EVENTS FOR THE FALL OF 2013

September 15, 2013, the FKH 2013 count season begins.

The monitoring of migratory birds from Curry Hammock State Park is conducted daily through November, from 9am – 4pm (EDT). All visitors are welcome. Link to our “Participation” page for more information. Please remember that the count site is located within a fee area. Volunteer counters are welcome for extended participation; call 305-804-6003. More than 25,000 migratory birds of prey have been documented from the count site during a single fall season. The project is renowned for documenting the highest numbers of Peregrine Falcons in the world. It is also the southernmost migration count in the continental U.S., and one of the few to document Swallow-tailed Kites and Short-tailed Hawks. Review this website for more information.

September 24 – 29, 2013. Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival.

Now in its 15th year, the festival offers a variety of programs, field trips, workshops and speakers guaranteed to enthrall nature lovers of all ages. Festival activities span the length of the island chain, from Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas, and give participants a unique perspective on the terrestrial and marine habitats of this subtropical paradise.

Click this link – ALL EVENTS – to review the entire festival calendar. Click here to download the festival BROCHURE. Click here to REGISTER for festival events. Below are links to festival events in coordination with the Florida Keys Hawkwatch.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013. 6:30 am – 9 am.

Join us for a morning walk with the aim of encountering migratory songbirds. The hammocks, forests and swamps of the Florida Keys are crucial stopover sites for thousands of migratory birds during the fall. These birds migrate primarily during night hours, flying over the Gulf and Florida Bay to find refueling grounds in the Keys before continuing into the Caribbean and South America. During the peak of migration, hundreds of birds may simultaneously make landfall at daybreak. We will be hearing many bobolinks and warblers flying overhead, and finding them within the hardwoods of the largest contiguous hardwood hammock in North America, along with thrushes, buntings, grosbeaks, vireos and many other birds.
Location: Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical State Park, Key Largo.
REGISTER HERE

Wednesday, September 25, 2013. 6 pm – 8 pm

A Pictorial Depiction of Indicator Species and Wading Bird Research in Florida Bay – FESTIVAL OPENING EVENT

The mangrove coasts, islands and mudflats of Florida Bay are important breeding, wintering and stopover habitat for many species of waders and shorebirds. Pete Frezza will give a presentation on wading bird research conducted by the Audubon Science Center at Tavernier. Rafael Galvez will present a series of paintings and drawings done in the field, depicting several bird species found in Florida Bay, their taxonomical characteristics, behaviors and habitats. A presentation of the original paintings, which will be on display, will be given with a focus on the regional importance of each species.
Location: Murray Nelson Government Center. Mile Marker 102.
REGISTER HERE

Thursday, September 26, 2013. 6 am – 8 am.

Most migratory songbirds, including warblers, vireos and thrushes migrate at night, guided by the stars, landmarks and the earth’s magnetic fields. During the peak of migration, hundreds of songbirds can be heard and seen at first light, arriving from their flights over the Gulf and Florida Bay waters to make landfall in the Florida Keys. We will meet at a strategic location at daybreak from which to enjoy this little-known natural phenomenon. Join Rafael Galvez for this wonderful and memorable experience.
Location: Layton Trail. Mile Marker 67, Bayside.
REGISTER HERE

Thursday, September 26, 2013. 1 pm – 3 pm

Learn the techniques and identification tips that will enable you to become an effective hawkwatcher, while observing a number of migratory birds of prey from the Florida Keys Hawkwatch observation deck. Learn how to differentiate between the different types of birds of prey in flight. Advanced tips will help you sort through some of the most difficult raptor ID challenges. Beginners and seasoned raptor enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. Binoculars and scopes will be provided by Leica Sport Optics.
Location: Curry Hammock State Park. Mile Marker 56.2.
REGISTER HERE

Friday, September 27, 2013. 6 am – 8 am.

Most migratory songbirds, including warblers, vireos and thrushes migrate at night, guided by the stars, landmarks and the earth’s magnetic fields. During the peak of migration, hundreds of songbirds can be heard and seen at first light, arriving from their flights over the Gulf and Florida Bay waters to make landfall in the Florida Keys. We will meet at a strategic location at daybreak from which to enjoy this little-known natural phenomenon. Join Rafael Galvez for this wonderful and memorable experience.
Location: Layton Trail. Mile Marker 67, Bayside.
REGISTER HERE

Friday, September 27, 2013. 6 pm – 8 pm.
Festival Reception

Be a part of migration! There are many renowned migration hotspots throughout the world, yet few know about the significance and magnitude of migratory birds over the Florida Keys. More than 20,000 birds of prey can be observed from the Middle Keys during a single season, including the highest number of Peregrine Falcons recorded anywhere in the world. Parks and refuges throughout the Keys are crucial stopover sites during spring and fall, and are visited by thousands of warblers, thrushes, orioles and many other songbirds making migratory flights in and out of the North American continent. Learn how to best experience this wonderful natural phenomenon, when and where in the Keys to best enjoy the passage of migrating waterbirds, raptors and songbirds. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Location: Marathon Garden Club. Mile Marker 59.5, Bayside.
REGISTER HERE

Saturday, September 28, 2013. 6:30 am – 9 am.
Guided Keynote Speaker Event

Join Rafael Galvez for a morning walk with the aim of encountering migratory songbirds. The hammocks, forests and swamps of the Florida Keys are crucial stopover sites for thousands of migratory birds during the fall. These birds migrate primarily during night hours, flying over the Gulf and Florida Bay to find refueling grounds in the Keys before continuing into the Caribbean and South America. During the peak of migration, hundreds of birds may simultaneously make landfall at daybreak. We will be hearing many Bobolinks and warblers flying overhead in search of foraging habitat, and will see a variety of species engaged in their migration journeys. You’ll also probably see White-crowned Pigeons, Gray Kingbirds and Great White Herons as well as the endangered Key Deer.
Location: National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center, Big Pine Key.
REGISTER HERE

Saturday, September 28, 2013. 2 pm – 3 pm.

Birding is a great way to have fun outdoors! The identification of sandpipers and plovers may be challenging, even to experienced birdwatchers. As many as 30 species of shorebirds may be found in the Keys during the fall. We will explore the differences between several similar species while observing them in the field. Advanced tips will help you sort through some of the most difficult ID challenges. Beginners and seasoned birders of all ages are welcome. Binoculars and scopes will be provided by Leica sport Optics.

Carpooling to additional locations in the Middle Keys may be required. Starting at the festival grounds.
Location: Curry Hammock State Park. Mile Marker 56.2.
REGISTER HERE

October 9 – 13, 2013. 10 am – 3 pm.

Nowhere else on Earth have Peregrine Falcons been documented in higher numbers during migration than from Curry Hammock State Park. During the 2012 migration season, an astonishing 651 Peregrines were counted by the FKH team on October 10 alone, establishing a new single day world record (the previous record was 638 in a single day, established October 11 by FKH counters during the 2008 season). By the end of the 2012 season, a total of 3,836 Peregrine Falcons were documented migrating over the count site, establishing the highest full-season count for the species on the planet. Many of these birds are migrating from the tundras of North America and flying as far as the southernmost tip of South America. Join us as we expect high numbers of migratory falcons, and possibly a new single day world record.

Location: Curry Hammock State Park. Mile Marker 56.2.
THIS EVENT IS FREE WITH PARK ENTRANCE FEE.

Octubre 13, 2013. 10 am – 3 pm.

El Halcón Peregrino es el animal más veloz del mundo, con vuelos a más de 200 millas por hora. Es un ave carismática que ha sido admirada desde la antigüedad por su belleza, vuelo y poder. Sus migraciones la llevan a viajar desde regiones de cría en el norte extremo del continente Norte Americano, a través del Caribe, Centro América y Sudamérica, hasta llegar a Patagonia. Cada otoño, mas Halcones Peregrinos que en cualquier otra parte del mundo se concentran en los Cayos de la Florida antes de seguir hacia Cuba, Haití, Venezuela, Colombia, México, Panamá, Perú, Chile y muchos países más. Ven a ver cientos de halcones pasar sobre los cayos este 13 de Octubre. Habrá orientaciones en español. Para todas las edades. Para más información llame al 305-804-6003.

Location: Curry Hammock State Park. Mile Marker 56.2.
THIS EVENT IS FREE WITH PARK ENTRANCE FEE.