Please join us! Non-members are always welcome.
All AAS field trips are free to all – membership is not required. Attendees are responsible for paying the entrance fee at some field trip locations like Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Field trip participants are required to sign our waiver/release form. Please note the difficulty levels at the end of each field trip description. Here are some items to consider carrying on any field trip: binoculars (a must), water, insect repellant, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes, rain gear for sudden downpours, notebook, camera, and contact information.
Below is our current field trip schedule. View the schedule and descriptions/details on each field trip in our Google calendar (below) and on our Facebook page.
Upcoming Field Trips (Fall 2023)
Our guided Wednesday bird walks at Sweetwater Wetlands Park are held each Wednesday morning, beginning at 8:30 a.m. from September 1st through the end of May.
Alachua Audubon Events Calendar
Saturday 9/9/23 at 8:00 am – Buck Bay Flatwoods Reserve with Matt Bruce
Meet trip leaders Kaysea and Matt Bruce at 8:00 am at the parking lot at 6502 N CR 225. Trailhead coordinates: (29.713503, -82.277625). You can find info about it here. In this field trip to this newly opened reserve, we expect to see one of the first wave of migrant warblers at accessible (i.e. not neck-breaking) heights. Buck Bay is composed of about 3 miles of trails with young mixed-forest habitat being managed for recovery. The reserve offers a green refuge that migratory birds use extensively. This particular season, the trail is wet and with some tall grass in some sections, so rubber boots are suggested. Not many shady spots are expected, so wear lots of sunscreen and bring water.
Location: 6502 N CR 225, Gainesville. Trailhead coordinates: (29.713503, -82.277625).
Sunday, 9/10/23 at 8:00 am – Loblolly Woods North with Matt Hitchings
Meet trip leader Matt Hitchings at 8:00 am at the parking lot at 1039-1077 NW 31st Drive, Gainesville. Trailhead coordinates: (29.65987, -82.36934). In this field trip to this under-birded gem close to central Gainesville, we will be on the lookout for departing summer residents and migrating warblers and thrushes. Loblolly Woods is one of ten parks that makes up the Hogtown Creek Greenway, and birding next to Possum Creek will allow us some good views of birds. The trail is muddy in parts but accessible, especially once we reach the boardwalk. Depending on timing, we may cross 8th Avenue to explore Loblolly Woods South after we complete a loop along the creek and down the boardwalk. Mosquitoes are prevalent, but most of the trail is in the shade, so bring bug spray but sunscreen is not a must.
Location: 1039-1077 NW 31st Drive, Gainesville. Trailhead coordinates: (29.65987, -82.36934).
Saturday, 9/16/23, 8:00 am – San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP – Moonshine Creek/Creek Sink Trails with Jose Miguel Ponciano
A shady but mosquito-ridden haven for migratory birds and birds that breed in these hammock forest remnants, like the hooded warblers. Here we expect to see Acadian flycatchers, water thrushes, ovenbirds, migratory thrushes (veerys), hopefully scarlet tanagers and mixed-species flocks composed of resident and migratory birds. We hope to be able to do the full yellow and red loop (both, the Moonshine Creek and the Creek Sink trails). The expected distance is about 3 miles and the time it takes to bird this place is 3 to 4 hours. Water and insect repellent are highly advised! 11101 Millhopper Road, Gainesville Fees: $4 vehicle, $2 per pedestrian or cyclist. Restroom: At the trailhead.
Location: Trailhead: 29.714546, -82.460864. Address: 11101 Millhopper Road, Gainesville
Bird Rambles
Tuesday, September 26th, 2023; 8:30 am
Tuscawilla Preserve Bird Ramble (an easier, more leisurely outing than our more energetic weekend fare).
Meet up at Tuscawilla Preserve south of Micanopy for a 1.5 mile trail and enjoy an expansive view from the new observation platform (courtesy of Alachua County Trust and Alachua Audubon). Parking is available across the street from the preserve at the Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve. Read about the preserve and watch a 3-minute video at https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/tuscawilla-preserve-guide.
-Coming from Gainesville on US-441: Turn right (west) on SE 165th Ave/SE Tuscawilla Rd; then drive 0.3 miles. Parking will be on the right.