m. Citizen Science: Studying Birds in Florida
Diane and Dan Erdely, Breeding Bird Survey
Aaron White, Audubon Florida, Project Colony Watch
Cheryl Merz, Audubon Florida, EagleWatch: The Power of Community Science Florida Keys’ Hawk Watch
Abby McKay, Audubon Florida, Beach Stewards (SPAS Board)
Dr. Beth Forys, Eckerd College, Survival of Fallen and Returned Rooftop Nesting Least Tern Chicks (SPAS Board)
Paul Jacobs, Jay Watch and Kestrel Boxes
Skin Quiz, Evening Reception and Scientific Poster Session 5:30 p.m.
Banquet and Keynote, 6:30 p.m. Jason Lauritsen, The Florida Wildlife Corridor Project
Sunday morning, March 8, 2026
Note: Daylight Savings Time starts.
Field Trips, 8 a.m. – noon
Field Trip: Boyd Hill 1st Saturday
“1st Saturday” Boyd Hill Field Trip
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St Petersburg, FL 33705. Walk is on dirt trails and boardwalks.
Meet in front of the Nature Center at 7:45am, walk will start at 8:00am.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Insect repellant, Sunscreen (although portions will have shade). Water is available on some of the trails. The Nature Center has bathrooms.
Program: St. Pete Audubon's Costa Rica Trip & an exciting future trip.
St. Pete Audubon's Costa Rica Trip & an exciting future trip.
Speakers: SPAS members & Kevin Van Dien, Holbrook Travel
Hear about our trip to Costa Rica and the new trip that is planned!
Location: Boyd Hill Nature Park
Field Trip: Boyd Hill 1st Saturday
St. Petersburg Audubon is continuing the Ron Smith “1st Saturday” Boyd Hill Field Trips.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St Petersburg, FL 33705. Walk is on dirt trails and boardwalks.
Meet in front of the Nature Center at 7:45am, walk will start at 8:00am.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Insect repellant, Sunscreen (although portions will have shade). Water is available on some of the trails. The Nature Center has bathrooms.
Florida Birding & Nature Festival
FLORIDA BIRDING & NATURE FESTIVAL
April 9 - 12, 2026
6650 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach
Four days of field and boat trips, expert seminars, bird show, keynote speakers, and a free nature expo!
Field Trip: Crescent Lake
Field Trip: Crescent Lake
1320 5th St N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701
https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/crescentlakepark/
Leader: John Ficken
Where to Meet: Meet at the parking lot. Note: no restrooms.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Water, Insect repellent, Sunscreen
Program: The Bird That Saved Itself: The Everglade Snail Kite Story (talk followed by book signing)
The Bird That Saved Itself: The Everglade Snail Kite Story
Author Hilary Flower explores how the Everglade Snail Kite’s surprising adaptability offers hope for conservation in a rapidly changing Florida.
Speaker Bio: Hilary Flower is professor of environmental studies at Eckerd College, where she teaches about wetlands and global environmental change and researches how climate change and sea level rise affect the Everglades. Her first book debuts in March 2026: The Kite and the Snail: An Endangered Bird, Its Unlikely Prey, and a Story of Hope in a Changing World, published by the University Press of Florida.
Location: Hammock Hall, Boyd Hill Nature Park. 3010 31st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Field Trip: Eckerd College (Local Members Only)
Field Trip: Eckerd College
4200 54th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Leader: Beth Forys & members of the Eckerd College Bird Club (a student Audubon Chapter)
Where to Meet: An email with a registration link will be sent to all local members.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Water, Insect repellent, Sunscreen
Program: Bird Stewarding with St. Pete Audubon
Bird Stewarding with St. Pete Audubon
Join veteran stewards at Ft. De Soto to hear about the challenges and rewards of protecting imperiled birds on our beaches.
Speakers: Beth Forys, Eve Waterman, Lynn Harding
Location: Ft. De Soto North Beach. Registration link forthcoming.
What to bring? We have umbrellas, but you may want to bring a chair, water, sunscreen, and a hat. Restrooms are available.
Field Trip: Boyd Hill 1st Saturday
“1st Saturday” Boyd Hill Field Trip
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St Petersburg, FL 33705. Walk is on dirt trails and boardwalks.
Meet in front of the Nature Center at 7:45am, walk will start at 8:00am.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Insect repellant, Sunscreen (although portions will have shade). Water is available on some of the trails. The Nature Center has bathrooms.
Field Trip: Ft. De Soto
Field Trip: Ft. De Soto County Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway South Tierra Verde, FL 33715
https://pinellas.gov/parks/fort-de-soto-park/
Leader: Pete Plage
Where to Meet: Meet at the Flagpoll. We will be driving to various sites in the park, walking mostly on hard unpaved surfaces.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Water, Insect repellent, Sunscreen
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Raptor Fest
Visit the St. Pete Audubon table @ Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Raptor Fest
Experience birds of prey in action while enjoying environmental exhibits, trained raptors in free flight, activities for kids and families, photo opportunities with live birds of prey, bird walks, and more. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Admission is free. Parking is available at the preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., with a handicap permit only. Additional parking is available at Lake Vista Recreation Center, 1401 62nd Ave. S., and at Lakewood High School, 1400 54th Ave. S., where free shuttles at both locations will take you to the event.
Please register if you wish to volunteer at this event (2 hour shifts on Saturday, February 7. You will be educating the public, selling our merch, and possibly loaning out binoculars during the bird walks.)
Field Trip: Crescent Lake (aimed at beginning/intermediate birders, but all are welcome)
Field Trip: Crescent Lake
1320 5th St N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701
https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/crescentlakepark/
Leader: John Ficken
Where to Meet: Meet at the “Tasco” parking lot (at the intersection of 15th Av N and 5th St N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701). Note: no restrooms.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Water, Insect repellent, Sunscreen
Program: Make, Repair, Paint, and Stencil Black Skimmer and Least Tern Chick Shelters (pre-registration required) FULL
Help fix and create new chick shelters.
Program (rescheduled): Birding Made Easy! FULL
Program (w/field component): Birding Made Easy. How everyone from beginners to advanced birders can use Merlin and eBird to enhance their birding.
Join us for our November Meeting and Program (w/field component): Birding Made Easy. How everyone from beginners to advanced birders can use new phone apps to enhance their birding.
Speaker: John Ficken, an avid birder and technophile
Next to binoculars, the most indispensable tool for birding is now your phone. Learn how 3 apps are revolutionizing bird identification and tracking. Birders at any level will discover easy tools to make their birding easier, more fun, and accurate! After an overview of how to use these incredible tools, we will learn from each other as we try them out at the amazing Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.
Location: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 9-10am
Please pre-register: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/875567/
This is event is currently FULL. We hope to have similar events soon.
Field Trip: Boyd Hill 1st Saturday
St. Petersburg Audubon is continuing the Ron Smith “1st Saturday” Boyd Hill Field Trips.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St Petersburg, FL 33705. Walk is on dirt trails and boardwalks.
Meet in front of the Nature Center at 7:45am, walk will start at 8:00am.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Insect repellant, Sunscreen (although portions will have shade). Water is available on some of the trails. The Nature Center has bathrooms.
Walking With Wildlife: Christmas Bird Count Edition
Guided Nature Walking Tour Along the St Pete Pier (offered by our partner: Tampa Bay Watch)
The new St Pete Pier offers a variety of amenities for locals and tourists alike. However, humans are not the only ones who can be found soaking up the Florida sun! Join us for a guided walking tour to get a closer look at the wildlife and habitats found nestled into the St Pete Pier. During this 90 minute walking tour, participants will learn how to become citizen scientists by discovering how to properly identify species and how to import their sightings into a global data collection platform. There will be multiple stopping points along the way as we examine the interactions between humans and nature while conducting citizen science.
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 12/20
Grab your binoculars and join us for the biggest bird-watching event of the season! The Christmas Bird count is a cherished winter tradition among birdwatchers and nature lovers, and the longest-running citizen science project in the US. Through a relaxing stroll along Tampa Bay, we will spot seabirds - local and migratory alike – while also working to collect population data on these beautiful creatures. Use your keen eye to help us spot and identify every bird species from multiple different regions of Tampa Bay. Help us contribute to seabird conservation by joining us for the Christmas Bird Count! While this tour is free to join, a $20 donation is recommended and all proceeds will be directly donated to the Audubon Society and Tampa Bay Watch. Registration is required and space is limited.
Tabling Event: Lida's Jungle Christmas Market
Tabling Event: If you are looking for some nature/bird related gifts - stop by our St. Pete Audubon table at the Holiday Market at Lida's Jungle (3101 Dr. MLK Jr N, St. Pete) next Sunday (12/14) from 10am-2pm.
Field Trip: Boyd Hill 1st Saturday
St. Petersburg Audubon is continuing the Ron Smith “1st Saturday” Boyd Hill Field Trips.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St Petersburg, FL 33705. Walk is on dirt trails and boardwalks.
Meet in front of the Nature Center at 7:45am, walk will start at 8:00am.
What to Bring: Hat, Binoculars, Insect repellant, Sunscreen (although portions will have shade). Water is available on some of the trails. The Nature Center has bathrooms.
