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Birding AdventuresPaddy Cunningham
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Everglades Birding Festival
January 13 - 19, 2010
Outstanding Adventures • Everglades Fest • South Florida • Costa Rica • Panama • Virginia • Trinidad
PRINT & SHARE FLYER
2010 FESTIVAL REGISTRATION FORM (pdf)
Printable 2010 Schedule • List of Birds Seen
Gallery of some birds you'll find at the Everglades Birding Festival
Birding Adventures in: Broward - Corkscrew - Upper Keys - West Lake
Your Guides: Kevin Karlson, Paddy Cunningham, Ann Wiley, Angel and Mariel Abreu, Ken Burgener & David Simpson
EVERGLADES BIRDING FESTIVAL
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| Smooth-billed Ani |
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.
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
What you will receive
 Purple Gallinule
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Schedule of Events
Hollywood Beach Golf Resort - Festival Site
Printable map to the hotel (pdf). |
WEDNESDAY - 1/13 - OPENING RECEPTION
FESTIVAL & EVERGLADES ECOLOGY ORIENTATION,
HOLLYWOOD COUNTRY CLUB RESORT www.hollywoodbeachgolf.com (888) 895-6695
1600 Johnson St. Hollywood Fl. 33020
Printable map to the hotel (pdf).
REGISTRATION-3:00-4:00 p.m.
FESTIVAL & EVERGLADES ECOLOGY ORIENTATION-4:00-5:30 p.m.
HAPPY HOUR & FUN ACTIVITIES-5: 30-6: 30 p.m.
***FESTIVAL REGRISTRATION REQUIRED***-$25
**FIELD WORKSHOP-Everglades Ecology**
THURSDAY - 1/14 - EXPLORE BROWARD ADVENTURES
WEST LAKE PARK & ANNE KOLB NATURE CENTER- 9:00 a.m.-12 noon
GUIDE: Ann Wiley
Photos & Maps
HIKE/NATURE CENTER TOUR-Explore the largest preserved mangrove forest in south Florida at nearby West Lake Park. This trip includes a Naturalist led hike, and a tour of Anne Kolb Nature Center. Possible-Short-tailed Hawk, Prairie Warbler, Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Cost-$12
MANGROVE EXPLORATION-KAYAK TRIP-This 1-2-hour Kayak trip (depending on weather conditions) through the mangroves, which will include sneaking up, on Yellow-crowned Night Herons and wading birds. Visit the Anne Kolb Nature Center and it’s excellent marine science exhibits. EASY. Cost-$30
LUNCH ON YOU OWN-Try the LE TUB named the best hamburger in the U.S.
 Burrowing Owl |
 Great-Horned Owl |
 Common Myna |
GUIDES: Paddy Cunningham & David Simpson
Photos & Maps
Broward County is a great place for birding and we will search for Smooth billed Ani’s, Burrowing Owls, and Common Myna. A brief stop at a wetland will bring a variety of species such as Northern Harrier, Eastern Meadowlark, and waterfowl. At Brian Piccolo Park we will find the largest population of Burrowing Owls in the area. This tour includes walk at Long Key Nature Center for Great Horned Owl and wintering warblers. A sundown fly-in of more than 300 wading birds is an incredible sight to be seen. Van trip with easy boardwalk and trails. Cost-$35.
THIS TRIP WILL GO DIRECTLY TO BONNET HOUSE ENCHANTED EVENING.
ENCHANTED BONNET HOUSE EVENING 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Travel back in time to open porches, exotic gardens and tropical living while visiting the famous historical Bonnet House. This enchanting evening will include a guided house tour and a night hike to search for Owls and other night creatures. A candlelight dinner in the Island House with a special Florida menu and complimentary wine will make this an unforgettable night. Cost-$48
**FIELD WORKSHOP-Family Groups & Checklists as a Strategy for I.D. Success**includes handouts.
FRIDAY - 1/15 - CORKSCREW SWAMP & CENTRAL PRAIRIES ADVENTURE - 6:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m. OR
SHOREBIRDS & MORE WITH KEVIN KARLSON-KEY BISCAYNE & MIAMI EXOTICS - 6:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
 Barred Owl |
 Turkey |
 Crested Caracara |
GUIDES: Paddy Cunningham & Ken Burgener
Maps & Photos
The adventure will begin with Snake/Government Road through the Seminole Indian Reserve to look for Crested Caracara, Sandhill Cranes, Wild Turkey and the possibility of wintering sparrows, and White-tailed Kite. The National Audubon Societies’ famous Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a “MUST” when visiting south Florida with its famous 2-mile boardwalk. Its beauty is legendary and there is a chance for Painted Buntings, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owls and Limpkin, Black-crowned & Yellow-crowned Night Herons and wintering warblers. During lunch we will have a speaker gives us an update on Corkscrew and the fate of the Wood Stork.
Cost-$75.00. Includes: yummy picnic lunch, snacks, drinks, transportation and field workshop handouts. Bring your Audubon Card.
**Field Workshop-Birding by Ear**
 Wilson Plover |
 Snowy Plover |
 Blue-crowned Parakeet |
GUIDES: Kevin Karlson, David Simpson, Ann Wiley
Shorebird Expert KEVIN KARLSON will give you the SECRET to identifying this difficult group with a field and class workshop. At Crandon Park and Cape Florida /Bill Baggs State Park we will search for Wilson, Piping & Snowy Plovers, Horned Grebe, Lesser Black-backed Gull and other sea birds. After lunch we will search A.D. Barnes Park for wintering warblers, White-crowned Pigeon and the Kendall area for possible Bronzed Cowbird and exotic specialties such as Red-whiskered Bulbul and Mitred Parrots.
Cost-$70 includes yummy picnic lunch, snacks, drinks, transportation and field workshop handouts.
**Field Workshop-Shorebirds-Birding by Impression**
EVENING EVENT-Birding By Impression with Kevin Karlson
Special dinner & expert presentation-6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Happy Hour gathering-6:00 p.m. fun activities.
Cost-$30 festival registrant. Evening Event Only-$40.
Birding By Impression: A Simpler Method of Identification
This exciting new concept to field identification is changing the way that many people are enjoying and identifying birds in the field. Using impression based physical characteristics rather than scientific plumage analysis as the initial approach to field identification, a simple, yet surprisingly accurate picture is quickly obtained. The beauty and effectiveness of this approach lies in its simplicity and does not require knowledge of complicated feather anatomy or prior experience with birds. Beginners and experts alike will share the benefits, with common sense and a keen sense of observation - the most important tools needed. This interactive program will start by exploring Kevin’s personal birding journey of 27 years, with his recent ‘conversion’ to this creative approach, followed by photographs and explanations that depict the basic concepts of impression based birding. Audience members will be encouraged to share their thoughts and impressions of comparative photos, with questions and comments encouraged.Kevin has been a wildlife photographer for 26 years and active as a birder for 28 years. He has traveled from the wilds of the Alaskan Arctic to the rainforests of South America to photograph birds. He recently completed an innovative book called "The Shorebird Guide" with co-authors Michael O'Brien and Richard Crossley, released by Houghton Mifflin Publishers in April 2006. This comprehensive field guide stresses a new and exciting concept of field identification based initially upon physical impressions.
www.kevinkarlsonphotography.com
SATURDAY - 1/17 - PALM BEACH & EVERGLADES WETLAND RESTORATION ADVENTURE
GUIDES: Paddy Cunningham, Kevin Karlson, David Simpson & Ken Burgener
 Limpkin |
 American Bittern |
 Painted Bunting |
We have an excellent opportunity to see Everglades Restoration at it’s best while touring the Storm Water Treatment Area 5. Target species include Snail Kite, American Bittern, Roseate Spoonbill, Limpkin, Peregrine Falcon and up to 10 species of wintering ducks. A SPECIAL SOUTHERN BUFFET LUNCH is planned for you at the quaint Clewiston Inn. We will a quick stop after lunch at Lake Okeechobee to look for Osprey and Bald Eagle. At Okeeheelee Nature Center we will view one of the best feeders in south Florida for Painted and Indigo Buntings. This area can also produce possible Wood Ducks and Sandhill Cranes. Green Cay Wetlands are created filtering marshes that have attracted numerous wading birds, ducks and the possibility of Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Sora, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks Painted Buntings at their feeder and much more. All easy boardwalk and hiking trails. This trip should yield 80 plus species.
Includes: excellent southern buffet lunch featuring bar-b-que ribs & chicken, collared greens, corn bread & more, snacks, drinks, transportation and field workshop handouts.
**Mini workshop-Habitat as a strategy for i.d. success**
EVENING Activity-Discover Hollywood Beach’s “Famous Broadwalk”
Walk along Hollywood’s famous beachfront broadwalk to sample the local vibe and fare. A great evening out, with reasonable dinner prices.
Van will leave from the hotel at 6:30, return at 9:00 pm
Dinner on your own
SUNDAY - 1/18 - EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
GUIDES: Paddy Cunningham, Kevin Karlson, David Simpson, Ken Burgener and Angel & Mariel Abreu
 Prairie Warbler |
 Reddish Egret |
 Brown-headed Nuthatch |
 Roseate Spoonbills feeding |
Possible one early van leaving at 5:00 a.m. for dawn birding?
Early risers get the birds so we will start at Lucky Hammock and Annex, part of the Southern Glades Wildlife Environmental Area. Lucky Hammock has become locally famous, for producing many excellent birds such as Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Painted Bunting, Cave Swallow, wintering warblers and sparrows. At the visitor’s center we will have a short orientation and possible Ovenbird, Brown Thrasher and hummingbirds We will spend a lot of time at the famous Anhinga Trail getting a very close up view of wading birds, alligators and possible American Bittern. The close-by Gumbo Limbo trail usually has wintering Black-throated Green warbler and possible Brown-crested Flycatcher. On Research Road we will look for Short-tailed Hawk and White-tailed Kites. We will lunch at Long Pine Key and with a short hike we will search the pinelands for Eastern Towhee, Eastern Bluebird and possible Brown-headed Nuthatch. Then it will be off to Paurotis Pond for Roseate Spoonbills and Woodstorks. Flamingo is great for scanning Florida Bay to search for shorebirds, Reddish Egrets, Black Skimmers, Bald Eagle and who knows what else. At Eco-Pond there is a possibility of a variety of shorebirds and Cuban Yellow Warbler. This will be a long but amazing day at this unique ecosystem and globally recognized International Biosphere.
The day schedule may change depending on the tide and possibility of rare birds.
Cost-$70 includes yummy picnic lunch, snacks, drinks, transportation and field workshop handouts.
**Field Workshop-Behavior as a strategy for i.d. success**
EVENING KEYNOTE-NATIONAL EXPERT KEVIN KARLSON
BIRDS IN THE WIND-THE MIRACLE OF MIGRATION
KEYNOTE SPEAKER & BUFFET DINNER-6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
AWARD CEREMONY-fun awards for festival participant achievements
Happy Hour Gathering-6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Cost-$35 for festival registrant and Evening Event Only-$45 a.
BIRDS IN THE WIND-THE MIRACLE OF MIGRATION
Nothing is more fascinating in the avian world than migratory movements of birds. From 20,000-mile annual journeys of Arctic Terns to 1,200-mile non-stop flights of Blackpoll Warblers, there are still many unanswered questions concerning the "how, why, where and when" of bird migration. This show begins with a review of different types of bird migration, giving general and specific examples of each in photos and words. Kevin then highlights different bird families and selected species that perform amazing feats of physical endurance each year during migration. Finally, interesting facts will be shared that maintain the mystique of bird migration. Several short interludes put to music will allow beautiful action images to enhance the migratory experience.Kevin has been a wildlife photographer for 26 years and active as a birder for 28 years. He has traveled from the wilds of the Alaskan Arctic to the rainforests of South America to photograph birds. He recently completed an innovative book called "The Shorebird Guide" with co-authors Michael O'Brien and Richard Crossley, released by Houghton Mifflin Publishers in April 2006. This comprehensive field guide stresses a new and exciting concept of field identification based initially upon physical impressions.
www.kevinkarlsonphotography.com
ARTICLE- http://www.spacecoastbirding.com/scbwf/2008/articles/Karlson/index.html
MONDAY - 1/19 - UPPER KEYS & SOUTH DADE WETLANDS
GUIDES: Paddy Cunningham & David Simpson
Photos & Maps
 Golden Yellow Warbler |
 Clapper Rail |
 Royal Tern-seahorse |
Possibility of one van staying for dusk birding with a late return?
The day will start out at Card Sound Bridge where we will have a quick look for wintering warblers, shorebirds, Clapper Rail and “Cuban” Yellow Warbler. Stopping at the Key Largo Hammock Botanical Preserve can produce wintering warblers, hawks and some of the rarest plants in the U.S. We will try for Mangrove Cuckoo, but absolutely NO promises. We will visit John Pennekamp State Park to search for White-crowned Pigeon and Black-whiskered Vireos. At lunch there will be time to see the aquariums and displays at the visitor center. The day will end with looking for a large variety of wintering ducks, shorebirds and gulls at Old Cutler Wetlands. Dump Marsh has had a wintering Tropical Kingbird for 2 years and a possibility of Sora.
The late group could have Barn, Barred and Great Horned Owls and a possibility of Lesser Nighthawk.
Cost-$70 includes yummy picnic lunch, snacks, drinks, transportation and field workshop handouts.
**Mini workshop-Putting it all together and developing a mental checklist for i.d. success**
**5 DAYS OF TOP BIRDING** 170 PLUS SPECIES** TOP GUIDES**
**EXPERTS SPEAKERS**UNIQUE HABITATS**WORKSHOPS**FUN**
SPACE COAST BIRDING FESTIVALFor those going on to the Space Coast Wildlife & Birding Festival January 27-February 1, 2010, I can recommend places to bird in Florida: www.nbbd.com/fly.
Everglades National Park
An independent websiteCorkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
An education websiteLoxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee N.W.R.