Join local Audubon travelers Lloyd Davis and Pat Bartlett as they share their adventures of recent travel to Cuba. They will share their experiences of seeing the country, meeting people and viewing bird life. But not just bird life. We have been promised to hear about dragonflies, snakes, lizards, butterflies, and tiger beetles too.
This sounds really wild!
Social begins 6:30 pm. Talk begins at 7 pm.
This field trip is geared for kids from 6 to 18. Northeast Park is a small, urban park in the heart of Gainesville that is home to a variety of songbirds, including at least 4 species of woodpeckers. The park provides the perfect setting to get acquainted with these colorful, animated birds.
Ted Goodman will be your guide for this trip. We’ll meet at the parking lot by the tennis courts at 9:00 a.m. for a brief introduction, followed by birding in the park. Loaner binoculars will be available on a first-come-first served basis. Drinks and snacks will be provided. For insurance reasons, all children must be accompanied by an adult. It is not necessary to preregister.
Come hear about the amazing wildlife and landscapes of Southern Africa, including Lesotho! Listen to stories of a recent trip to this biodiverse and endemic-rich zone by Audubon travelers Adam and Gina Kent. The talk will focus on birds, but will also touch on other interesting aspects of the region such as mammals and fascinating landscapes. Learn about a diversity of natural communities including emblematic tropical woodland, the desert-like karoo, and fynbos, a shrubby heathland that looks more like something out of a Mediterranean garden than one’s typical vision of Africa.
Social time 6:30-7pm.
“So near, and yet so far away. . .” For half a century, Cuba was the mystery island for American birders and nature lovers. The island held an alluring charm enhanced by its inaccessibility. With the easing of travel restrictions in the past few years, travel to Cuba has become possible. Join two travelers as they guide you through the former terra vetita, where mule-drawn carts are common and tour buses are about the only vehicles on the roadways. We will visit the larger nature preserves for birds, visiting coastal mangrove, scrub land, savanna and swampland habitats. You’ll learn a little about the landscape, meet native wildlife and the endemics like the Cuban pygmy owl, the trogon, and the bee hummingbird. Your presenters will be Pat Bartlett and Rob Norton who combined forces to bring you this presentation.
Social time 6:30 – 7:00
Dragonflies and Damselflies are fascinating and conspicuous
components of our insect fauna. There are 169 species recorded
from Florida and 116 species have been found in Alachua County.
This program will cover basic biological facts about the group,
including anatomy, life cycle, reproduction, behavior, habitats, and
feeding. The non-technical discussion will be illustrated with
photographs of many local species. Presented by Dr. Franklin
Snelson, Jr.
Thursday, December 7, 2017 Millhopper Library, 3145 NW 43rd St., Gainesville.
6:30 social time, 7:00 program begins
Join Audubon traveler Erika Simons as she shares her adventures on a small ship cruise of the Southwest Alaska Inside Passage. The small ship not only allowed her to make new friends with her fellow travelers but also made daily off-boat activities possible. Passengers were offered kayaking, paddle boarding, beach meanders, bushwhacking, and photography. Wildlife viewing was often enhanced during these activities. Erika will share her photography of this adventure.
Location is the Millhopper Public Library, 3145 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32606, USA
Social time 6:30 p.m. Program 7:00 p.m.
Florida’s Charismatic Microfauna
Presented by Paul Moler
Social Time 6:30, program 7:00 p.m.
Although the vast majority of Florida’s wildlife species are invertebrates, most receive little attention. The important roles played by bees and butterflies are generally well known, but many other species toil away anonymously providing important ecosystem functions. Still others may not be major players but are nonetheless behaviorally or morphologically fascinating (“cool”). This program will introduce a select few of the less familiar members of our local fauna.
Scott Flamand, retired science teacher from Buchholz High School and former president, current vice president of Alachua Audubon Society will tell about a recent trip with a nature guide through northern India. Scott was very excited to be able to take this trip and we will find this an outstanding presentation about what he saw and learned in northern India.
Social Time 6:30, program 7:00 p.m.
Ginny Stibolt, a life-long gardener with a Master of Science degree in botany, will speak on topics from the book, Climate-Wise Landscaping: Practical Actions for a Sustainable Future by Sue Reed and herself. The book was published by New Society Press in 2018. The authors have taken an optimistic approach, with hundreds of actions that people can take to accomplish at least one of 3 objectives: 1) to help the landscape survive climate change, 2) to help wildlife survive climate change, and 3) to help mitigate climate change. Since moving to Florida in 2004, Ginny has written 4 peer-reviewed books on Florida gardening, all published by University Press of Florida. In addition, she has written hundreds of gardening and nature articles for various publications.
Social Time 6:30, program 7:00 p.m.
Southeast Asia has roughly 20,000 islands scattered throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and this talk provides an introduction to 2 of them, Bali and Borneo. Isolated, islands are hotbeds of speciation, and most birdwatching trips to the region focus on the endemics found throughout.
Join us as Chris Burney briefly gives a background of the islands with maps, and spend the bulk of the presentation covering the highlights with pics and illustrations from two months of travel.
Social Time 6:30, program 7:00 p.m.
Southeast Asia has roughly 20,000 islands scattered throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and this talk provides an introduction to 2 of them, Bali and Borneo. Isolated, islands are hotbeds of speciation, and most birdwatching trips to the region focus on the endemics found throughout.
Join us as Chris Burney briefly gives a background of the islands with maps, and spend the bulk of the presentation covering the highlights with pics and illustrations from two months of travel.
Social Time 6:30, program 7:00 p.m.
By starting with planting the wrong plants in the wrong place, Ann Wiley learned well what it takes to create a safe living space for songbirds. Learn beautiful and effective landscaping principals that contribute to the survival of our feathered friends.
Social Time 6:30, program 7:00 p.m.
Register for this kid oriented event through the Friends of Paynes Prairie website by following this link.
We welcome you the first Saturday of each month October through April, to join us for a hike on La Chua Trail and learn about birds. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. Meet us in the La Chua Trail parking lot; the north entrance to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, by 9:00 a.m.
Hikes are limited to 20 people. Reserve your spot by clicking the registration button on this page.
Hikes are free, but regular park admission fees apply. Park admission at La Chua Trail is $4.00 per vehicle, cash only, or free with a Florida State Parks Annual Pass.
Binoculars are available for loan during the hike, but supplies are limited and preference given first to those with reservations.
No pets permitted.
This program is supported by Paynes Prairie and Alachua Audubon volunteers.
Please register for this family oriented event through the Friends of Paynes Prairie website by following this link.
We welcome you the first Saturday of each month October through April, to join us for a hike on La Chua Trail and learn about birds. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. This birding hike is an out-and-back trip of approximately 1 mile in total length, in an open marsh habitat with a large diversity of plants and wildlife. Meet us in the La Chua Trail parking lot; the north entrance to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, by 9:00 a.m.
Hikes are limited to 20 people. Reserve your spot by clicking the registration button on this page. Registration for each hike will open approximately 30 days prior to the hike date.
Hikes are free, but regular park admission fees apply. Park admission at La Chua Trail is $4.00 per vehicle, cash only, or free with a Florida State Parks Annual Pass.
Binoculars are available for loan during the hike, but supplies are limited and preference given first to those with reservations.
No pets permitted.
This program is supported by Paynes Prairie and Alachua Audubon volunteers.
Please register for this event through the Friends of Paynes Prairie website by following this link.
We welcome you the first Saturday of each month October through April, to join us for a hike on La Chua Trail and learn about birds. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. This birding hike is an out-and-back trip of approximately 1 mile in total length, in an open marsh habitat with a large diversity of plants and wildlife. Meet us in the La Chua Trail parking lot; the north entrance to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, by 9:00 a.m.
Hikes are limited to 20 people. Reserve your spot by clicking the registration button on this page. Registration for each hike will open approximately 30 days prior to the hike date.
Hikes are free, but regular park admission fees apply. Park admission at La Chua Trail is $4.00 per vehicle, cash only, or free with a Florida State Parks Annual Pass.
Binoculars are available for loan during the hike, but supplies are limited and preference given first to those with reservations.
No pets permitted.
This program is supported by Paynes Prairie and Alachua Audubon volunteers.
Adam and Gina Kent share photos and stories from their three-week trip through southern Africa. This presentation will highlight birds and other wildlife from five countries, three World Heritage sites, and countless beautiful landscapes.
Please note that due to Millhopper Library having changed their evening hours, our programs will now start at 6:30pm, and socializing will begin at 6:00pm.
Alaska is a destination of unparalleled scenery and exciting birds and wildlife. Anne Casella will give a presentation based on her 12-day birding trip to Nome, Denali and Seward in June 2018.
Please note that due to Millhopper Library having changed their evening hours, our programs will now start at 6:30pm, and socializing will begin at 6:00pm.
Register for this kid oriented event through the Friends of Paynes Prairie website by following this link.
We welcome you the first Saturday of each month October through April, to join us for a hike on La Chua Trail and learn about birds. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. This birding hike is an out-and-back trip of approximately 1 mile in total length, in an open marsh habitat with a large diversity of plants and wildlife. Meet us in the La Chua Trail parking lot; the north entrance to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, by 9:00 a.m.
Hikes are limited to 20 people. Reserve your spot by clicking the registration button on this page. Registration for each hike will open approximately 30 days prior to the hike date.
Hikes are free, but regular park admission fees apply. Park admission at La Chua Trail is $4.00 per vehicle, cash only, or free with a Florida State Parks Annual Pass.
Binoculars are available for loan during the hike, but supplies are limited and preference given first to those with reservations.
No pets permitted.
This program is supported by Paynes Prairie and Alachua Audubon volunteers.
Register for this kid oriented event through the Friends of Paynes Prairie website by following this link.
We welcome you the first Saturday of each month October through April, to join us for a hike on La Chua Trail and learn about birds. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. Meet us in the La Chua Trail parking lot; the north entrance to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, by 9:00 a.m.
Hikes are limited to 20 people. Reserve your spot by clicking the registration button on this page.
Hikes are free, but regular park admission fees apply. Park admission at La Chua Trail is $4.00 per vehicle, cash only, or free with a Florida State Parks Annual Pass.
Binoculars are available for loan during the hike, but supplies are limited and preference given first to those with reservations.
No pets permitted.
This program is supported by Paynes Prairie and Alachua Audubon volunteers.