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FIELD TRIPS

Our 2024 field trip list is posted

through mid year!

see below for confirmed listings ...

Whether you're new to birding or a Big-List birder, our field trips offer you the best birding  and nature locations in Southwest Florida. Better yet, you will get to meet others in our community who love birding and nature, and who are engaged in environmental issues in Lee County and beyond.

Be sure to wear appropriate clothing for the weather, and be ready to take bug spray and sun screen, especially for our trips in early fall and late spring. You may also wish to bring water, a camera, field glasses, or even a folding chair, depending on the outing.

Members and non-members / beginner to advanced birders – all are welcome!  All chapter-sponsored field trips are free; but, donations are always appreciated.  Parking or rental fees sometimes apply.

Listed below are our field trips through mid 2024.  RSVP's are requested.

Field Trips

  • Hawk Watch at the Sanibel Lighthouse
    Hawk Watch at the Sanibel Lighthouse
    Sun, Oct 15
    Hawk Watch at the Sanibel Lighthouse
    Oct 15, 8:00 AM
    Hawk Watch at the Sanibel Lighthouse, 110 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
    This small site at the eastern tip of Sanibel Island is a known hotspot during migration which peaks mid-October. Join us with Vince McGrath at sunrise in the shadow of the lighthouse (handicap accessible).
  • Bunche Beach Shorebirds
    Bunche Beach Shorebirds
    Sat, Nov 04
    Bunche Beach
    Nov 04, 8:00 AM
    Bunche Beach, 18201 John Morris Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, USA
    This protected beach offers some of the best shorebirding in Lee Co. Walk a mile in either direction scanning the mangroves as well as the sand. Plovers abound – Wilson’s, Piping, Black-bellied and Semipalmated – and waders at low tide include Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets and White Ibises.
  • Billy's Creek Preserve & Filter Marsh
    Billy's Creek Preserve & Filter Marsh
    Sat, Dec 16
    Billy's Creek Preserve and Filter Marsh
    Dec 16, 8:00 AM
    Billy's Creek Preserve and Filter Marsh, 4320 Woodside Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USA
  • Kayak with the Manatees - Saturday Edition
    Kayak with the Manatees - Saturday Edition
    Sat, Jan 20
    Manatee Park
    Jan 20, 2024, 9:00 AM
    Manatee Park, 10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USA
    One of our favorite annual outings, we launch onto the Orange River from Manatee Park and are almost immediately surrounded by manatees. Bring your own kayak, or rent from the on-site outfitter.
  • Cape Coral Rotary Park
    Cape Coral Rotary Park
    Sat, Feb 10
    Rotary Park Environmental Center
    Feb 10, 2024, 9:00 AM
    Rotary Park Environmental Center, 5505 Rose Garden Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33914, USA
    At the southern edge of Cape Coral, an urban gem for viewing our real snow birds, native habitat, and butterflies.
  • Bicycle Ding Darling NWR
    Bicycle Ding Darling NWR
    Sun, Mar 03
    Ding Darling NWR
    Mar 03, 2024, 8:30 AM
    Ding Darling NWR, 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
    This is an internationally renowned birding destination, and for good reason – it is one of the finest wildlife refuges in the country. Our bicycle tour will take you around the refuge with incredible views of herons, egrets, ibises, storks, spoonbills, and shorebirds.
  • Great North American Eclipse
    Great North American Eclipse
    Mon, Apr 08
    North America
    Apr 08, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    North America
    On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.
  • Bunche Beach Shorebirds
    Bunche Beach Shorebirds
    Sat, Apr 13
    Bunche Beach
    Apr 13, 2024, 8:00 AM
    Bunche Beach, 18201 John Morris Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, USA
    This protected beach offers some of the best shorebirding in Lee Co. Walk a mile in either direction scanning the mangroves as well as the sand. Plovers abound – Wilson’s, Piping, Black-bellied and Semipalmated – and waders at low tide include Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets and White Ibises.
  • Pop Ash Creek Preserve
    Pop Ash Creek Preserve
    Sat, Apr 27
    Pop Ash Creek Preserve
    Apr 27, 2024, 8:00 AM
    Pop Ash Creek Preserve, 9451 Nalle Grade Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33917, USA
    Including a portion of Pop Ash Creek, this preserve is an ideal location to observe river otters, turtles, wading birds and alligators.
  • Telegraph Creek Preserve (eastern)
    Telegraph Creek Preserve (eastern)
    Sat, May 18
    Alva
    May 18, 2024, 8:00 AM
    Alva, 16451 N River Rd, Alva, FL 33920, USA
    This large preserve, located in Alva in northeastern Lee County, provides critical habitat for numerous listed animal species, including Florida Panther, crested caracara, gopher tortoise and eastern indigo snake.
  • Kayak Telegraph Creek
    Kayak Telegraph Creek
    Sat, May 25
    Telegraph Creek Kayak Launch
    May 25, 2024, 8:00 AM
    Telegraph Creek Kayak Launch, 15700 N River Rd, Alva, FL 33920, USA
    Join us for a leisurely, uncrowded, scenic, and quiet paddle on the Great Calusa Blueway's Telegraph Creek.
  • CREW's Bird Rookery Swamp
    CREW's Bird Rookery Swamp
    Tue, Jun 11
    CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail
    Jun 11, 2024, 8:00 AM
    CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail, 1295 Shady Hollow Blvd W, Naples, FL 34120, USA
    Birders will delight in the abundance of songbirds that frequent the cypress trees along the boardwalk, as well as the many raptors and wading birds found along the trails. CREW's Education Coordinator, Julie Motkowicz (expertise with plants) will help lead us.
  • Time is TBD
    Lehigh Acres
    Time is TBD
    Lehigh Acres, 1699 Joel Blvd, Lehigh Acres, FL 33972, USA
    check back later - date (likely December, 2024) and details to be determined
  • Time is TBD
    Cape Coral
    Time is TBD
    Cape Coral, 2500 SE 24th St, Cape Coral, FL 33990, USA
    check back later - date (likely November, 2024) and details to be determined
  • Time is TBD
    Sanibel
    Time is TBD
    Sanibel, 112 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
    check back later - date (likely October, 2024) and details to be determined
  • Time is TBD
    Fort Myers Beach
    Time is TBD
    Fort Myers Beach, 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA
    check back later - date (likely September, 2024) and details to be determined
  • Time is TBD
    Palmdale
    Time is TBD
    Palmdale, 7555 US Hwy 27, Palmdale, FL 33944, USA
    check back later - date (likely July, 2024) and details to be determined
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