Tour Descriptions

Most Thursday & Friday events are in southern Wakulla County, but there are 3 activities at Wakulla Springs Friday night. Most Saturday events are at the Wakulla Springs State Park, but there are also tours at the Refuge, Ochlockonee River and Bald Point State Parks, and near the Leon Sinks Geological Area on Saturday.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15TH	FRIDAY. APRIL 16TH TOURS >	SATURDAY, APRIL 17TH TOURS >
7:00 - 9:00 am	Early Morning Neotropical Bird Walk Around Tower Pond - St. Marks NWR - Join Jeff Howland, Assistant Refuge Manager, in a walking tour around a one-mile trail around Tower Pond to observe the brilliant colors and songs of migrating Neotropical songbirds. Also will see shorebirds, wading birds, alligators and spring wildflowers. Bring your binoculars and meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, 1255 Lighthouse Road. (preregistration required) $12

7:30 - 9:00 am	Wakulla River Birding Boat Trip (south of the Wakulla Springs State Park) Join Captain Allen Hobbs for a 9-mile round trip pontoon boat trip up the Wakulla River from Shell Island to the US Highway 98 bridge (locally known as Lower Bridge) and back to see birds and other wildlife on this phenomenal spring-fed river. (Maximum 8 passengers). Meet at the Shell Island Fish Camp, located 18 miles south of Tallahassee on State Road 363 in the quaint fishing village of St. Marks. (For directions, call the Fish Camp at 850/925-6226) (preregistration required) $15

9:00 - 10:30 am	Wakulla River Birding Boat Trip Same as above (preregistration required) $15

10:00 - 12:00 pm	Guided Hike to Shepherd Spring & Cathedral of Palms by retired Refuge Manager Joe White; Hidden deep in the hardwood forest of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge lies the jewel of freshwater springs. Along the Florida Trail leading to Shepherd Spring, many species of woody and herbaceous vegetation can be seen. If you enjoy mature swampy forests, this walking tour is a must. Meet at the wildlife check station on the Wakulla Beach Road. Call the Refuge at 850/925-6121 for detailed directions. (preregistration required) $12

10:30 - 12:00 pm	Wakulla River Birding Boat Trip Same as above (preregistration required) $15

1:30 - 3:00 pm	Birdwatching at Bald Point State Park Bald Point is strategically located at the mouth of Ochlockonee Bay. Geographically it is the first land fall for thousands of trans-gulf migrants as they wing their way north. In the right weather circumstances Bald Point can be literally covered with birds! Join Park staff at Bald Point (go through the Bald Point State Park entrance gate and drive to the end of the Bald Point Road). (preregistration required) $12

3:00 - 4:00 pm	Guided Tour of the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory by Jack or Anne Rudloe, internationally recognized scientists and writers. Visitors are invited to see and examine many of the sea creatures contained in the numerous aquaria and touch tanks throughout the lab. The Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory in Panacea is an independent nonprofit environmental center and aquarium. The lab focuses on sea organisms found in north Gulf coast waters. Meet at the Lab, located on Clark Drive, two blocks east of Highway 98 in Panacea. For detailed directions, please call 850-984-5297 (preregistration required) $10

3:00 - 4:00 pm	Boat Tour of Historical Apalachee Bay Join Captain Vic Davis for an inshore boat tour of historical areas of Apalachee Bay. (4 passengers) Meet at the Wakulla Welcome Center, 1498 Coastal Highway (US 98) in Panacea (preregistration required) $20

5:30 - 7:00 pm	Boat Tour of Historical Apalachee Bay (preregistration required) $20

6:00 - 8:00 pm	Sunset Boat Trip to Spring Creek and Smith Island - Captain Jody Campbell of Suncatcher Cruises - From Shell Point, cruise up to Spring Creek to see bald eagles, alligators, dolphins, and all types of shorebirds. Anchor off Smith Island to view nesting pelicans, egrets, herons, and gulls. View a magnificent sunset before returning back to Shell Point. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, binoculars, and favorite beverage. Hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks available. You may optionally bring your own wine or beer. Meet at Shell Point. Call Jody at 850/926-1173 for directions. (6 passengers) (preregistration required) $45

FRIDAY, APRIL 16TH

6:30 - 10:30 am	Red-cockaded Woodpecker Tour in the Apalachicola Forest by Dr. Fran James - Most of this tour in mature longleaf pine habitat, where female red-cockaded woodpeckers should be laying eggs this week. Bachman's Sparrow males should be in full song and Brown-headed Nuthatches are fairly common. We will also visit hardwood hammocks where there is a good chance of finding migrants like yellowthroats and hooded warblers. In addition to birding , we will see and talk about the general management of the forest by the USDA Forest Service. Carpool to the Apalachicola National Forest on the east side of the Ochlockonee River in the Wakulla ranger District. Meet at the Huddle House at 2611 Crawfordville Highway (US319) in Crawfordville next to Winn Dixie at 6:30 am. (preregistration required) $12

8:00 - 10:00 am	Early Morning Refuge Bird & Wildlife Tour - St. Marks NWR - Tour in a van with retired Refuge Manager Joe White behind the gates around refuge pinewoods, swamps and impoundments and learn about the refuge's history, its wildlife management and glimpse alligators, deer, bobcat, otters, wading birds, eagles and much more. Bring your binoculars and meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, 1255 Lighthouse Road. (preregistration required) $12

11:00 - 2:00 pm	Sightseeing Canoe Trip on the Wakulla River (south of the Wakulla Springs State Park) Canoe or kayak the 6 mile round-trip referred to as Between the Bridges. Leisurely paddle the crystal clear water floating over sandy bottoms, with the fish beneath you and the birds above you. Enjoy the sounds of nature that surround just you and your paddles. Meet at 10:30am at TNT Hideaway Canoe Rentals located at 6527 Coastal Highway (at Highway 98 Bridge over the Wakulla River). (preregistration required)

1:30 - 4:00 pm	Naturalists' Tour to Shepherd Spring & Cathedral of Palms with Refuge staff - Hidden deep in the hardwood forest of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge lies the jewel of freshwater springs. Along the Florida Trail leading to Shepherd Spring, many species of woody and herbaceous vegetation can be seen. If you enjoy mature swampy forests, this walking tour is a must. Meet at the wildlife check station on the Wakulla Beach Road. Call the Refuge at 850/925-6121 for detailed directions. (preregistration required) $12

1:30 - 3:00 pm	Wildflower Walk at the Ochlockonee River State Park - Park Staff - Meet at the Ochlockonee River State Park picnic grounds. (preregistration required) $12

3:00 - 4:30 pm	Boat Tour of Historical Apalachee Bay (preregistration required) $20 see above for full description

5:30 - 7:00 pm	Boat Tour of Historical Apalachee Bay (preregistration required) $20 see above for full description

6:00 - 8:00 pm	Sunset Boat Trip to Spring Creek and Smith Island - Captain Jody Campbell of Suncatcher Cruises - From Shell Point, cruise up to Spring Creek to see bald eagles, alligators, dolphins, and all types of shorebirds. Anchor off Smith Island to view nesting pelicans, egrets, herons, and gulls. View a magnificent sunset before returning back to Shell Point. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, binoculars, and favorite beverage. Hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks available. You may optionally bring your own wine or beer. Meet at Shell Point. Call Jody at 850/926-1173 for directions. (6 passengers) (preregistration required) $45

7:30 - 9:00 pm	Owl Prowl at the Wakulla Springs State Park Join Jim Shelton of Apalachee Audubon, to observe and learn about owls and night birds. After a brief discussion of the natural histories of the various species of owls and nightjars in our area, we will take a short walk around the Lodge to call in and observe the owls present. Meet in the Terrace adjacent to the lobby of the Wakulla Springs Lodge (preregistration required) $5

7:30 - 9:00 pm	Introduction to Florida Frogs Florida is home to 27 native and three well-established exotic frog species. Paul Moler, of FWC, provides an introduction to the natural history of frogs and includes a few “words” from each of the species found in Florida. Tapes of Florida’s frogs will be available for $2.00. Presentation in the Ed Ball Room (#103) of the Wakulla Lodge (preregistration required) $5

7:30 - 9:00 pm	Bat Presentation & Night Watch Join Jeff Gore, Wildlife Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, for a presentation on Florida bats. He will lead a walk to possibly hear and see Florida's native "masters of the night". Meet in the Pavilion Building in the Wakulla Springs State Park (preregistration required) $5

8:00 - 10:00 pm	Night Prowl Around the St. Marks Refuge - Tour with Dr. Gil Nelson by van and by foot around the St. Marks Unit of the refuge to hear and glimpse owls, bats, deer, alligators and learn about all those different species of frogs calling and other nighttime wildlife. Dress to be outside and meet at the Refuge Visitor Center, 1255 Lighthouse Road. (preregistration required) $12

SATURDAY, APRIL 16TH

7:00 - 8:30 am	Sunrise Birding Boat Cruise with DEP Biologist Dana Bryan on the first boat and an expert Audubon birder on the second boat. Join an expert birding guide and experience the Wakulla River at daybreak. Meet at the waterfront building at the base of the boat docks, Wakulla Springs State Park (preregistration required) adults $12, children 12 and under $7

8:00 - 12:00 pm	Bird Mist Netting and Banding by Join Dr. Peter Homann, FSU The use of mist nets for capturing birds will be demonstrated. An aluminum band with a unique serial number will be applied to the leg of any captured bird as part of a world-wide effort to study pair bondage, territoriality, site fidelity from one season to the next, migratory routes, and survival. For comprehensive information about bird banding in the U.S. see http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl and for insight into a large-scale banding operation http://www.westol.com/~banding. Meet Dr. Homann at the beginning of the Sally Ward Nature Trail northwest of the Wakulla Springs Lodge. (no preregistration) Free

8:30 - 9:30 am	Birding Tour This is one of several walking birding tours offered in the morning. Join these interesting tours with expert birders and see and learn about our glamorous feathered neighbors. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (sign-up, no preregistration) Free

8:45 - 10:45 am	River road Neotropical Birding Tour Jim Cox will guide a small group of birders on a two-hour trip down the River Road which is typically accessible only on guided tours. The group will look for those hard to find species typically found in this extraordinary environment. Of course this will be a special opportunity and space is limited so sign up early. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (preregistration recommended) $12

9:00 - 11:30 am	Tour of Sinks of Wakulla Springs River Basin This tour, led by Jim Stevenson, will follow the route of one of the cave systems conducting groundwater to Wakulla Springs. We will begin at the Leon Sinks and visit other sinks as we travel south across the Wakulla Springs recharge area. We will discuss action that has been taken by the Wakulla Springs Basin Working Group to protect the groundwater from contamination by various land uses. Meet in the parking lot inside the Leon Sinks Geological Area at 6605 Crawfordville Highway (US Highway 319) at the southern extent of Leon County. (5.5 miles south of Capital Circle on the south side of Tallahassee and 3.2 miles north of County Road 267) (preregistration required) $12

9:30 - 10:30 am	Birding Tour Same as the 8:30 - 9:30 am Birding Tour (sign-up, no preregistration) Free

9:30 - 10:30 am	Woodland Plants Tour Several tours offered throughout day. Walk the park’s trails and roadsides with expert plant enthusiasts and learn how to identify the Florida Big Bend’s spring wildflowers and forest plants. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (sign-up, no preregistration) Free

10:00 - 12:00 pm	Champion Tree and Plant Tour - Van and walking tour - Participants will take this 1.5 mile, 90 minute walking tour through the Sanctuary, which is typically accessible only on guided tours. Master Wildlife Conservationists George Apthorp and Connie Bersok will take you through a mature hardwood hammock, while identifying woodland plants (including several Florida champions and challengers trees) along the way. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (preregistration recommended) $5

10:30 - 11:30 am	Birding Tour Same as the 8:30 - 9:30 am Birding Tour (sign-up, no preregistration) Free

10:30 - 11:30 am	Basically Blue Birds Presentation Join Birdsong Nature Center's Interpretive Naturalist, Amy Waite, for a close look at these celebrated feathered friends. Discover what it takes to make your yard bluebird friendly as we review their food, water and housing needs. Resources and handouts will be provided. Presentation in the Pavilion, Wakulla Springs State Park. (no preregistration) Free

11:00 - 12:00 pm	Tree Tour by Stan Rosenthall and Chuck Goodhart - Two walking tours on Saturday. Learn to identify many of the trees and forest plants in the Wakulla River Basin, one of the most beautiful and diverse forests in our area. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (no preregistration) Free

11:15 - 12:45 pm	Turtle Tour by Dale Jackson (Research Zoologist, Florida Natural Areas Inventory) - Van and walking tour - Learn about Suwannee cooters and other turtles as you travel down the river road in the Sanctuary, which is typically accessible only on guided tours. These turtles nest in the Park at this time of year. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (preregistration recommended) $12

12:00 - 1:00 pm	Glassbottom Boat Tours to Learn About Fish in the Wakulla Spring Basin This tour will not be offered if the Spring water is dark on Saturday. Take a guided tour with a DEP biologist on a glassbottom boat tour to view and learn about fish under the glass in the huge basin of the Wakulla Spring. (Sorry, no fishing!) Register Saturday morning inside the Waterfront Building next to the boat dock on Saturday morning. adults $12, children 12 and under $7

12:00 - 1:30 pm	Bald Point Birding Field Trip with Bonnie Jean Allen and Jack Dozier - Bald Point is strategically located at the mouth of the Ochlockonee Bay. Geographically it is the first land fall for thousands of trans-gulf migrants as they wing their way north. In the right weather circumstances Bald Point can be literally covered with birds! Join park staff at Bald Point (go through the Bald Point State Park entrance gate and drive to the end of the Bald Point Road). (preregistration required) $12

12:00 - 2:00 pm	Naturalists' Tours of the St. Marks Refuge Join guide and refuge volunteer Don Morrow for a "behind the scenes" tour of the woods, marshes and pools of the St. Marks Unit of the refuge. Enjoy all the natural beauty spring has to offer on one of the nation's oldest and most diverse National Wildlife Refuges. Meet at the St. Marks NWR Visitor Center, 1255 Lighthouse Road. (preregistration required) $12

12:30 - 1:30 pm	Birding in Your Backyard Presentation by Jim Shelton, Apalachee Audubon; If you love having lots of birds in your backyard, but want to know more about them, then this is the program for you. We will discuss the various backyard species and what you can do to encourage and provide for them. The program will cover various topics including, feeding and watering stations, nest boxes, species identification and habitat enrichment. This presentation will be in the Pavilion Building, Wakulla Springs State Park. (no preregistration) Free

12:30 - 1:30 pm	Medicinal Plant Tour by Scott Savery, Biologist, Wakulla Springs State Park; Take a guided walk into the woods of Wakulla Spring State Park to discover plants with healing properties. Plants will be identified and the past and present uses discussed. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (no preregistration) Free

1:00 - 2:00 pm	Woodland Plants Tour Same as the 9:30 - 10:30 Woodland Plants Tour (sign-up, no preregistration) Free

1:30 - 3:30 pm	Champion Tree and Plant Tour - Van and walking tour - Participants will take this 1.5 mile, 90 minute walking tour through the Sanctuary, which is typically accessible only on guided tours. Master Wildlife Conservationists George Apthorp and Connie Bersok will take you through a mature hardwood hammock, while identifying woodland plants (including several Florida champions and challengers trees) along the way. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (preregistration recommended) $5

1:30 - 3:30 pm	Naturalist Tour with Gil Nelson Take a tour to the less traveled places in Wakulla Springs Park to learn about Florida's woodland plants and tips on how to use them in your own landscape. Gil Nelson, local author and naturalist, will lead the tour by Sally Ward Spring and the park's north boundary.

1:45 - 3:15 pm	Turtle Tour by Dale Jackson (Research Zoologist, Florida Natural Areas Inventory) - Van and walking tour - Learn about Suwannee cooters and other turtles as you travel down the river road in the Sanctuary, which is typically accessible only on guided tours. These turtles nest in the Park at this time of year. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (preregistration recommended) $12

2:00 - 3:30 pm	Hiking with Herps Join Ryan C. Means and Rebecca Meegan for a stroll where we discover countless critters that you didn’t even know were out there. We will investigate the whereabouts and habits of local reptiles and amphibians and be herpetologists for an hour. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (preregistration recommended) $12

2:30 - 3:30 pm	Tree Tour by Stan Rosenthall and Chuck Goodhart - Two walking tours on Saturday. Learn to identify many of the trees and forest plants in the Wakulla River Basin, one of the most beautiful and diverse forests in our area. Meet at the Tour Headquarters, Wakulla Springs State Park. (no preregistration) Free

2:30 - 3:30 pm	Naturalists' Tour of the St. Marks Refuge Tour in a van with Refuge staff behind Refuge gates - Meet at the St. Marks NWR Visitor Center, 1255 Lighthouse Road. (preregistration required) $12

6:30 - 8:30 pm	Ochlockonee River Red-cockaded Woodpecker Tour The red-cockaded woodpecker is a specialty species of the local pine flatwoods. Join park staff at the Ochlockonee River State Park, which has an easily observed, active, red-cockaded colony. Meet at the Ochlockonee River State Park picnic grounds. (preregistration required) $12