



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
- Sun, Oct 15Hawk Watch at the Sanibel LighthouseOct 15, 8:00 AMHawk Watch at the Sanibel Lighthouse, 110 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, USAThis 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).
- Sat, Nov 04Bunche BeachNov 04, 8:00 AMBunche Beach, 18201 John Morris Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, USAThis 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.
- Sat, Dec 16Billy's Creek Preserve and Filter MarshDec 16, 8:00 AMBilly's Creek Preserve and Filter Marsh, 4320 Woodside Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USA
- Sat, Jan 20Manatee ParkJan 20, 2024, 9:00 AMManatee Park, 10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33905, USAOne 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.
- Sat, Feb 10Rotary Park Environmental CenterFeb 10, 2024, 9:00 AMRotary Park Environmental Center, 5505 Rose Garden Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33914, USAAt the southern edge of Cape Coral, an urban gem for viewing our real snow birds, native habitat, and butterflies.
- Sun, Mar 03Ding Darling NWRMar 03, 2024, 8:30 AMDing Darling NWR, 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957, USAThis 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.
- Mon, Apr 08North AmericaApr 08, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PMNorth AmericaOn 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.
- Sat, Apr 13Bunche BeachApr 13, 2024, 8:00 AMBunche Beach, 18201 John Morris Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, USAThis 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.
- Sat, Apr 27Pop Ash Creek PreserveApr 27, 2024, 8:00 AMPop Ash Creek Preserve, 9451 Nalle Grade Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33917, USAIncluding a portion of Pop Ash Creek, this preserve is an ideal location to observe river otters, turtles, wading birds and alligators.
- Sat, May 18AlvaMay 18, 2024, 8:00 AMAlva, 16451 N River Rd, Alva, FL 33920, USAThis 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.
- Sat, May 25Telegraph Creek Kayak LaunchMay 25, 2024, 8:00 AMTelegraph Creek Kayak Launch, 15700 N River Rd, Alva, FL 33920, USAJoin us for a leisurely, uncrowded, scenic, and quiet paddle on the Great Calusa Blueway's Telegraph Creek.
- Tue, Jun 11CREW Bird Rookery Swamp TrailJun 11, 2024, 8:00 AMCREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail, 1295 Shady Hollow Blvd W, Naples, FL 34120, USABirders 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 TBDLehigh AcresTime is TBDLehigh Acres, 1699 Joel Blvd, Lehigh Acres, FL 33972, USAcheck back later - date (likely December, 2024) and details to be determined
- Time is TBDCape CoralTime is TBDCape Coral, 2500 SE 24th St, Cape Coral, FL 33990, USAcheck back later - date (likely November, 2024) and details to be determined
- Time is TBDSanibelTime is TBDSanibel, 112 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, USAcheck back later - date (likely October, 2024) and details to be determined
- Time is TBDFort Myers BeachTime is TBDFort Myers Beach, 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USAcheck back later - date (likely September, 2024) and details to be determined
- Time is TBDPalmdaleTime is TBDPalmdale, 7555 US Hwy 27, Palmdale, FL 33944, USAcheck back later - date (likely July, 2024) and details to be determined