TAS 2007-2008 Calendar

TAS 2007-08 Event Calendar

Tropical Audubon Society is proud to once again offer an outstanding lineup of outings and monthly programs. You will see bird, plant and butterfly trips; morning trips, all day trips, overnight trips; outings nearby and outings afar; the very important seasonal bird counts; special events (Birdathon!!); workdays; plant sales; and lots of ways to have a good time while supporting a great cause and learning more about our native environment. Please mark your calendars and join us!

All trips (except for the Dry Tortugas trips) are led by volunteer leaders from the Tropical Audubon Society. Unless otherwise indicated, they are free and open to the public, and reservations are not necessary. Trips run rain or shine, except when there is a hurricane or tropical storm. For more information concerning any field trip, email the field trip coordinator, or call him at (305) 388-1544. For more information concerning workdays and plant sales, email TAS or call TAS at (305) 667-7337.

Please remember that some parks charge entrance fees, participants usually share gasoline costs for carpool trips, and overnight and boat trips will mean additional costs. Also, on some of the nature walks a fee may be required. Please note the reservation deadline on trips where reservations are required. To allow communication with trip leaders, walkie-talkies are recommended for carpool trips. The specifics for each trip are indicated below. In some cases, the trip leader has included his/her email address and phone number for direct contact.

indicates a trip with bilingual leaders.

The schedule will be updated as more information becomes available.

JULY 2007

Sat. July 21 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Want to learn about native plants, help Tropical maintain our native landscape at the Doc Thomas House and get your hands dirty? We need you! Show up anytime between 8:30-noon and you will find a host of hard workers. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours. Call 305-667-7337 or e-mail volunteer@tropicalaudubon.org for more information.

AUGUST 2007

Sat. Aug. 18 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Sat. Aug. 18 — Everglades Agricultural Area Birding

Brian Rapoza will lead an all day carpool trip to the sod farms in the Belle Glade area of Palm Beach County. Meet at 6:00am at the east gate (SW 55th Ave.) of the Doc Thomas property (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami). There will be a lunch stop at a restaurant. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Wed. Aug. 22 — Conservation Meeting

TAS members and guests are invited to attend this and other Conservation Committee meetings at 7:30 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., Miami, 33143. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.

Sat. Aug. 25 — Butterflies and Birds of CREW Marsh

Join the Miami Blue chapter of the North American Butterfly Association and Tropical Audubon Society for a joint carpool trip to CREW Marsh in Collier County, with a late day stop at Everglades City and dinner at the Rod & Gun Club before returning to Miami across Tamiami Trail. Leaders: Roger Hammer and Brian Rapoza.

CREW Marsh (Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed) contains 5000 acres of pineland, hammock and freshwater marsh, with 5 miles of well-maintained trails. According to Roger Hammer, this little known preserve, adjacent to National Audubon's popular Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, offers a wealth of plants and wildlife, including over 60 species of butterfly, which approaches half of the species seen in South Florida. This includes many rarities plus several commonly sighted in the Corkscrew area: Orange Sulphur, Red-banded Hairstreak, Little Metalmark, Red Admiral, Carolina and Georgia Satyr, Southern Skipperling and Silver-spotted, Least, Twin-spot, Brazilian and Salt Marsh Skipper.

To carpool, meet at 6:00am at the east gate (on SW 55th Ave.) of the Doc Thomas property (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami). Bring lunch, lots of water and sun, rain and mosquito protection. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

For those not carpooling, directions follow: From Tamiami Trail (U.S. Highway 41), turn north onto State Road 29, through Immokalee. About 5 miles past the town, turn west (left) onto State Road 82; proceed west 5.3 miles to County Road 850 (Corkscrew Road) and turn south (left). Main entrance is 1.5 miles farther, on your left, with entrance sign on a wood fence with bold blue letters. From I-75, take Exit 123, turn east onto County Road 850 (Corkscrew Road). Proceed east about 18 miles, past the locked gate entrances, to the main entrance on your right, with entrance sign on a wood fence with bold blue letters.

SEPTEMBER 2007

Sat. Sept. 1 — Bill Baggs Cape Florida Bird Walk

Jeff Weber will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The park opens at 8:00 AM. Participants should meet at No Name Harbor. (Turn right at the first intersection after the park toll booth. A sign will indicate No Name Harbor.) The walk will begin by 8:15 AM. Costs include an entrance fee to the park and the Rickenbacker Causeway toll.

Sat. Sept. 8 — Matheson Hammock / Fairchild Tropical Garden Bird Walk

John Boyd will lead birders through Matheson Hammock and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The group meets at 7:30am in the parking area on the left inside the Matheson north entrance. Entry to Fairchild is at 10:00am. The Fairchild entrance fee will be waived for TAS members. Return is at approximately 11:30am.

Sun. Sept. 9 — A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk

Bill Boeringer will lead birders through A.D. Barnes Park. Enter on SW 72nd Ave. just north of Bird Rd. (SW 40th St.) and take the first left to park near the baseball fields. Meet at 7:30am, returning at approximately 11:00am.

Wed. Sept. 12 — John Kellam, The Florida Panthers of Big Cypress

John Kellam, a member of the Big Cypress National Preserve Florida Panther capture/monitoring team, had the unique opportunity to be a participant during the remarkable 2007 season, where an unprecedented number of previously un-collared cats were captured and an abundance of kittens were processed at den sites. For the first time, the entire season was documented in exquisite detail by the camera lens of Ralph Arwood, a local professional wildlife photographer, whose stunning photographs offer a rare glimpse of this fascinating denizen of the Big Cypress Swamp. Experience the Florida Panther as never before as John narrates this extraordinary photographic journey.

Membership meetings are open to the public and held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., near Red Rd. The doors open at 7:30pm and the program begins at 8:00pm. Early-birds may join us at 6:00pm for a pre-meeting dinner at Beverly Hills Café, on Sunset Drive across from Doc Thomas House. Call (305) 667-7337 for more information.

Sat. Sept. 15 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Sat. Sept. 15 — North American Migration Count

The North American Migration Count (NAMC), sponsored in Florida by the Florida Ornithological Society, with the assistance of local Audubon chapters, bird clubs and other interested organizations, is a semi-annual snapshot of the progress and shape of bird migration. On Saturday, September 15, birders from around the country will be collecting information on the abundance and distribution of both migrant and resident birds. If you can find and identify birds and would like to participate in the count in either Miami-Dade or Monroe County, email us at fieldtrips@tropicalaudubon.org. We'll send you NAMC instructions and a checklist. We'll also let you know which areas need coverage (or, you can let us know which area you wish to cover; it could be your own backyard, neighborhood, a local park or other natural area). It is important that there is no overlap or duplication of coverage areas, so please contact us before September 15.

Sun. Sept. 16 — Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Bird Walk

Paul Bithorn will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The park opens at 8:00 AM. Participants should meet at No Name Harbor. (Turn right at the first intersection after the park toll booth. A sign will indicate No Name Harbor.) The walk will begin by 8:15 AM. Costs include an entrance fee to the park and the Rickenbacker Causeway toll.

Sat. Sept. 22 — A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk

Robin Diaz will lead birders through A.D. Barnes Park. Enter on SW 72nd Ave. just north of Bird Rd. (SW 40th St.), turn left at the T intersection and park in spaces on either side of the road. Meet at 7:30am, returning at approximately 11:00am.

Sun. Sept. 23 — Matheson Hammock Bird Walk

Joe Barros will lead birders through Matheson Hammock on Old Cutler Rd. immediately north of Fairchild Gardens. The group meets in the parking area on the left inside the north park entrance at 7:30am. Return is at approximately 11:00am.

Wed. Sept. 26 — Conservation Meeting

Canceled!

Sat. Sept. 29 — Greynold's Park Bird Walk

Jim King will lead birders through Greynold's Park, 17530 West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach. Meet at the park boathouse at 7:30am. Parking is available near the playground and the elevated mound opposite the boathouse. Return is at approximately 11:00am.

Sun. Sept. 30 — Cutler Bay Birding

Roberto Torres will lead this tour of Cutler Bay birding locations. Meet at Bill Sadowski Park, 17555 SW 79 Ave., at 7:30am. Other stops may include Black Point, Dump Marsh and Cutler Wetlands. Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

OCTOBER 2007

Sat. Oct. 6 — Corkscrew Swamp / Tigertail Beach Birding

Brian Rapoza will lead an all day carpool event to Collier County. Meet at 6:00am at the east gate (on SW 55th Ave.) of the Doc Thomas property (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami). There is an admission fee for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (discount for Audubon members). Bring lunch and wading shoes. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Sun. Oct 7 — A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk

Gigi Pardo will lead birders through A.D. Barnes Park. Enter on SW 72nd Ave. just north of Bird Rd. (SW 40th St.), turn left at the T intersection and park in spaces on either side of the road. Meet at 7:30am, returning at approximately 11:00am.

Wed. Oct. 10 — Elston Raimundo Chavarria, Latin American Adventures

Elston Raimundo Chavarria, a forester formerly with the U.S. Forest Service, has spent several years experiencing the many natural wonders that Latin America has to offer; his travels have taken him to Mexico, Belize, Guatamala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Brazil. He has recently created an eco-tourism company, Latin American Adventures, offering ecological expeditions to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. His itineraries include opportunities for hiking, biking, birding, river rafting, snorkeling and horseback riding. In tonight's presentation, Elston discusses ongoing efforts to conserve natural areas throughout Central America, and the cultural and economic effects of habitat conservation, including eco-tourism opportunities.

Sat. Oct. 13 — South Dade Birding

John Boyd will lead this all day carpool trip, which may include stops at Lucky Hammock, Castellow Hammock and Dump Marsh. Meet at 7:00am in the parking lot of the Burger King on US-1 in Florida City (just after the end of the turnpike). This is an all day trip. Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Thurs. and Sat. Oct. 18 and 20 — Learn to bird! BIRDING 101 with Brian Rapoza

This is a 2-part program focusing on finding and identifying the birds of South Florida. On Thurs., Oct. 18 at the Doc Thomas House (5530 Sunset, Miami), Brian Rapoza, TAS field trip coordinator and author of Birding Florida, will cover bird watching basics and present slides of the area's resident and visiting birds. On Sat. Oct. 20, you can put this newly found knowledge to use on a walk in a local park. Call 305-388-1544 for more information. Reservations and fee required: $35.00 for an individual TAS member / $40.00 for TAS member families / $40.00 for nonmember individuals / $45.00 for nonmember families (family prices include as many kids as you want to bring). Fee includes a copy of Birding Florida. Children and adults will enjoy this class. We would love to see more people of all ages interested in our unique natural heritage!

Sat. Oct. 20 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Wed. Oct. 24 — Conservation Meeting

Sat. Oct. 27 — Shark Valley / Loop Road Birding

Paul Bithorn will lead this carpool trip. Meet at 7:00am at the east gate (SW 55th Ave.) of the Doc Thomas property (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami). Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

NOVEMBER 2007

Sat. Nov. 3 — Everglades National Park Birding

John Boyd will lead this all day carpool trip. Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Sat.-Sun. Nov. 3-4 — Native Plant Sale at Doc Thomas House.

Our native plant sales are famous and fun. We have a great selection of South Florida plants with knowledgeable sales people to help you choose the best ones for your yard. Come early for the best selection, stay late to enjoy the company.

Sat. Nov. 10 — Everglades National Park Beginning Bird Walk

Susan Schneider will lead this trip. Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch.

Sat. Nov. 17 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Sat. Nov. 17 — Wakodahatchee / Green Cay Wetlands Birding

John Hutchison will lead this carpool trip. Meet at 7:30am at Wakodahatchee (13026 Jog Road, about 1.5 miles north of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County.)

Wed. Nov. 28 — Conservation Meeting

DECEMBER 2007

Sat. Dec. 1 — South Florida Exotics Trip

Paul Bithorn will lead birders in search of parrots, bulbuls, mynas, and other introduced species in this carpool trip. Meet at 1:00pm at the east parking lot of Baptist Hospital (8950 N Kendall Drive). Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Sat. Dec. 15 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Christmas Bird Counts

Join the Bird Counts! Every year since 1900 teams of interested birders have joined together across the country to count the number of individual birds within each species occurring on the same date in the same place. This huge task is coordinated by the National Audubon Society. The consistency of the count creates a viable set of statistics that can be compared and used to measure the effects that changes in the environment have had on the bird population. These measurements act as important warnings of environmental deterioration that should be heeded. In addition to the serious consequences of the bird counts, they are a fun way to spend a day with fellow birding enthusiasts. This is an all day event. Volunteers are needed for all areas.

Fri. Dec. 14 — Biscayne National Park CBC

Coordinated by Max Tritt. For additional information, contact Max via email.

Fri. Dec. 14 — Key Largo CBC

Coordinated by Brennan Mulrooney. For additional information, contact Brennan at the Tavernier Science Center (305) 852-5318.

Sat. Dec. 15 — Miami-Dade County CBC

Coordinated by Brian Rapoza. For additional information, email Brian.

Sat. Dec. 15 — Lower Keys CBC

The count starts at 7:30am at the Blue Hole on Key Deer Boulevard, Big Pine Key. Coordinated by Mark Hedden. For additional information contact Mark via email or by calling 305-587-6059.

Sat. Dec. 22 — Kendall CBC

Coordinated by Bill Boeringer. For additional information, contact Bill via email.

Sat. Dec. 29 — Coot Bay / Everglades CBC

Coordinated by Brian Rapoza. For information, email Brian.

Sat. Dec. 29 — Key West CBC

The count starts at 7:30am at Indigenous Park on Key West, at the Atlantic end of White Street, near the White Street Pier. Coordinated by Mark Hedden. For additional information contact Mark via email or by calling 305-587-6059.

Wed. Jan. 2 — Long Pine Key CBC

Coordinated by Robin Diaz. For additional information, email Robin.

JANUARY 2008

Sat. Jan. 5 — South Dade Birding

Roberto Torres will lead this all day carpool trip, which may include stops at Lucky Hammock, Castellow Hammock and Dump Marsh. Meet at 7:00am in the parking lot of the Burger King on US-1 in Florida City (just after the end of the turnpike). This is an all day trip. Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Wed. Jan. 9 — David Lee, Nature's Palette: Plant Colors, Birds, and Evolution

As anyone who's seen a male Painted Bunting or a scarlet Firebush can testify, color is one of the first features we appreciate about nature. Based on his new book "Nature's Palette: The Science of Plant Color" (University of Chicago Press, 2007), FIU Biology Professor David Lee will discuss how plants produce color, and how their colors attract birds for both pollination and seed dispersal. Hummingbirds and the color red are just the beginning. Join us for a colorful midwinter presentation. Copies of Dr. Lee's book will be available for sale, and may also be found in the Nature and Ecology section of the TAS Store.

Membership meetings are open to the public and held at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Dr., near Red Rd. The doors open at 7:30pm and the show beginning at 8pm. Call for more information (305) 667-7337.

Sat. Jan. 12 — Wakodahatchee /Green Cay/ Loxahatchee NWR Birding

John Boyd will lead this carpool trip. Meet at 7:30am at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (13026 Jog Road, about 1.5 miles north of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County.) Bring lunch. There is an entrance fee to the LNWR. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Fri.-Mon. Jan. 18-21 — North Florida Birding

Brian Rapoza and Paul Bithorn will lead this four day, three-night van trip to the Tallahassee area. Costs of $300.00 per person double occupancy ($100.00 single supplement) include hotel and van/gas. Reservations are required by January 4. Email Brian for further information.

Sat. Jan. 19 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Wed. Jan. 23 — Conservation Meeting

Sat. Jan. 26 — North Broward Birding

John Hutchison will lead this carpool trip to birding locations in northern Broward County. Meet at 8:00am at Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek (just south of Atlantic Boulevard and west of Florida's Turnpike). Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

FEBRUARY 2008

Sat. Feb. 2 — Everglades National Park Beginning Bird Walk

Jeff Weber will lead this trip. Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch.

Sat. Feb. 9 — Everglades National Park Birding

This is an all day carpool trip with Robin Diaz. Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National Park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Wed. Feb. 13 — Katherine Drew, Eating Blue: Sustainable Seafood in South Florida and Beyond

Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution: Eating fish may be healthy for you, but it can be a disaster for the ocean. University of Miami doctoral candidate Katherine Drew discusses the challenges of developing sustainable fisheries, her research on white marlin, and how consumers can make healthy decisions for the ocean and themselves, whether they are eating in south Florida or the rest of the world.

Sat. Feb. 16 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Sat. Feb. 16 — Marco Island Birding

Brian Rapoza will lead this all day carpool trip, which will include stops at Big Cypress Bend boardwalk, Eagle Lakes Park, and Tigertail Beach. Meet at 6:30am at the east gate (SW 55th Ave.) of the Doc Thomas property (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami). Bring lunch. The first stop will be at Kirby Storter Park. Shared gasoline costs, plus $4.00 per vehicle at Tigertail Beach. Bring lunch and wading footwear.

Wed. Feb. 20 — Conservation Meeting: Hold the Line Campaign Party

Tropical Audubon Society cordially invites you to a Hold the Line Campaign Party the Doc Thomas House. In 2006, Hold the Line and citizens like you defeated 9 applications to move Miami-Dade's Urban Development Boundary. This year, developers again threaten to overcrowd our schools, overextend our fire and rescue services and clog the roads already taxing quality of life for Miami-Dade families. Come visit with friends; meet people who care about your protecting our community. At the party, you have the chance to find out what's been in store, ask questions and be empowered to make a difference! When: Wednesday, February 20th 6:00p.m. Call 305-667-7337 for more information.

Sat. Feb. 23 — West Broward Birding

John Hutchison will lead this carpool trip to birding locations in western Broward County. The trip begins at Markham Park, 16001 SR 84 in Sunrise. Meet at the nature trail parking area (turn left after the entrance station) at 8:00 AM. Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Sat.-Sun. Feb. 23-24 — Native Plant and Book Sale at Doc Thomas House.

Kick-start conservation at home by purchasing some native plants at the next Tropical Audubon Society Native Plant Sale. There will be over 60 species of native plants — trees, shrubs, ground cover, palms, grasses, vines, wildflowers, and even cacti — available for creating bird, butterfly, and wildlife habitat, and also to help conserve water. Experts will be on hand for advice. Cash, checks, credit cards accepted. There will also be a large selection of used books for sale. All proceeds support the Tropical Audubon Society, a strong conservation voice in South Florida. The Doc Thomas House and Botanical Garden is located at 5530 Sunset Drive in South Miami, FL. The gate opens both days at 9 a.m. Saturday the event will close at 5 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.

MARCH 2008

Sat. Mar. 1 — Everglades National Park Birding

This is an all day carpool trip. John Boyd Meet in the parking lot of the Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National park at 7:30am. There is an entrance fee to the park. Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

Sat. Mar. 8 — Shark Valley Biking and Birding

Brian Rapoza leads this 15 mile bike and birding tour on Shark Valley's tram road. Everglades National Park entrance fee is required. Bring a bicycle (rentals are available at Shark Valley), helmet, lunch, water and insect repellent. Mid-afternoon return. Reservations are required by March 1. Limited to 20 participants. E-mail Brian for further information.

Wed. Mar. 12 — Trey Mitchell, On Becoming a Birder/Photographer: How, What, When, and Where

Everyone who's ever checked the Tropical Audubon Birdboard has learned never to miss Trey's gorgeous photos of everything from dragonflies to orchids to every species of bird--even tiny warblers and hummingbirds, and even flying and foraging. How does he do it? Learn his secrets, and follow his adventures over the past few years as he became — simultaneously! — a highly skilled birder and a professional nature photographer.

Sat. Mar. 15 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Sat. Mar. 15 — Wakodahatchee / Green Cay Wetlands Birding

Nancy Freedman will lead this carpool trip. Meet at 7:30am at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (13026 Jog Road, about 1.5 miles north of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.)

Sat. Mar. 15 — Native Plant Day and Birdwalks at Elaine Gordon Enchanted Forest

See the flyer for details. The day leads off at 8am with a 1 hour Early Bird Walk lead by Joe Barros (TAS) and Jim King (Miami-Dade Parks) Bring Binoculars if you have them.

At 11:15am there is a Native Plants, Birds and Butterflies Walk. Walk through the hammock and other areas of the park with naturalists. There are other events throughout the day.

Sun. Mar. 16 — Spring Wildflower Walk with Roger Hammer

Well known South Florida plant expert, Roger Hammer, will lead this walk down the Long Pine Key Nature Trail in Everglades National Park. See the wildflowers, butterflies and birds that share the varied habitat of pine rockland, Everglades prairie and upland hammock communities. This is an excellent chance to see the grass-pink orchid in bloom. Meet at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center in Everglades National Park at 8am, return approximately 11:30am. Reservations and fee required: $40 members/$45 nonmembers includes an autographed copy of Roger's recent book, Everglades Wildflowers. Call 305-247-1634, or e-mail Roger to register or for more information.

Wed. Mar. 26 — Conservation Meeting: Peter Frezza on Algal Blooms

Peter Frezza from Audubon of Florida will speak about Algal Blooms and other issues affecting Florida Bay.

Sat. Mar. 29 — Lake Kissimmee Area Birding

This is an all day carpool trip to the Lake Kissimmee State Park and Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. Meet Brian Rapoza at 6:00am at the east gate of the Doc Thomas property on SW 55th Ave. just south of Sunset (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami). Bring lunch. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

APRIL 2008

Wed. Apr. 9 — Richard Kern, Empires of the Sun

Rich Kern, former Audubon Wildlife Film lecturer, will present his film “Empires of the Sun” on April 9th. Members are welcome to attend this 40 minute live-narrated film. The film is an exploration of rainforest life through the eyes of the ancient Maya and Inca civilizations.

Rich will also speak briefly about a project he and his brother Jim are doing in Costa Rica. Jim is a former Tropical Audubon board member and founder of the Florida Trail. The Kerns are inviting partners to join them in preserving and enjoying nearly 500 acres of virgin cloud forest in the Savegre Valley—prime habitat for nesting quetzals. Members of their group will have the right to reserve a small lodge that will be built on a small, cleared portion of the land.

TAS 6th Annual Birdathon!!!
Saturday, April 5 – Sunday, April 20

Raise money for TAS! Tropical Audubon's Sixth Annual Birdathon is coming in April. Bird for up to 24 consecutive hours anytime during April 5-20. Collect pledges per bird seen or for the whole day. Win prizes! Stay tuned for more information about our exciting Birdathon...fun teams, good prizes, all day birding and all for a good cause!

Sat. Apr. 5 — Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Bird Walk

Robin Diaz will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The park opens at 8:00 AM. Participants should meet at No Name Harbor. (Turn right at the first intersection after the park toll booth. A sign will indicate No Name Harbor.) The walk will begin by 8:15 AM. Costs include an entrance fee to the park and the Rickenbacker Causeway toll.

Sun. Apr. 6 — Matheson Hammock Bird Walk

Sun. Apr. 6 - Wed. Apr. 30 — Dry Tortugas Spring Migration Boat Trips

Larry Manfredi leads birders aboard the Playmate out of Key West. These four-day, three-night trips are every birder's dream! Eight trips available: April 6-9, April 9-12, April 12-15, April 15-18, April 18-21, April 21-24, April 24-27, April 27-30. Reservations and fee required. Ten percent of your fee will be donated to TAS and is tax-deductible. Email Larry or call 305-258-9607. More information is on Larry's website.

Sat. Apr. 12 — A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk

Sun. Apr. 13 — Cutler Bay Birding

Fri.-Sun. April 18-20 — Ft. DeSoto Birding

Sold Out! Brian Rapoza and Paul Bithorn lead this three-day, two-night van trip to Ft. DeSoto and other spring migration hotspots in the Tampa Bay area. Stops en-route will include Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area, Oscar Scherer State Park and Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility.

Sat. Apr. 19 — Greynold's Park Bird Walk

Sun. Apr. 20 — Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Bird Walk

David Wright and Mary Ellen Ahearn will lead birders through Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The park opens at 8:00 AM. Participants should meet at No Name Harbor. (Turn right at the first intersection after the park toll booth. A sign will indicate No Name Harbor.) The walk will begin by 8:15 AM. Costs include an entrance fee to the park and the Rickenbacker Causeway toll.

Sat. Apr. 19 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Wed. Apr. 23 — Conservation Meeting: FPL Turkey Point Discussion

Turkey Point Power Plant Expansion Panel Discussion. FPL will be giving an in depth presentation of the proposed Nuclear Power Plant expansion, please come and get your questions answered.

Sat. Apr. 26 — A.D. Barnes Park Bird Walk

Susan Schneider will lead birders through A.D. Barnes Park. Enter on SW 72nd Ave. just north of Bird Rd. (SW 40th St.), turn left at the T intersection and park in spaces on either side of the road. Meet at 7:30am, returning at approximately 11:00am.

Sun. Apr. 27 — Matheson Hammock Park Bird Walk

John Boyd will lead birders through Matheson Hammock on Old Cutler Rd. immediately north of Fairchild Gardens. The group meets in the Matheson parking area on the left, inside the north park entrance, at 7:30am.

Sun. Apr. 27 — TAS Wingding: 4-7pm, Doc Thomas House

Celebrate another great year with us at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Our Keynote Speaker will be Paul Souza, of US Fish and Wildlife Service. He will speak on Restoring Our Everglades: Our Common History, Our Vision for the Future. Conservation Awards, Birdathon Winners, our 3rd Annual Silent Auction, and more! Flock to our Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 27th from 4 to 7 pm, at the Doc Thomas House, located at 5530 Sunset Drive.

MAY 2008

Sat. May 3 — North Key Largo State Botanical Site: Birds, Butterflies and Native Plants

Joe Barros will lead this trip to the largest remaining tract of coastal tropical hardwood hammock in the Florida Keys. Meet at 7:30am in the parking lot of the Burger King on US-1 in Florida City (just after the end of the turnpike). Bring water and insect repellent. Walkie-talkies are recommended. Lunch at a Key Largo restaurant.

Thurs. May. 8 — Wind Across the Everglades 7pm, Doc Thomas House

Movie Announcment The Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) and Tropical Audubon Society join forces to bring you Wind Across the Everglades. This 1958 classic, never released on DVD or video in the US, start Burl Ives, Chris Plummer and Gypsy Rose Lee. Get a glimpse of Miami in its pioneer days as you're transported to a conservation battlefield where the Audubon Society takes on the Cottonmouth Gang to protect wading birds from plume hunters. The battle gets nasty as elements of the Everglades become weapons...beware death by manchineel!

When: Thursday, May 8. Doors open at 7:00pm.
Where: Doc Thomas House (5530 Sunset Drive)
Tickets: $20 at the door. Proceeds will be split between IRC and TAS to support underfunded conservation projects.

For more information, call (305) 247-6547.

Sat. May 10 — North American Migration Count

The North American Migration Count (NAMC), sponsored in Florida by the Florida Ornithological Society, with the assistance of local Audubon chapters, bird clubs and other interested organizations, is a semi-annual snapshot of the progress and shape of bird migration. On Saturday, May 10, birders from around the country will be collecting information on the abundance and distribution of both migrant and resident birds. If you can find and identify birds and would like to participate in the count in either Miami-Dade or Monroe County, contact us at fieldtrips@tropicalaudubon.org. We'll send you NAMC instructions and a checklist. We'll also let you know which areas need coverage (or, you can let us know which area you wish to cover; it could be your own backyard, neighborhood, a local park or other natural area). It is important that there is no overlap or duplication of coverage areas, so please contact us before May 12.

Wed. May 14 — Skip Snow and Larry Perez, ENP Exotic Removal

Skip Snow and Larry Perez will come from Everglades National Park to discuss the parks problems with exotics and the plan to deal with them in the future. Food Provided.

Sat. May 17 — Workday at the Doc Thomas House

Sat. May 17 — Big Cypress Swamp Birding

Jeff Weber will lead this carpool trip to Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve. Meet at 6:00am at the east gate of the Doc Thomas property on SW 55th Ave. just south of Sunset (5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami). Bring lunch and insect repellent. Walkie-talkies are recommended.

JUNE 2008

Sat.-Sun. June 7-8 — Native Plant Sale at the Doc Thomas House

Sat. June 14-Sun. June 22 — Birds and Beasts of the Great Parks

Sold Out! Brian Rapoza and Paul Bithorn for this 9-day, 8-night adventure to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, in northwestern Wyoming, and Glacier National Park, in northwestern Montana. A wide variety of Rocky Mountain and western birds are possible in and around these incredibly scenic parks. Mammals we hope to encounter include bison, elk, moose, grizzly and black bear, mountain goat, bighorn sheep and gray wolf. Costs: $970.00 per person double occupancy (not including air fare to Billings, Montana); $400.00 single supplement.

TAS 2007-08 Calendar