SHORELINE PARK

Francis M. Weston Audubon Society (FMWAS) offers regularly scheduled activities:

  • Local Field Trips
  • Birds & Brews
  • Overnight/Out-of-Town Field Trips
  • Pop-up Events
  • Private Field Trips

Local Field Trips: Typically, 2-5 hours and generally require longer walks of 2-3 miles. It may not be appropriate for children. Free to attend.

Birds & Brew: Typically, 2 hours or more. Great opportunity for some light bird watching for about an hour, then head to a local brewery to socialize. Free to attend.

Overnight/Out-of-Town Field Trips: Typically, 2-3 days and at least 3 hours by car. An excellent opportunity to explore other hotspots for birds and wildlife. Price varies based on location.

Pop-up Events: Typically announced with 2-3 days’ notice on Facebook. Often coincides with good weather conditions for birds. Free to attend.

BIG LAGOON

Private Field Trips: Ideal for visitors to the area who want to explore some of the best birding hotspots or simply enjoy birding without the crowds. Typically, 3 hours. Escambia and Santa Rosa County locations. Other locations may require an additional fee. $50 per person or $35 per person with at least three people. If you’re interested, please email us at FMWASEvents@gmail.com, and we’ll be happy to customize a walk for you.

Field trips, Birds & Brews are open to the public. Overnight Field Trips require a small fee to attend; all other walks are free.

Additional contributions are always accepted and appreciated. All birding experience levels are welcome. Bring binoculars and/or a spotting scope (will be noted if needed), as well as sunscreen, insect protection, appropriate shoes, hat, water, and snacks for all events.

A few pairs of binoculars will be available if needed. Please refrain from wearing scented cologne, perfumes, or aftershaves on field trips. It distracts from the experience in nature, and some participants are highly sensitive to it.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER © JULIE SCHIRO

Members and friends also participate in activities sponsored by the National Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and others.

These include the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), Backyard Bird Count, Global Big Days, Breeding Bird Surveys, and more.

Many volunteer activities are also available, including leading a birding activity, offering to speak to garden and other clubs, representing FMWAS at a display table at an event, helping on Bruce Beach Workdays, serving on one of our committees, or becoming a board member. Just jump in. Under the Support tab, select Volunteer.

We have adopted the American Birding Association’s (ABA) Principles of Birding Ethics. Please familiarize yourself with the code on the ABA’s Code of Ethics page at http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html.

Here are several great ways to keep up with all FMWAS activities:

The Francis M. Weston Audubon Society is a non-profit IRS 501 [c] [3] corporation and is registered as an exempt charitable organization under Chapter 496 of Florida statutes.”