WAITLIST ONLY. For additional information and to be added to the waitlist, email Eileen Gerle at info@veniceaudubon.org.
Join Venice Area Audubon's Eileen Gerle in Costa Rica for an 11 day adventure, hosted by Holbrook Travel. Birding locations inclue Savegre, Sarapiqui, Arenal, and Carara to visit Caribbean lowlands, premontane forest, tropical dry forest, mangroves, páramo, and more during hikes, boat rides, and an elevated tree canopy trail tour.
The trip is limited to 12 participants. Cost is approximately $3,300 per person. Airfare not included.
Join us for an approximately 45 minute, docent-led sunset walk around the Rookery Pond. Gather at the Rookery Park pavilion to meet your walk leader, then head to the pond and the short, trail/path walk (approximately 1/3 mile) around the pond while learning about the natural history of the bird species on the Rookery island and in the park.
The walk will feature nesting Great blue heron, Double-crested cormorant, Anhinga, White ibis and more as the breeding season proceeds into the spring. Little blue heron, Glossy ibis, Green heron, Purple martins and other birds are also seen around the pond and park throughout the spring season.
Alligators patrol the pond surrounding the Rookery island. The walk ends in time to for you to watch the park's resident bats leave their bat houses near the pond to begin their nightly feeding.
Dress for the weather including a light jacket on cool evenings, bug spray, and water, if needed. Binoculars will enhance your viewing experience. Limited binoculars are available for loan.
Registration is not required.
Walk about 2 miles in this gorgeous reserve in search of woodpeckers, warblers and other species. Participants are encouraged to use eBird and iNaturalist apps to document bird and plant species along the trail route. Bring binoculars, water, and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the horse trailer parking lot at 8:00 a.m.
Host: Patti Haynes, patti.haynes@gmail.com
All participants will be required to sign a waiver before beginning the field trip.
Registration is appreciated but not required.
Spring Volunteer Saturdays are scheduled from 8:30-10:30 AM. Whether you can volunteer just once or on a regular basis, please join us! Youth volunteers under age 18 are welcome with an adult.
Gardening and outdoor projects will be a priority, weather permitting. Indoor projects may include preparing the Center and/or materials for upcoming events and activities. Projects will vary seasonally or by need. We suggest you bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, and sturdy shoes.
Contact Bailey Cleveland at baileycleveland@veniceaudubon.org if you need more information.
Registration is appreciated to help us prepare our projects, but not required.
Join us for Mondays @ 10, a free, weekly series of presentations about various bird and nature topics from January 6 through April 14.
Many people have some familiarity with Purple Martins and the tradition of providing housing for the birds. But do you know how fascinating this species' life really is? Enjoy the presentation about the purple martins' natural history and the Venice Area Audubon colony's breeding season data, then participate in a nest count of eggs and babies as part of our ongoing data collection that continues throughout the breeding season.
Presenters: Barbara and Bob Zittel
All are welcome - members of the public as well as Venice Audubon Members.
Tonight we're having a party to thank and celebrate all the volunteers who give their time and enthusiasm for Venice Area Audubon Society's programs, events, and activities throughout the year. We'll also play Team JeoBIRDY! for some spirited fun and laughs, so bring your bird knowledge and good humor along, too.
This is a night for EVERYONE - volunteers and those who appreciate our volunteers! Come to celebrate, congratulate, and have fun before some of our members and friends "migrate" north until next season. .
PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW REGARDING THIS TRIP.
Cape Coral, Florida is home to the largest population of Burrowing Owls in our state. We'll gather at the Pelican Sports Complex (back parking lot) and meet with volunteers from Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. With CCFW as our guides, we'll do field observations of local owl burrows with the hope of also seeing some of this season's chicks! After time with the owls, we'll convene at a local park to learn about the Cape Coral burrowing owls and the work Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife engages in to protect this special species. Bring water, snacks, and sun protection as needed.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this event to ensure CCFW is prepared for our group's size.
If you'd like to stay after the Burrowing Owl program for further birding in the Cape Coral area: Bring a bag lunch with you. We will eat at Rotary Park which has picnic tables, an environmental center, and walking trails. Address for the park is 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral, 33914. The expected return to Venice time is 4 PM.
Carpooling: If you'd like to carpool (need a ride or provide a ride) from the Venice Area Audubon Center (4002 S. Tamiami Trail, behind the Anderson County Building), please email Bill Fairbank, wgfairbank@gmail.com and indicate if you will be staying for the optional birding trip AFTER the Burrowing Owls program.
Planning to drive directly to Cape Coral: Please inform Bill Fairbank, wgfairbank@gmail.com if you are driving directly to Cape Coral. Plan on an approximately 1 3/4 to 2 hour drive from Venice to the meeting location.
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is a 501 c3 nonprofit whose mission is to protect and preserve wildlife habitats in Cape Coral.
Join leaders Patti Haynes and Bob Clark on a tour around Lake Jervey and the surrounding SCF campus, located just south of the Wellen Park retail area on U.S. 41. Enjoy herons, egrets, ducks and more, highlighted by colorful Purple Gallinules.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the main parking lot next to the lake. Please note: most of this walk takes place on a paved path around the lake, so it is a particularly good walk for those with some physical limitations, including those requiring walkers or wheelchairs.
Host: Patti Haynes and Bob Clark, rlwclark@gmail.com
Participants will be required to sign a waiver before beginning the field trip.
Fire can be many things: frightening, destructive, fascinating, and necessary. In Florida, numerous plant and animal species depend on ecosystems that experience occasional fires. Today's program addresses the use of managed fires as a land management tool to protect and maintain Florida's natural environment.
Presenter: Teresa Good, Sarasota County Parks
Come walk with us through this ancient cypress forest. We will walk above the slough along the boardwalk looking for birds and visit four ponds on our walk. The cypress trees attract warblers, woodpeckers and other birds. The slough and the ponds attract wading birds. Hawks and owls have been seen too. Other animals may also be seen including alligators, turtles, and otters. The slough is filled with interesting native plants like cardinal air plants.
We will carpool from the Venice Audubon Center at 4002 Annex Rd,, Venice at 7:00 AM. Please inform Bill Fairbank if you are planning to drive directly to Six Mile Cypress Slough. . Bring a bag lunch with you. The expected return to Venice time is 4 PM. There is a parking fee of $1/hour for cars. Our guide will be ace birder Shirley Johnson.
Host: Bill Fairbank, wgfairbank@gmail.com
The unmistakable Crested Caracara can often been seen in open landscapes and sometimes even along rural roadsides in the Venice area. Is it a falcon? a hawk? an eagle? Learn about this striking bird and some of its unique characteristics that make it one of the most sought-after sightings for visitors to south Florida.
Presenter: Jim Rogers
Join us on a Venice Area Audubon Society fundraiser cruise to the rookery islands in Sarasota's Roberts Bay.
The cruise on the Carefree Learner boat will last about 2 hours. We will see three islands covered with nesting Brown Pelicans, herons, egrets and cormorants. In the past, we were thrilled to also see nesting Roseate Spoonbills and Reddish Egrets. This has been a popular trip in the past.
The cost of the cruise is $35 per person. The number of passengers is limited to 20. Detailed directions to the Carefree Learner berth will be provided to cruise participants later. The Carefree Learner has a full length canopy which provides some shelter from the sun, however it is recommended that participants use sunscreen.
Registration is required for this trip. Host: Bill Fairbank, wgfairbank@gmail.com
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Trip Cancellation due to circumstances beyond the control of Venice Area Audubon Society: Sometimes it becomes necessary to cancel the boat trip due to bad weather or other reason. When feasible the boat trip will be rescheduled at another date. Refunds will be made to those unable to accommodate the new date. If it is not feasible to reschedule the trip then refunds will be made to all of those who paid. Refunds will be sent to the mailing address on the reservation form.
Personal Trip Cancellation: Sometimes personal circumstances, such as illness, family matters, or other reasons require a person to cancel his or her participation in the boat trip. A refund will be made for personal trip cancellation up to 7 days before departure. If the participant finds a substitute, or the vacancy can be filled from the waiting list, within the 7 day period before departure then a refund will be made. Such refunds will be made only after the trip finishes. Refunds will be sent to the mailing address on the reservation form.
Venice Area Audubon Society Liability and Photo Release: At the start of the boat trip, all participants will be required to sign a form indicating they have read and agreed to the provisions of the VAAS Liability and Photo Release policy, as follows: By this agreement, I have voluntarily applied to participate in field trips sponsored by the Venice Area Audubon Society (VAAS). I expressly assume the risk of any harm that might occur directly or indirectly from travel to and from the field trip site and from any harm that might occur directly or indirectly from any forces of nature or wildlife that I may be exposed to that cause me injury. In addition, on behalf of myself and my assignees, heirs, personal representatives and legal representatives, in consideration of the opportunity to participate and attend the field trips organized by the VAAS and being eighteen (18) years of age or older, I hereby agree to release and hold harmless VAAS and its field trip volunteers, as well as the National Audubon Society. I grant VAAS, its representatives and members the right to take photographs of me and my property in connection with field trips and other VAAS activities. I authorize the use of same in print and/or electronically.
Learn about the natural history of the Venice Rookery's iconic birds. This program focuses on bird species that make the Rookery island their nesting home. Participants will learn about reproductive strategies including breeding behaviors, nest building, incubation, chick rearing, and fledging.
After the presentation and discussion, the group will observe the nesting birds at the Rookery. Wear clothing suitable for the weather including sun protection and sturdy shoes. Bring your own binoculars or borrow from Venice Audubon for the walk around the property.
Presenter: Eileen Gerle
Walk around the Grand Lake at Wellen Park to see wading birds, ducks, fly-overs and possibly least bitterns. The path is easy to walk because it is packed shell or paved. Meet out in front of Foxtail Coffee House in downtown Wellen Park at 8:00 AM. After the walk, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy getting to know fellow birders.
Hosts: Pattie Haynes and Bob Clark. Contact: Bob Clark, rlwclark@gmail.com
All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver before beginning the bird walk.
Read the book if you can, but please join the in-person Book Club discussion this month even if you haven't had time or opportunity to do so.
The selection this month is The Birds That Audubon Missed by Kenn Kaufman. Kaufman examines the scientific discoveries of John James Audubon and his artistic and ornithologist peers to show how what they saw (and what they missed) reflects how we preceive and understand the natural world.
Registration not necessary but appreciated.
NOTE: This is for in-person discussion. The Zoom discussion group will be listed as a separate, registration required event.
6:00 - Socializing and light refreshments
6:30 - Meeting begins
Read the book and join the in-person Book Club discussion on the 2nd Monday of the month.
NOTE: This is an online Zoom discussion.
Registration required to receive the Zoom link.
Email: info@veniceaudubon.org
Telephone: 941-496-8984
Sarasota County Call Center: 941-861-5000 (General information and directions)
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