Mead Botanical Garden, Winter Park, spring migration birding walk

Orange Audubon will be holding guided bird walks at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park each Saturday in April during the height of the spring migration season. This is the third of four spring bird walks.

Mead Garden has been a good migration trap, a place for migrating birds to stop for food and rest on their way back north after the Winter. The variety of habitats, wetlands, open water, and an upland area with oaks and tall pines, appeals to a number of bird species. 164 species have been documented in the past several years, including 23 warblers and 6 types of woodpeckers. Barred owls, Red-shouldered and Cooper’s hawks have been nesting in Mead Garden.

In the spring, many of the birds should be getting into their mating plumage, which could make for a colorful show. A limited number of loaner binoculars are available. If you need a pair, please come a little early to sign them out and, if necessary, get a quick course on their proper use.

The walks will be on Saturdays starting April 5th through April 26th. They will begin at 8:00 a.m. and last 2 to 3 hours at a casual pace.

Each walk will be led by an experienced birder, is open to the public, and there is no charge. Mead Botanical Garden is located at the intersection of south Denning Drive and Garden Drive two blocks east of Orlando Ave (Hwy. 17-92).

Please join us. The walks for fall migration were lots of fun, inspired several people into the world of birding, and introduced many to the “oasis of Nature” that is Mead Botanical Garden. No need to preregister, just show up and have fun. Hope to see you there.