Trip to Tall Timbers Research Station (Tallahassee) and Birdsong Nature Center

Orange Audubon Society (OAS) is sponsoring a weekend trip to Tallahassee to explore Tall Timbers Research Station (TTRS) and nearby Birdsong Nature Center (Birdsong) in the ‘Red Hills’ area of the Panhandle.

Arrive Friday, March 28th; enjoy birding and guided tours Saturday at TTRS and Sunday morning at Birdsong; depart Sunday after lunch.

Space is limited to 40 people and reservations are required. For the guided field trips contact Teresa: mwilliams@cfl.rr.com or (407) 644-0796 by March 10th for reduced rate; final deadline for registering is March 25th.

For lodging at the recommended Cabot Lodge, call (850) 386-7500 by March 14th and mention OAS for special rate; note that a limited number of rooms have been blocked for this event.

Weekend birding activities include a guided ‘wagon’ tour of TTRS, known for its milestone research in fire ecology, plus Northern Bobwhite, Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW), native plant communities, longleaf pine, ornithology, herpetology and invertebrates.

Saturday’s birding guide is Jim Cox, TTRS’ scientist and Vertebrate Ecology Program Director who also promises to provide ‘front row seats’ for banding of Brown-headed Nuthatch, Bachman’s and wintering sparrows and (optionally) RCWs plus a look at fire research plots and the authentic, restored Jones family tenant farm house. A picnic lunch on the grounds will be followed by guided tours of the historic Beadel House, circa 1895, and onsite museum that houses a number of rare specimens. End the day birding on your own along the public trail that loops past TTRS’ bird window.

About nine miles from TTRS across the Georgia line is Birdsong Nature Center, where naturalist extraordinaire Wilson Baker will be our guide on Sunday morning as we explore for birds and other natural pleasures. Afterwards those who wish may enjoy Birdsong’s famous, mesmerizing bird window before departing for home (bring a lunch if you’d like to eat with the group). Like TTRS’ history, Birdsong’s is also entwined in the antebellum plantation era that gave way to game bird hunting and pioneering activities in fire experimentation and wildlife management that are now its focus and purpose.

Early bird field trip cost is $40 for Audubon members, $55 for non-members and $15 for youths ages 4-17 accompanied by paid adult (after March 10th please add $5 each person), which includes admission to TTRS and Birdsong, lunch Saturday and snacks during socials on Friday and Saturday evenings before dinner.

For full details including itinerary, Cabot Lodge information, some other hotel, camping options and area dining information, visit OAS’ website: www.orangeaudubonfl.org.