Field Trips

AAS field trips are open to all – membership is not required.  Almost all are free. Some locations have an entrance fee which is the responsibility of the attendee. Participants are required to sign our waiver / release form. A contribution to our liability insurance of $1-$2 per person is optional. Please note the difficulty levels at the end of each field trip description. Reservations are not required. See the list of field trips here.

Birds and Brews

Birds and Brews is a monthly event meeting on the 1st Sunday afternoon year-round. The walks generally run 45 minutes to an hour. Meet at First Magnitude Brewery (1220 SE Veitch Street) for a leisurely stroll to Depot Park to look for birds, then return to First Mag for an optional cold brew and conversation. Loaner binoculars are available. Good for beginners and experts alike.

Wednesday Bird Walks at Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Our Wednesday morning bird walks at Sweetwater Wetlands Park are provided each Wednesday morning from Fall through Spring (the 1st week of September through the end of May). Meet at the entrance pavilion at 8:30 am. Loaner binoculars are available. There is a $5/vehicle entrance fee unless you have purchased an annual pass from the City of Gainesville.

Evening Programs

Evening Programs are free and open to the general public. Speakers in different areas of expertise present one-hour programs on current research topics, overseas travels, conservation projects, photography and more. Programs may be offered via Zoom or an in-person/Zoom hybrid format based on current conditions. Programs are recorded and posted on our YouTube channel. See upcoming offerings here.

Birding Classes

Santa Fe College Community Education, in partnership with Alachua Audubon, offers beginning birding courses during the Fall, Winter and Spring college terms. Each course consists of four sequential Saturday morning field trips to local birding areas, guided by local birding experts. Learn more here.

Bird Rambles

Bird Rambles are occasional weekday birding trips offering easier, more leisurely outings than our more energetic weekend fare. We typically walk 1-2 miles or less and stay on wide paths and even terrain. Find out more here.

June Challenge

The popular June Challenge is a way to keep us birding when the migrants have left us for their breeding grounds and the summer doldrums are starting to set in. It’s is a friendly month-long competition to see who can find the most bird species. It culminates with a party, photo show, and a trophy! Check it out here.

Backyard Birding Tour

The Backyard Birding Tour is Alachua Audubon’s annual spring trip through a variety of bird-interesting backyards. The lineup varies every year but the event is a great opportunity to visit several local back yards on a self-guided tour. You will see a variety of bird feeding set-ups, bird baths, native plantings, and more – all to attract the birds. Learn more here.

Alachua Audubon Events Calendar