Above: Brown Pelican by Adam Betuel
Central Florida Birdwatching Weekend
January 17 to 20, 2025
Above: Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Roseate Spoonbill. Photos by Adam Betuel.
Trip Leader: Adam Betuel, Director of Conservation
Virtual Pre-trip Orientation and Workshop: Thursday, January 9, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM via Zoom
Group Size: Limited to 16 participants
Registration Fees
Join Birds Georgia's Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, for an exciting weekend of birding across central Florida. During the three days of birdwatching, the group will visit the coastal marshes and beaches of Merritt Island, the pine forests and lakes south of Kissimmee, and the hotspots surrounding Lake Apopka. Merritt Island is the second largest refuge in Florida and has the distinction of being the home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the wildlife refuge, and the Canaveral National Seashore. Offering varied birding opportunities, the refuge has recorded more than 310 species of birds. The field trips around the refuge will concentrate on wintering waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and the Florida Scrub Jay, which is endemic to the Sunshine State.
South of Kissimmee, we will visit the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, the well-known Joe Overstreet Rd and it’s landing, in addition to other nearby hotspots depending on recent sightings. This area makes up a portion of Florida’s largest remaining dry prairie, significant pine stands, cattle farms, and a multitude of lakes. Some of the key birds we will target in this area include Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, Snail Kite, Sandhill Crane, and Crested Caracara to name just a few.
Our final morning will have the group visiting Lake Apopka, northwest of Orlando. This should be convenient for people returning to Georgia via car. Lake Apopka is the 4th largest lake in the state and has undergone a drastic restoration over the last 20+ years, from a superfund site to a bird haven. The lake and its neighboring parks, marshes, and forests are now home to over 370 species of birds. We expect to find Purple Gallinule, Fulvous-whistling Ducks, Sora, multiple other duck species, and a diversity of wading birds. Lake Apopka is famous for attracting rare birds and it is possible, maybe even likely, for us to spot a Vermillion Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, or Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
Virtual Pre-trip Orientation and Workshop: Thursday, January 9, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM via Zoom
Group Size: Limited to 16 participants
Registration Fees
- Master Birders in good membership and volunteer standing: $325/person
- Georgia Audubon Members: $350/person
- Non-members: $400/person (includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Join Birds Georgia's Director of Conservation, Adam Betuel, for an exciting weekend of birding across central Florida. During the three days of birdwatching, the group will visit the coastal marshes and beaches of Merritt Island, the pine forests and lakes south of Kissimmee, and the hotspots surrounding Lake Apopka. Merritt Island is the second largest refuge in Florida and has the distinction of being the home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the wildlife refuge, and the Canaveral National Seashore. Offering varied birding opportunities, the refuge has recorded more than 310 species of birds. The field trips around the refuge will concentrate on wintering waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and the Florida Scrub Jay, which is endemic to the Sunshine State.
South of Kissimmee, we will visit the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, the well-known Joe Overstreet Rd and it’s landing, in addition to other nearby hotspots depending on recent sightings. This area makes up a portion of Florida’s largest remaining dry prairie, significant pine stands, cattle farms, and a multitude of lakes. Some of the key birds we will target in this area include Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, Snail Kite, Sandhill Crane, and Crested Caracara to name just a few.
Our final morning will have the group visiting Lake Apopka, northwest of Orlando. This should be convenient for people returning to Georgia via car. Lake Apopka is the 4th largest lake in the state and has undergone a drastic restoration over the last 20+ years, from a superfund site to a bird haven. The lake and its neighboring parks, marshes, and forests are now home to over 370 species of birds. We expect to find Purple Gallinule, Fulvous-whistling Ducks, Sora, multiple other duck species, and a diversity of wading birds. Lake Apopka is famous for attracting rare birds and it is possible, maybe even likely, for us to spot a Vermillion Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, or Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
Please contact Adam Betual by email with any questions.
Additional details
Price Includes:
Price does not include:
Lodging Information:
A block of rooms is available to the group at the Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport at Gateway Village (5460 Gateway Village Circle Orlando, FL 32812) near the Orlando International Airport. The rate for the rooms is $163 + tax per night. You are not required to stay here but it will likely be beneficial to join the group here each morning. Each day will require an early start (leaving the hotel around 6:00-6:30) in an attempt to take advantage of peak birding opportunities. We will need to drive roughly 45 minutes each morning to reach our first destination. Ideally, the group will carpool in an effort to make travel and carpooling easier. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the airport in case you would prefer to fly to Orlando and carpool with other participants during the trip.
Meals:
Meals are on your own for this trip, but Adam will make suggestions should the group want to stick together.
Pace and Weather:
The birding will be easy to moderate, often on flat terrain or from a car. There may be times when you are required to stand for an extended period of time. Weather in central Florida during this time of year can be hard to predict. One should plan for anything from breezy mornings in the 40’s all the way up to the 80’s. Rain is possible.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by December 1, 2024, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between December 2 and December 17, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
- Three full days and one half-day of guided birding with Adam Betuel.
- Guide will bring a spotting scopes for group use. Please feel free to bring your own if you have one.
- Loaned binoculars are available for use during the trip with advance notice.
Price does not include:
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Meals, beverages, etc.
- Travel insurance, recommended
- Medical costs
- Souvenirs
- Other incidentals participants may wish to purchase
- Entrance fees. Locations with fees include:
- Blackpoint Wildlife Drive - $10 per vehicle. Free if someone in the car has an America the Beautiful pass (Senior, Access, Annual or Military) or a Federal Duck Stamp.
- Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area - $6 per vehicle (cash)
- Canaveral National Seashore - $20 per vehicle. Again, free if someone in the car has an America the Beautiful pass (Senior, Access, Annual or Military) or if they are a US military veteran. We are unlikely to visit this location but will if time permits.
Lodging Information:
A block of rooms is available to the group at the Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport at Gateway Village (5460 Gateway Village Circle Orlando, FL 32812) near the Orlando International Airport. The rate for the rooms is $163 + tax per night. You are not required to stay here but it will likely be beneficial to join the group here each morning. Each day will require an early start (leaving the hotel around 6:00-6:30) in an attempt to take advantage of peak birding opportunities. We will need to drive roughly 45 minutes each morning to reach our first destination. Ideally, the group will carpool in an effort to make travel and carpooling easier. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the airport in case you would prefer to fly to Orlando and carpool with other participants during the trip.
Meals:
Meals are on your own for this trip, but Adam will make suggestions should the group want to stick together.
Pace and Weather:
The birding will be easy to moderate, often on flat terrain or from a car. There may be times when you are required to stand for an extended period of time. Weather in central Florida during this time of year can be hard to predict. One should plan for anything from breezy mornings in the 40’s all the way up to the 80’s. Rain is possible.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you must make an unforeseen trip cancellation past our refund period. Check with your own insurance carrier or consider a travel insurance specialist.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by December 1, 2024, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). If notice of cancellation is received between December 2 and December 17, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
Above: Snail Kite, Painted Bunting, Florida Scrub-Jay. Photos by Adam Betuel.
