Marion Audubon Society - Field Trips - Classes

Field Trips - Classes - Special Programs

Marion County Audubon Society Field Trips:

Please join us on these outings sponsored by the Marion County Audubon Society. We welcome everyone interested in nature.
For more information call Carolyn Retey at 1-352-817-6715. Always bring binoculars, water and insect repellant.

Tuesday October 20, 2009 Sawgrass Island Preserve – Meet at the site at 9:30 a.m. Call Carolyn Retey (number above) for car pooling.

Tuesday November 24, 2009 Lake George National Forest, Bluffington Recreation Area (Great Florida Birding Trail East, Site 41). – Meet at the site at 9:30 a.m. Bring water, insect repellant, binoculars and a hat. Call Carolyn Retey (number above) if you are interested in car pooling.

Monday December 14, 2009 – Christmas Bird Count, Southeast Marion County. - Meet at the Blue House, Sunnyhill Restoration Area (Great Florida Birding Trail East, Site 37). Contact Norm Lantz at villagebirder@mtnisp.com for more information.

Monday January 4, 2010 Christmas Bird Count, Southwest Marion County – Contact Norm Lantz at villagebirder@mtnisp.com for more information.

Tuesday February 23, 2010 Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area (Great Florida Birding Trail East, Site 31) – Meet at the site at 9:00 a.m. If you are interested in car pooling, call Carolyn Retey (number above)

Thursday March 18, 2010 Silver River Water Birds – You must call Captain Vince at 1-352-690-7140 to reserve a space as this is a boat trip and space is limited. Meet at Ray Wayside Park, Route 40 East at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $15.00 per person.

Friday March 19, 2010 Silver River Water Birds – You must call Captain Vince at 1-352-690-7140 to reserve a space as this is a boat trip and space is limited. Meet at Ray Wayside Park, Route 40 East at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $15.00 per person.

Thursday April 8, 2010 Baby Blues – You must call Captain Vince at 1-352-690-7140 to reserve a space as this is a boat trip and space is limited. Meet at Moss Bluff Park (South side) at 9:30 a.m. and cruse to the heron rookery and back to the boat ramp. Cost is $10.00 per person. Since you are in the neighborhood you should enjoy lunch at the Dam Diner after the cruise.

Friday April 9, 2010 Baby Blues – You must call Captain Vince at 1-352-690-7140 to reserve a space as this is a boat trip and space is limited. Meet at Moss Bluff Park (South side) at 9:30 a.m. and cruse to the heron rookery and back to the boat ramp. Cost is $10.00 per person. Since you are in the neighborhood you should enjoy lunch at the Dam Diner after the cruise.

Marion County Parks and Recreation Beginning Bird Identification Classes

Are you curious about the little brown bird in your bird feeder? Can you identify the hawk on the power pole at the end of you r driveway? Are you wondering about the woodpecker living in your palm tree? Join us to learn basic birding identification skills so you can recognize the birds in and around the Ocala and Marion County area.
These Marion County Parks and Recreation sponsored classes meet from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Brick City Adventure Park, 1300 SE 22nd Road, Ocala. You must call 1-352-671-8560 to pre-register. The class is $10.00 per person, $!5.00 for couples.
The class meets on the following dates:

Saturday October 31, 2009

Saturday January 30, 2010

Saturday February 27, 2010

Saturday March 27, 2010

Marion County Parks and Recreation Nature Walks

Get outside and test your observation skills with a nature walk. Meet at the site at 9:30 a.m. Bring a hat, binoculars, water and insect repellent. For more information call 1-352-671-8560. The dates and locations of the nature walks are:

Nature Walks

Saturday November 14, 2009 @ Blue Run Trail

Saturday December 5, 2009 @ Carney Island

Saturday January 9, 2010 @ Sunnyhill (The Blue House)

Saturday February 6, 2010 Horseshoe Lake

Saturday March 6, 2010@ Moss Bluff (North Side)

Coffee With the Birds
A Silver River State Park sponsored bird walk the third Saturday of each month. Meet at the Pavilion next to the Library at Silver River State Park at 8 a.m. The first walk will be October 17. Bring water, binoculars and insect repellant.

Nature Walk at Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park
Walk with a ranger every month starting in November. Call 1-352-466-4100 to register. The event is limited to 25 participants and you must register to walk.

Rainbow Springs Guided Bird Walks
Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8 a.m. the second Saturday of each month. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide. For more information call 1-352-465-8555.

Christmas Bird Count
The first Christmas Bird Count will be in Southeast Marion County on December 14, 2009. On January 4, 2010 the second bird count will be in Southwest Marion County. For more information or to volunteer contact Norm Lantz at villagebirder@mtnisp.com

Special Events

Saturday October 24, 2009 Owl-Ween at Carney Island County Park
13275 SE 115 Avenue, Ocklawaha. Call 1-352-671-8560 for more information.