Birding Adventures Paddy Cunningham 1653 Plunkett St. Hollywood, Florida 33020 birdpaddy@yahoo.com (954) 926-5458

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Outstanding Adventures • Everglades Fest • South Florida • Costa Rica • Panama • Virginia • Trinidad

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May 2010 Newsletter (pdf)

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SCHEDULE BIRDWATCHING AT ITS BEST OUR NEXT TRIPS 12/13-STORMWATER TREATMENT AREA 5-74 species One of the greatest birding hot spots these days is S.T.A. 5 in south Hendry County. This created wetlands is attracting tens of thousands of birds such as American Coots, Ring-necked Ducks and Blue-winged Teals. We also observed less common ducks such as Northern Shovelor, Ruddy Ducks, American Widgeon and rare Canvasback and super rare Eurasian Widgeon. Beautiful!! Flying closeby for good views were Peregrin Falcon and Snail Kites. A Limpkin and American Bittern were found along the cattails. Wading birds were in abundance and well as flocks of bright pink Roseatte Spoonbills and Wood Storks. On a second visit I observed a shy King Rail and Sedge Wren. A place was found nearby Old US 27 that had a male Bald Eagle by the nest, Painted Buntings and a mid-day fly in of 2 Great Horned Owls. 12/21-CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT Tree Top Park/Pine Island Ridge 78 species This year brought this highest number count ever in 9 years with 78 species. Highlights included Hooded Merganser, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Meadowlark, and a great collection of 9 raptors. 12/30-31-Everglades National Park 80 species It was a trip for Owls including Barred Owl at Mahogony Hammock, and amazing and close views of a Barn Owl at dusk flying over the field between Eco Pond and the camping entrance shack. A brief look at a Short-eared Owl in the near dark also at Eco-pond. Whoop Whoop Whoop WOW!! Excellent views of a rare white-phase Short-tailed Hawk was soaring over Anhinga Trail. Mrazek Pond was particularly busy this year with Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelors and Blue-winged Teals ducks. You might not need to do the 4 mile trek up mosquito infested Snake Bite Trail in that I saw 2 American Flamingos fly over at Eco Pond at sunset. January 9 - 8:30 am-11:30 Field Trip - Plantation Preserve COMPLETE SCHEDULE OUR LAST TRIPS AUGUST-15 or 22 - 6:00am Duda Farms, Sod Farms & Holey Lands FALL MIGRATION GETAWAY EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA-CHINCOTEQUE, CHESAPEAKE BAY SEPTEMBER 23-28, 2009 Flying into Norfolk, Virginia we will head to the Atlantic shore of Virginia to plunge into these excellent birding sites such as Chincoteque National Park, Assateaque National Seashore, Fisherman Island and Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge. DETAILS OCTOBER-17 - 6:30am Hawk Watch Grassy Key State Park-Card Sound Road, Key Largo Botanical site, Ana’s Beach Migrating raptors and songbirds OCTOBER 20 - 7:00pm Broward Audubon Evening Talk on the Everglades, A Natural Wonderland-West Lake/Anne Kolb Nature Center	EVERGLADES BIRDING FESTIVAL January 12-17, 2011 LEARN MORE EVERGLADES BIRDING FESTIVAL Become one with the River of Grass. Journey through southern Florida searching for an array of beautiful and rare birds in ancient moss-covered Cypress Swamps, Everglades prairies that join the sky, and brilliant beaches that sparkle with flashes of roseate wings. Scan across the tips of sawgrass searching the horizon for hovering Snail Kites, transverse over alligator ponds and hear the squeal of the elusive Limpkin. Watch and listen and see. Imagine a place of peaceful relationship with nature, where the intense excitement of finding new birds merges with a serene sense of shared joy with fellow birders. Increase your skills and knowledge base where expert instructors facilitate your participation in the birding experience and you learn the i.d. Gain a deeper connection with the environment, becoming a Bird Seeker who joins the peaceful flow of the river of grass. PRINT & SHARE FLYER Target Birds *Snail Kite    *Limpkin     *Painted Bunting     *Purple Gallinule     *Peregrine Falcon     *Roseate Spoonbill     *Smooth-billed Ani     *Wood Stork     *Reddish Egret     *Lesser Nighthawk     *Burrowing Owl     *Crested Caracara     *Pileated Woodpecker     *Sora     *Brown-headed Nuthatch LEARN MORE   OUTSTANDING ADVENTURES Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge, Three Lakes W. M. A., Viera Ponds, Turkey Creek February 13-15, 2010 Ft. De Soto, Celery Field April 24 & 25, 2010 Trinidad Adventure March 28 - April 2, 2010 Asa Wright Nature Center-Trinidad is going to be an amazing trips to a "MUST" birding destination. Join Me for the fun (rum punch and afternoon tea) and great tropical birds. This adventure is filled. We'll plan another soon. Canopy Tower I have the dates from the CANOPY TOWER for a pre-Easter trip to Panama which will include Canopy Tower for 3 nights and El Valle for 3 nights. I do not have a final price yet but hope to have it real soon and definently before the festival. The dates April 4-10, 2009.	BIRDING ADVENTURES 200 plus species in Florida per year Gain Life Birds Find Rare Birds Patient Instruction Expert Guiding Meet New Friends Visit Beautiful Natural Areas Learn New Skills Improve your ability to identify and locate birds SOUTH FLORIDA HOT SPOTS BROWARD HOT SPOTS COSTA RICA PANAMA - CANOPY TOWER EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA TRINIDAD SPACE COAST BIRDING & WILDLIFE FESTIVAL RAVE REVIEWS "You were a big hit with the attendees of the South Regional American Birding Association Conference. We couldn't of done it without you." — Chip, Assistant Coordinator of Events and Conferences A.B.A. "How does she do that? (find the birds) She has been doing it all day." Everglades Bird Festival birder SUMMER BREAK I'll be working on my ABA list in the Olympic peninsula and Alaska with the family. We will be a week in Washington-Mt. Rainer, Mt. St. Helen, Westport-pelagic & Greys Harbor, Victoria, Vancouver and more. In Alaska will be cruising on the inner passage; stopping at Keitchikan, Jeanau and Skagway. It is a trip of a lifetime and one I have waited 20 years for. Wish me luck, I am hoping for 100 species. BIRD LIST
	NEWS & NOTES February 10, 2010 Hello Birding Friends, I have so much to tell you about the Everglades Birding Festival and all the happenings at the Space Coast Birding Festival, but the birds are calling. I promise to send a newsletter soon with all the great details. BUT this is the last call for Central Florida Getaway (see below). I have room for one more lady (sorry guys) in my van and hotel accommodations. It is going to be an awesome weekend. Purple Sandpiper and Harlequin Duck are being seen at Sebastian Inlet S.P., Masked Duck at Viera Ponds and I had 91 species (WOW!) at Space Coast just on the wildlife drive and nearby refuge trails - Clapper Rail, Reddish Egret, Greater Black-backed Gull, Painted Bunting, and more. We'll be targeting Whooping Crane, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman's Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Snail Kite, Crested Carcara, Turkey and more at 3 Lakes WMA. Cape Canavera l- Brown Booby, Red-breasted Merganser, Northern Gannet, Scrub Jay and much more. We are gathering at my house at 7:30 am on Saturday and heading north for 3 days of top birding and the peak of wintering waterfowl. 100 plus species guaranteed or I'll eat dirt. **If you want to drive your own car or want to join us just for the day, PLEASE e-mail for details and alternative pricing. I just contacted the hotel and despite being a busy weekend there are still rooms available. FEBRUARY 13-15 - Forever Florida, 3 Lakes WMA, Zellwood, Merrit Island W. Refuge. Merrit Island has always been some of the best birding of the year. We will visit the wildlife drives to look for rare waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds. In the central prairies we will look for Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles and more. We will work up an appetite for a country “cookin” lunch at Forever Florida. In the 3 Lakes W. M. A. we will search for Whooping Cranes, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman Sparrow and Brown-headed Nuthatches. This trip should yield more than 100 species. Cost includes 3 days of expert birding, hot breakfast, hotel dbl. occupancy - on the Indian River. Van transportation for the first 5 people, 1 lunch. Late return on Sunday due to Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Cost-$355. **TRINIDAD** - TRIP HAS OPENED UP AGAIN!! recent cancellations has opened up this trip again. 3 spots are now available for this excellent trip to one of the most famous birding destinations in the world ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTER-for amazing tropical birding while enjoying afternoon tea and happy hours, Oilbird, boat tours to see Scarlet Ibis, numerous day trips, night tours and much more (see attached), All inclusive while at ASA WRIGHT. I recently checked VENT who is going in March and the cost is $2295 and they are not doing as much as us. So compare and see the value you are getting with Birding Adventures. Let me know as soon as possible. THANKS Become a Bird Seeker Paddy Cunningham Birding Adventures Everglades Birding Festival www.birdadventure.com Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 5:35 PM Happy Thanksgiving to All. I so excited by all the exciting birding adventures that await us in the coming year-Everglades Birding Festival, Merrit Island/Central Florida Presidents Day weekend and Trinidad tropical spring getaway. People are coming to the festival from more than 10 states so far and NEWS FLASH!! Kevin Karlson has decided to come down early and will be joining us for Thursdays Broward Hot Spots tour, Palm Beach Getaway and Everglades National Park too!! Asa Wright Nature Center-Trinidad is going to be an amazing trips to a "MUST" birding destination. Join Me for the fun(rum punch and afternoon tea) and great tropical birds. I already have 4 going and a few other interested birders. So let me know right away. I will need the $100 deposit as soon as possible. I am attaching the schedule and package information. The flight out of Miami is $259 as of this date and we should make our reservation to get on the flight AND for that price soon. I feel so blessed and are truly grateful for my birding gifts and to be able to offer you these amazing Birding Adventures. It is a blessing to be able to see and enjoy the wonder of birds. Become a Bird Seeker and Bird by Intention Paddy Cunningham Birding Adventures Everglades Birding Festival www.birdadventure.com From: Paddy Cunningham Pascatore <birdpaddy@yahoo.com> Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009 Hello Birding Friends, EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA Just back from our wonderful trip to the Eastern Shore of Virginia where we saw 121 species including Whimbrel, Wood Duck, Snow Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Nashville and Prothonotary Warblers and hundreds of raptors-Peregrine, Merlins, Sharp-shinned and Copper's Hawks. We ate lots of crab cakes and seafood,so yummy. We participated in a birding competition to benefit the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory which conducts the Hawkwatch and the amazing bird banding station which we all so enjoyed. It is such a wonderful experience to hold and release these precious songbirds. ALASKA My Alaska and Olympic peninsula trip yielded 51 new life birds for me including Tufted Puffin, Auklets, Murrelets, Common Murre and Black-footed Albatross and so much more. Too much to cover today, but I plan to do a blog on it soon. NEWSLETTER I am attaching my new copy of the newsletter. **PLEASE NOTE** the date change on the Merrit Island/Central Florida Getaway. I had to change the date due to my church's annual fair of which I am in charge of the corn booth. I know it is close to Thanksgiving, but I hope you can still work it into your schedule. Let me know as soon as you can if you would like to go. I will get a price out soon, but it will depend on the number of people going. I need to determine if I will just drive my car which will lower the price or if I need to rent a van. EVERGLADES BIRDING FESTIVAL It is getting so exciting. I have already been contacted by people as far away as California and Oregon and 7 other states. Great Guides are signing up to offer excellent birding and Kevin Karlson will be such an incredible experience for all. I just wanted to let everyone know it will have to be "first come, first serve" for field trips. I have paid registrants already, especially for Kevin Karlson's shorebird field trip. For my local friends who are use to me being a little considerate in paying prior to trips, I won't be able to extend that courtesy during the festival. So register EARLY!! Watch the weather for west winds for fallouts. Become a Bird Seeker and Bird by Intention Paddy Cunningham Birding Adventures Everglades Birding Festival www.birdadventure.com

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