activities

All day trips meet at McDonald's (Bee Ridge/ Cattlemen) unless otherwise noted. Field trips are open to anyone interested in birding, wildlife watching or exploring Florida's natural areas. Suggested donation of $2 for members, $4 for non-members appreciated.

NO RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.

For more information, contact each individual Trip Leader. Log on to www.sarasotaaudubon.org for directions to each day trip site (coming soon). TRIP WAIVER: Participation is on condition that Sarasota Audubon Society and its officers and volunteers will not be held liable for damage or injury to persons or property.

TUESDAY, OCT 14: ROBINSON PRESERVE - This new Bradenton preserve is being restored to a native wetland with hiking trails and boardwalks. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 7:30 a.m. BRING LUNCH Leaders: John Ginaven, 383-5133 and Stu Hills.

THURSDAY, OCT 16: PINECRAFT PARK - Look for fall migrants with Edith Miller (364-3637) at this local hot spot off Bahia Vista. Meet at Pinecraft at 9 a.m. BRING LUNCH

TUESDAY, NOV 11: CELERY FIELDS CLEAN UP - See CELERY FIELDS.

WEDNESDAY, NOV 12: SHOREBIRDS - Find resident and migrant shorebirds on Siesta Key. Meet at SK Public Beach parking lot at 8 a.m. Leader: Rick Greenspun, 284-2055.

SATURDAY, NOV 15: PLANT WALK IN RED BUG SLOUGH - Join Catherine LaBrie, President of the Sarasota Butterfly Club and plant expert, on this plant and butterfly walk. Meet in parking lot, south of Proctor on Beneva, 10 a.m. Contact Kathryn Young, 924-5565.

THURSDAY, NOV 20: BIRKING - What do you get when you combine birding and biking? Answer BIRKING. Join Kathryn Young, 924-5565 for a morning of Birking. This will be an easy bike ride of approx. 10-15 miles round trip. Meet at the Legacy Trail on Central Sarasota Pkwy at 8:30 a.m. with your bikes. BRING LUNCH.

SATURDAY, NOV 22: FELTS AUDUBON PRESERVE - This 30-acre parcel of land in Manatee County has been restored to its natural state by Manatee Audubon. Join Jeanne Dubi, 355-1709. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot ) at 8 a.m.

SATURDAY, NOV 29: LAUREL LANDFILL - Check out this birdy landfill site off Laurel Rd. Leaders Rick Greenspun /Lynn Jakubowicz, 355-4073. Meet at McDonald's (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 8 a.m.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY, DEC 5/6: DING DARLING ON SANIBEL ISLAND -  See Overnight trips on your Activity Schedule for details.

TUESDAY, DEC 9: HOLIDAY LUNCH - See LET'S DO LUNCH on your Activity Schedule.

THURSDAY, DEC 10: MYAKKA RIVER SP - This wildlife preserve always provides great birding. Meet at 8:15 a.m. in first parking lot on right just after park entrance (fee). Note: Park opens at 8 a.m. Leader: Owen Comora, 378-5166. BRING LUNCH.

TUESDAY, DEC 16: LEMON BAY PRESERVE - Join Leaders Mark Leggett, 925-7220, and Stu Hills on this walk at Lemon Bay Preserve in south Venice. Meet at McDonalds (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 8 a.m.

THURSDAY, JAN 1: NEW YEAR'S DAY AT SLEEPING TURTLES - Join leaders Mark Leggett, 925-7220, and Kathryn Young on a New Year's Day search for birds at this new county park. Meet at McDonald's (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 9 a.m. BRING LUNCH & A TREAT TO SHARE.

WEDNESDAY, JAN 7: NORTH LONG BOAT KEY - Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot opposite the former Chevron station at the very north end of LBK. Leaders: Wade and Betty Matthews, 923-0671. Optional lunch at Moore's restaurant.

TUESDAY, JAN 13: CELERY FIELDS CLEAN UP See CELERY FIELDS.

SATURDAY, JAN 17: LETTUCE LAKE - Bird the 3,500-foot boardwalk, observation tower and the nature trails at this Hillsborough County park with Lynn Jakubowicz, 355-4073, and Karen Jensen. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 7:30 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

WEDNESDAY, JAN 21: TECO PLANT & GEORGE SIMMONS PARK - Join Leader Stu Hills, 922-5261, to see manatees at the Teco plant in Apollo Beach and shorebirds at Simmons Park in southern Hillsborough County. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

WEDNESDAY, JAN 28: PHOSPHATE MINES, POLK COUNTY - Privately-guided tour of the phosphate reclamation ponds near Lakeland. Short-tailed Hawks, wintering warblers and thousands of shorebirds. Contact Rick Greenspun, 284-2055. Lunch included. Bring Snacks and drinks for an all-day outing. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 7 a.m. A donation of $5 to Lake Audubon on the day is recommended.

TUESDAY, FEB 10: CELERY FIELDS CLEAN UP See CELERY FIELDS.

WEDNESDAY, FEB 10: CLAY GULLY & SIDELL ROADS - Round Trip behind Myakka SP. This area is good wintering habitat for specialties such as Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Leaders: Owen Comora, 378-5166, and Rick Greenspun, 284-2055. Meet at McDonald's (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY, FEB 13/14: STATION 5 HENDRY COUNTY - Overnight Friday in Clewiston, then an early visit to the water treatment plant to view all kinds of birds in these remote marshes. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.  Hotel at own expense. A donation of $5 to Hendry-Glades Audubon is recommended. Contact Kathryn Young, 924-5565.

THURSDAY, FEB 19: COCKROACH BAY AQUATIC PRESERVE, RUSKIN - Join Kathryn Young, 924-5565, and Karen Jensen on a trip to this newly reclaimed and restored environmentally sensitive area, a reliable spot for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 7:30 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

MONDAY, FEB 23: VENICE ROOKERY, MANASOTA SCRUB AND LEMON BAY PARK - Great photo ops: Great birding. Leader: Mark Leggett, 925-7220. Meet at McDonald's (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 7:30 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY, FEB 25/26: FREE TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOPS See SPECIAL FREE CLASSES on your Activity Schedule.

SATURDAY, FEB 28: PINECRAFT FESTIVAL See FESTIVALS.

SATURDAY, MAR 7: HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK & J.P. SARGENT PARK - Join Lynn Jakubowicz, 355-4073, and Wade Matthews for a visit to this beautiful state park divided by the swiftly flowing Hillsborough River. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 7:30 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

THURSDAY, MAR 19: CAREFREE LEARNER - Join us for a boat ride with SAS members to the Roberts Bay Rookery to see breeding birds. This is separate from the Carefree Learner with Sarasota High School students. Meet at the boat at 9 a.m. next to Le Barge at Marina Jack's. Lunch after at Marina Jack's at 11:30 a.m at your own expense. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Contact Kathryn Young, 924-5565. Cost $20.

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, APR 1-3: AMELIA ISLAND/FERNANDINA BEACH - See Overnight trips for details.

TUESDAY, MAR 31: CARLTON RESERVE - Join us to look for Hairy and Red-headed Woodpeckers, Swallow-tailed Kites and more. Meet at Carlton parking lot at 8 a.m. Take I-75 to Jacaranda Blvd exit; go east onto Jacaranda, right onto Border Rd., left at the end. BRING LUNCH Contact Kathryn Young, 924-5565.

THURSDAY, APR 9: PLANT WALK AT OSCAR SCHERER SP - Join Catherine LaBrie, President of the Sarasota Butterfly Club, on a plant walk to learn about Florida plants and butterflies. Meet at the park at 10 a.m. (fee to enter). Contact Kathryn Young, 924-5565.

TUESDAY, APR 14: FT. DESOTO PARK - Join leader John Ginaven, 383-5133, on a quest for migrants at this premier birding hotspot. Leave the first rest area just after the tollbooths on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (I-275) at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

THURSDAY, APR 16: CAREFREE LEARNER - Join us for a boat ride with SAS members to the Roberts Bay Rookery to see breeding birds. This is separate from the Carefree Learner with Sarasota High School students. Meet at the boat at 9 a.m. next to Le Barge at Marina Jack's. Lunch after at Marina Jack's at 11:30 a.m., at your own expense. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Contact Kathryn Young 924-5565. Cost $20.

TUESDAY, APR 21: EMERSON POINT - This wonderful park has woodlands, shoreline, and mangroves. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 7:30 a.m. Optional lunch at Crab Trap II restaurant. Leaders: John Ginaven, 383-5133, and Stuart Hills.

SATURDAY, APR 25: FT DESOTO PARK - Leader Edith Miller, 364-3637, will help us find migrants at this wonderful birding spot. Leave the first rest area just after the tollbooths on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (I-275) at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

TUESDAY, APR 28: EGMONT KEY - Take the Ferry from Fort De Soto to this small island and help us find migrating birds. The island is also home to many Gopher Tortoises as well as Fort Dade. Leader Kathryn Young, 924-5565. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. BRING LUNCH. Meet at Starbucks (University & I-75 next to Home Depot) at 7:30 a.m. Ferry leaves at 9 a.m. and returns at 1 p.m. Cost $20.

SATURDAY, MAY 2: BUTTERFLY WALK - Join butterfly enthusiasts Stu Hills and Jeanne Dubi on a walk to locate and ID local butterflies. Location to be determined. Meet at McDonald's (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 10 a.m. Contact Stu Hills, 922-5261.

TUESDAY, MAY 12: CELERY FIELDS CLEAN UP See CELERY FIELDS.