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Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 12 - 16, 2003 in Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. |
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Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 12 - 16, 2003 in Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. |
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2003 WORKSHOPS
1) Advanced Shorebirds - Brian Harrington
2) Beginning Birding - Nancy Corona
3) Optics - Mike McDowell
4) Raptors I - Jeff Bouton
5) Shorebirds for Beginners - Lee Snyder
6) Introduction to Interpretive Birding - Jim Davis7) Kayaking for the Naturalist - Brad Miller
8) Practical Knot Tying - Charlton Durant
9) Raptors II - Jeff Bouton
10) Interpretive Birding in the Field - Jim Davis
11) Gull and Tern ID - Jeff Bouton
12) Pelagic Seabird ID - Larry Manfredi
13) Beginning Birding for Children - Betty Salter
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ADVANCED SHOREBIRD WORKSHOP
Presenter: Brian A. Harrington
Brian, a biologist with the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, has been working with and teaching about shorebirds for 3 decades. Our advanced identification session will spend a brief time inside, and then turn to the field to put advanced skills to the test. Inside we’ll use slides and talk to discuss how molt schedules in shorebirds (changes between breeding and winter plumages) effect identification potential. We also will discuss identifying juvenile from adult shorebirds. In our field practicum we will especially focus on separating those small ‘peep’ sandpipers from one another, and on using behavioral and audio cues in identification of all species. Our field trip will focus on Merritt Island NWR, where good conditions can provide some of the finest shorebirding in Florida.
http://www.manomet.org/
Nov 13, 7:00am-8:30am: BCC Gymnatorium Stage; $3.00
Nov 16, 7:00am-8:30am: BCC Gymnatorium Stage; $3.00
Field trips follow: 8:45am-12:30pm
BEGINNING BIRDING
Presenter: Nancy Corona
Birdwatching is far more than a hobby. It is an open door to the world of nature, a touch point that connects people to the outdoors. Birdwatching inevitably leads to a discovery of turtles, butterflies, wildflowers and all the interconnections of nature. In this informative talk, Merritt Island NWR Lead Ranger in charge of public programming and education, Nancy Corona, will cover field guides and other literature. She will provide helpful hints for beginners on where to find birds and how to identify them, pointing out interesting behaviors, typical silhouettes and identification tricks of the birding trade.
A free car-pool field trip to Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island NWR will follow the classroom session so you can get right out in the field and put your new knowledge to work. Please Bring water and snacks!
Nov 13, 8:30am-9:30pm: Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center; Free
Carpool to Black Point Wildlife Drive, 9:30am-12:30pm
Nov 15, 9:30am-10:30pm: Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center ; Free
Carpool to Black Point Wildlife Drive, 10:30am-1:30pm
OPTICS
Presenter: Mike McDowell
Start your birding festival experience on the right track with the right optical equipment for you. Binoculars are the mainstays of birdwatching, yet the vast array of choices can make it difficult to choose the ones that are best for you. How do binoculars and scopes work? What are the best binoculars and spotting scopes? How can I adjust binoculars so I can see best? What are the pros and cons of the different types of optics? How do I care for my equipment? All of these questions will be answered. There will be an opportunity to get hands on experience with a wide variety of types and manufactures of birding optics.
This free workshop is sponsored by Eagle Optics, www.eagleoptics.com.
Nov 13, 1:45pm-2:45pm: BCC Gymnatorium Classroom 4121; Free
Nov 15, 11:00am-12:00pm: BCC Gymnatorium Classroom 4121; Free
RAPTORS OF FLORIDA PART I: ACCIPITERS, KITES AND FALCONS
Presenter: Jeff Bouton
We will explore the finer points of raptor identification, looking at the subtleties beyond the obvious (e.g. square tail, round tail) including wing flap differences, typical flight profiles in soaring and gliding birds, age and sex characteristics and how these can be beneficial in identification. Eleven species will be covered with special emphasis on similar species such as Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks and others, including Swallow-tailed Kite, White-tailed Kite, Snail Kite, Mississippi Kite, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Goshawk, American Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon.
Nov 14, 3:15pm-5:15pm: BCC Student Dining Hall; $3.00
INTRODUCTION TO SHOREBIRDS
Presenter: Lee Snyder
Shorebirds: A visual overview of the flocks of small (and not so small) brown birds covering Florida's mudflats and sandy shorelines. Birds of the beaches, bays and marshes can be very difficult to identify. This program will help birdwatchers of all levels recognize members of this often frustrating group of birds. Sandpipers, plovers and related species are discussed-- Where they come from; where they go; and how to identify them in the field. Expect to apply some of your newly found knowledge on festival trips to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, one of North America’s premier shorebird locations. A field trip to the Black Point Wildlife Drive will follow Lee’s presentation.
To view some of Lee’s photography, visit www.lee-snyder.net
Nov 14, 7:00am-8:30am: BCC Gymnatorium Stage; $3.00
Field Trip: 8:45am-12:30pm, Limited to 21 registrants; $30.00
INTRODUCTION TO INTERPRETIVE BIRDING (PART I)
Presenter: Dr. Jim Davis
In this two hour workshop, Dr. Jim Davis explores different ways to integrate behavior watching into your birding activities. To begin with, there is the joy of discovering and identifying previously unseen behaviors. The next step is interpreting the actions of individual birds that you encounter in the field. To help you get started, Jim covers tricks of taking efficient and useful notes, how to recognize specific types of behaviors, and how to use behavior to identify species. He will also examine one or more behavioral topics (e.g., play, counter-singing, nest building, foraging) using an interpretive perspective.
To learn more about Interpretive Birding, visit www.ibirding.com.
Field Trip (Part II): Nov 15&16, 6:00am-10:00am
Nov 14, 1:00pm-3:00pm: BCC Student Dining Hall; $3.00
KAYAKING FOR THE NATURALIST
Presenter: Brad Miller; Coastal Outdoor Center
Phone: 904-471-4144 www.coastaloutdoorcenter.com
Florida is a land of water. Blessed with 11.4 million acres of wetlands in the form of swamps, marshes and bogs, there are over 30,000 named lakes and 30 major rivers. There’s over 300 springs in Florida, more than any other state or country in the world. What better place to experience the pleasures of kayaking! Florida provides paddling experiences as rich and varied as any place. Less than a day’s drive separates the beauty and solitude of the Everglades from the dark cypress swamps of the Loxahatchee (Florida’s only federally designated Wild and Scenic river), or historically and environmentally significant Pelican Island (America’s first National Wildlife Refuge). Join the growing number of people who choose kayaks as a way to enjoy the unique treasures that make Florida such a beautiful place to enjoy nature and the outdoors. American Canoe Association certified instructor, (Whitewater Kayaking and Coastal Kayaking) Brad Miller, offers an introductory class to make kayaking easy for birders and photographers. If you’ve never been in a kayak before, this is the class for you! Once you master the art of using a low profile kayak, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get REALLY close to wildlife and enjoy stunning scenery that seemed inaccessible before.
Nov 13, 2:30pm-3:30pm: Northeast corner of the BCC Gymnatorium; Free
Nov 15, 9:00am-10:00am: Northeast corner of the BCC Gymnatorium: Free
Kayaking Trips
PRACTICAL KNOT TYING
Presenter: Charlton Durant
Learn easy to use, easy to remember methods for tying a series of knots practical for everyday use. Charlton’s experience teaching knot tying spans 35 years, starting in 1969 instructing steeplejack apprentices in New York City.
Nov 13, 4:00pm-5:00pm: Northeast Corner of Gymnatorium; Free
Nov 14, 2:30pm-3:30pm: Northeast Corner of Gymnatorium ; Free
Kayaking Trips
RAPTORS OF FLORIDA PART II: BUTEOS, VULTURES, EAGLES AND MORE
Presenter: Jeff Bouton
We will discuss some of the confusing "soaring species", covering 11 species with special emphasis on age classes of the two eagle species and tips on how to separate them. Full coverage will be given to the various ranges of plumages in the buteos. The Red-tailed Hawk has at least five different named sub-species, can be either light or dark morph in many of these, and then can be either immature or adult, leaving the average person spinning. We will shed light on the differences between Swainson’s, Red-tailed, Ferruginous, and Rough-legged Hawks in their various plumages and will cover Broad-winged, Short-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, as well as Osprey and Crested Cara Cara.
Nov 15, 3:00pm-5:00pm: BCC Student Dining Hall; $3.00
INTERPRETIVE BIRDING IN THE FIELD (PART II)
Trip Leader: Dr. Jim Davis
Field Trip Details
Nov 15&16, 6:00am-10:00am: Strictly Limited to 12 registrants; $35.00/person
GULL AND TERN ID
Presenter: Jeff Bouton
Gulls and terns can be a dizzying group to separate (some individuals even baffle the experts). This challenge and their propensity to wander great distances make them a favorite of veteran birders everywhere. However, they are also a perfect group for beginners as they are easy to approach and sit in plain view for extended periods. We will begin our study with a classroom session where we will review basics such as: "bird topography", and a basic understanding of age and seasonal variations in plumages, and molt sequences. Then we will move on to photos of some of the many plumages shown by the commonly occurring Florida species. Following the class, we will put our "new found wisdom" to the test with a trip to Jetty Park. This area is consistently productive for many gull and tern species, and other goodies. Whether you are a beginner just learning these skills for the first time, or a veteran refreshing them, this class promises to be a fun, interactive experience with information presented in a clear, concise manner. All can expect to gain something from this class.
A field trip to Port Canaveral’s Jetty Park will follow the classroom session.
Nov15, 7:00am-8:45am: BCC Gymnatorium Stage; $3.00
PELAGIC SEABIRD IDENTIFICATION
Presenter: Larry Manfredi
Learning how to identify seabirds while on a moving vessel, as they fly past the observer, is not always an easy task. Veteran Florida birder, Larry Manfredi of South Florida Birding Tours, will give you the opportunity to learn seabirds as they are actually encountered from a boat. This workshop will introduce the beginning seabirder to some of the common pelagic birds that might be encountered off the East Coast of the United States. Among the birds discussed will be Audubon’s Cory’s and Greater Shearwaters, Masked Booby, Brown Booby, Sooty Tern, Bridled Tern, Brown Noddy and Pomerine Jaeger. www.southfloridabirdingtours.com
Nov 15, 1:30pm-2:30pm: BCC Student Dining Hall; $3.00
BEGINNING BIRDING FOR CHILDREN
Presenter: Betty and Cary Salter
Birding isn't just for grandparents anymore! Recent trends show birding is growing faster in people under 25 than in any other age group, and youth birding is on the rise! Kids (and parents too) are invited to join experts Cary and Betty Salter on an eye-candy birding trip around Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge's Black Point Wildlife Drive. Whether your youngster is just beginning or is a seasoned lister, this trip is sure to please, with large, colorful, rare birds like roseate spoonbills, reddish egrets and more! The Salters will have binoculars available and will provide instruction on binocular use and bird identification. Then the first 12 registrants will tour the Wildlife Drive in the Refuge's comfortable 12-passenger van (the rest will car-pool), stopping and disembarking to view the Refuge's mudflats teeming with shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl.
Disclaimer: Birding is highly addictive and Cary and Betty's passion for birds is contagious! This innocuous 2 1/2-hour trip could easily be the beginning of a lifelong obsession with the natural world for your child. Choose wisely: you'll be chauffeuring them to chase rare birds until they get a driver's license of their own!
http://www.geocities.com/carylsalter/index/html -- http://.geocities.com/ms_betsy_21/lady_luvs_nature.html
Workshop followed by a field trip.
Meet at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 9:15am. Bring snacks and water.
Nov 16, 9:30am-12:00pm: Limited to 30 registrants; Free
Click here to send eMail inquiries about the Festival or Contest.