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Turkey Creek Sanctuary Field Trip (Palm Bay)
February 28, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join Bert Alm for a limited participant bird walk Sunday, February 28, 2021, at Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay, FL. This field trip could serve as a practice outing if you attended the Birdwatching Basics or Joys of Birding (Intermediate/Advanced) Training provided by Kate Wells in January and February.
Please follow our new protocols due to the Covid Pandemic.
• All participants must register on Meetup.
• Registration is limited for each Field Trip based on the number of Leaders available.
• All participants must check in with the Field Trip Leader and sign the Liability Waiver.
• Masks are REQUIRED for all attendees and attendees should try to maintain social distancing guidelines
• Equipment will not be shared by Field Trip Leaders. Family groups and social pods may share equipment amongst their group.
• Carpooling is only allowed for family groups and social pods. No field trips will be conducted that require carpooling at this time.
• Food will not be provided at events nor will we gather after events at restaurants, picnics, etc., except for family groups and social pods.
• When two or more Field Trip leaders are available, we will break up into groups of 10 or less and go on different routes. When passing other groups try to maintain social distancing.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Field Trip Leader.
As part of the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) program and the East Florida section of the Great Florida Birding Trail, Turkey Creek Sanctuary is 130 acres of wonder, biodiversity and natural resources.
Established in 1981, the Sanctuary offers a 1.85-mile boardwalk passing through hydric (wet) hammock, mesic (moist) hammock, and sand pine scrub communities, and 1.5 miles of jogging trails through native forest, both excellent for viewing a multitude of wildlife. Within the Sanctuary, there is also a 1-mile mountain bike trail with a direct connection to an additional 8 miles. As well as walking, jogging, and biking, the Sanctuary can also be accessed by canoe or kayak.
You’ll enjoy seeing manatees, alligators, and Florida cooters (turtles) in the creek, and you might see an otter or a garfish. Birds abound in the old pine canopy, including ospreys and owls.
Turkey Creek Sanctuary’s hardwood hammock has a well-deserved reputation as a hotspot for migratory songbirds. The site’s warbler list alone boasts 30+ species, including Canada, Nashville, Wilson’s, Cerulean, and Connecticut. The best time to visit is in September, October, and then in April, as the site’s songbird counts receive statewide acclaim during those months. The boardwalk trail winds along Turkey Creek through oaks, maples, and sabal palms good for Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, and Indigo Bunting. Rare visitors recorded at the site include Philadelphia Vireo, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and Black-headed Grosbeak. This site offers 2 miles of hiking trails and a 1-mile biking trail.
This site has 195 species reported in eBird overall with over 30 species since November.
We will get familiar with the Turkey Creek Sanctuary trails and help the new birders get familiar with their binoculars and apps in preparation for Spring migration. We will plan to go to Turkey Creek Sanctuary again in April to focus on the Spring migrants.
We will meet at 9:00 am at the parking lot.
Recommend you wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and a hat and bring water and bug spray. Remember Masks are REQUIRED.
To see this event’s field trip report located on the Space Coast Audubon Society Website (48 hours after the event), follow the link
http://www.spacecoastaudubon.org/category/trip-reports/
The point of contact is Bert at 310-738-2894.
