North Shore Birding Festival

The North Shore Birding Festival highlights the St. Johns River Water Management District’s 20,000-acre Lake Apopka North Shore, an Important Bird Area and the top eBird hotspot in Florida.

The 7th annual festival, December 1-5, 2022, will have over 60 trips all over Central Florida. Most trips are based out of the McDonald Canal, CR 448A, Mount Dora, and allow driving into parts of the Lake Apopka restoration area that are otherwise inaccessible except on foot or bicycle. All levels of birders, nature photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the field trips, which include a Beginning Birding trip at Wekiwa Springs State Park, suitable for children accompanied by an adult.

Field trips cost $10–90, and many include a box lunch. College students can participate in almost all field trips for half price, and college student travel scholarships are available.

Reservations are required, and trip tend to fill fast. Registration will open sometime in late September. To be alerted of the exact date, sign up for the festival email list at this link: https://bit.ly/3QJkv2f

This volunteer-run festival is put on by Orange Audubon Society and all proceeds benefit Orange Audubon’s nature and environmental education center fund and related educational efforts. Contact Orange Audubon Society if you have any questions at festival@orangeaudubonfl.org or 407-637-2525.