CLEARWATER – The Clearwater Audubon Society will host the following upcoming events that are open to the public:
• Saturday, Jan. 2 – A bird walk is set for 8 a.m. at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2760 Park Trail Lane. Walk along the 3/4-mile trail to look for songbirds, water birds and raptors in the oak hammock. Cost is $2 for kids age 3 through 12 or $3 for people age 13 and older. Call Lynn at 596-8822.
• Monday, Jan. 4 – The monthly Audubon meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. with a mix and mingle time starting at 7 p.m. at Moccasin Lake Nature Park. The speaker will be Charles Lee as he shares his knowledge about the history of the Audubon Society in Florida. Call 462-6024.
• Saturday, Jan. 9 – A bird walk is set for 8 a.m. at Fort De Soto County Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway, Tierra Verde. Search for migratory songbirds, raptors, water and shore birds. Call John at 461-4762.
• Friday, Jan. 15 to Sunday, Jan. 17 – A multi-day trip to Stormwater Treatment Area 5, Lake Okeechobee and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is set, where there is a network of lakes that provide a beautiful habitat to thousands of birds. Birds include peregrine falcons, snail kite, white pelicans, purple gallinules as well as songbirds, wading birds, owls and raptors. Call Paul at 447-4785 for details and prices.
• Tuesday, Jan. 19 – Big birds for beginners at Bonner Park is set for 8 a.m. at 11901 146th St., Largo. Meet in the parking lot for a short lecture and then take a walk under the canopy oaks and then onto the short boardwalk which leads to a large, covered dock with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway. Bring armchairs and binoculars. Call Lynn at 596-8822.
• Saturday, Jan. 23 – Big birds for beginners at Honeymoon Island is set for 10 a.m., 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin. Meet at the nature center for a short lecture on how to identify shore and water birds and then walk along the Honeymoon Island shoreline and Dunedin Causeway and look for birds. There will be about 3 miles of sand trails and some driving. Cost is $4 to enter the park. Call Lynn at 596-8822.
• Saturday, Jan. 30 – Celebrate the Clearwater Audubon Society’s 50th birthday 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage. There will be a wine and cheese social hour, a dolphin show and catered buffet dinner as well as other activities. Pre-event prices are $35 a person or $60 a couple. Cost at the door is $40 a person or $70 a couple. Call Jane at 447-7394.
