FIELD TRIPS

These start at the gathering place listed. Always bring a picnic lunch unless a restaurant is mentioned. Additional information is provided in The Limpkin Call newsletter and you can contact the specific trip leader with any questions as the phone number is provided. Please note that participation in field trips requires the signing of a waiver form prior to departure.

October 19, Wednesday, 2011
Bourlay Historic Nature Park. Located in Leesburg at the end of North Canal Street, the woodland and shore of Lake Griffin have an interesting fauna and flora. The preserve is administered by the Lake County Water Authority. Meet at 8:30 AM in the park. Leader: Peg Urban, 326 3868.

November 16, Wednesday, 2011
Van Fleet Trail, Green Pond Road Crossing. This trek provides a peek into the Green Swamp. Besides seeing birds in several habitats, an abundant gopher tortoise population on the old railroad bed is active. Bring a picnic lunch. Meet at 8 AM at the west parking lots of Winn Dixie at the junction of CR 48 and US 27 south of Leesburg. Leaders: Bob and Mary Wexler. 669 5136.

December 16 Friday 2011
Christmas Bird Count. This is a major Audubon event and requires all available man-power to help count birds. No prior birding experience is necessary as we do need record-keepers with each team. Please sign up early so the CBC coordinator can make team assignments. Contact is Peg Lindsay, 326 2045, pegcondor@embarqmail.com and co-leader Barbara Gay 751 6069 stkite@triton.net. Refreshments at the Blue House, Sunnyhill Farm at the conclusion of the count. Required contribution $5. goes to the National Audubon Society to cover costs of administration of the CBC. Meet at Emeralda Marsh, Wood Duck Parking, 7:00AM

January 14, Saturday, 2012
Circle B Bar Reserve. Located near SE Lakeland, this prime nature preserve is worth the extra distance. Extensive marshes are full of birds. Nearby are woodlands and Lake Hancock. The reserve has good trails and an outstanding nature and education center. Bring a picnic lunch. Meet at 8 AM at the west parking lots of Winn Dixie at the junction of CR 48 and US 27 south of Leesburg. Leader: Clyde Stephens, 343 6468.

February 15, Wednesday, 2012
Lower Wekiva River Preserve. The trail begins at Katie’s Landing on the river and makes a transition into higher woodlands, thus providing the opportunity to see birds in wet and dry habitats. Bring a picnic lunch. Meet at 8 AM in the north parking lots of Winn Dixie north of Eustis at CR 44 and SR 19. Leader: Dennis O’Neil. 383 6309.

March 14, Wednesday, 2012
Paisley Woods Trail, north trailhead near Alexander Springs. Cockaded woodpeckers and other such birds inhabit this part of the Ocala National Forest. Meet at 8 AM in the north parking lots of Winn Dixie north of Eustis at CR 44 and SR 19. Leader: Gallus Quigley. 1 407 242 7833.

March 23-24, Friday-Saturday 2012
Overnight Trip. Attractions in the Tampa Bay area with further details to follow. Leader: Peg Lindsay 326 2045,

April 11, Wednesday, 2012
Dora Canal and Dead River Fundraiser Cruise. This trip features nesting birds along the waterways. The tour will depart at 8 and 10 AM and 2 P.M. from the Stephens house on Lake Harris in Tavares. The pontoon boat can take 8 adults who will give a $15 donation per person. All proceeds will go to the OVAS treasury. Leaders: Captain Clyde Stephens, 343 6468. Joyce Wutke, 589 2837, will handle reservations and donations in advance.

May 5, Saturday, 2012 Trimble Park. This lovely park on a peninsula between Lake Beauclair and Lake Carlton has shoreline birds and species in the woodlands. Bring a picnic lunch. Meet at 8:30 AM at the dead end of the park at: 5802 Trimble Park RD, Mt. Dora 32757. Leaders: Bob and Lee Ann Streeper. 751 6943.

MEETINGS

OVAS and TLNC will be combining meetings again this year. All meetings are free and open to the public and are held on Sundays, October through May at 3:00PM at Trout Lake Nature Center, one half mile east of SR 19 on CR44 in Eustis.
 
Refreshments are served beginning at 1:30PM. Meetings feature a speaker on a subject relevant to Audubon goals and last approximately 45-60 minutes, followed by a brief business meeting of past and current events of the Audubon chapter.

October 23 Sunday Regular Meeting, 3:00PM
The title of the program is The Significance of Lake Rousseau for Nesting Wading Birds. And where is Lake Rousseau? Find out from Sandra Merrafino, a member of Marion County and Citrus County Audubon and instrumental in having Rainbow Springs State Park accepted in the Great Florida Birding Trail, and in conducting a bird inventory and birding classes for the park.

November 20, Sunday Regular Meeting, 3:00PM
Lake County’s Best Birding and Wild Flower Places, is the title of the program and who better to speak on this subject, than Gallus Quigley. Gallus has been birding since boyhood, has worked for nature centers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey Audubon and is chair of the Birdathon for Orange Audubon. In addition, he works full-time as Park Ranger for Lake County.

December 10, Saturday, Christmas Lunch 11:30AM
This is our Christmas Buffet and will be held jointly not only with TLNC, but with The Beautyberry Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society so this is an occasion to get together for a social event with colleagues who belong to similar organizations, Music and cards by Peg and Peg and no formal speakers. Please bring enough food to share with others who attend. OVAS-TLNC will provide table settings, decorations and drinks. Leader- Jerry Bohmann 735 5922.

January 22, Sunday, Regular Meeting 3:00PM
Critters, Cows and Cowboys: Ranching and Wildlife is the title of this presentation and the speaker is Bob Montanaro, who last year gave us and good idea of the Life of the Osprey. Bob is the administrative assistant for the Pelican Island Audubon Society in Vero Beach. His theme this occasion is how ranching in Florida can work together with conservation and there are plenty of birds in his powerpoint presentation.

February 12, Sunday, Regular Meeting 3:00PM
The Galapagos, a Biologist’s View, and our own OVAS director, Jim Dinsmore will share of his trip experiences of the islands made famous by Charles Darwin. Jim grew up in Minnesota and received degrees from Iowa State University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Florida. He taught for four years at the University of Tampa and 27 years at Iowa State. He taught ornithology to more than 1000 students, authored/coauthored 5 books on birds and other wildlife, and was active with several groups including Audubon of Iowa. In retirement he has traveled to some places on his bucket list, including the Galapagos Islands which he visited in 2008.

March 25, Sunday, Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner, 5:00PM
This is the OVAS Annual Meeting with election of officers and directors and the Potluck Dinner.. Our speaker is well-known in every conservation group in the county and is the winner of the 2010 Conservationist of the Decade Award, Nadine Foley, and she will share her views on Conservation Past and Future in Lake County.

April 22, Sunday, Regular Meeting, 3:00PM
Diane Brannon, who you will remember from a previous event, is our own Lake County wildlife photographer, with concentration on water birds. This session she will stimulate you to consider a summer excursion as she shares with us The Birds of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, a famous spot in New Mexico for its wide range of birds but especially Sandhill Cranes in November.