Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival
A birding and wildlife festival is a way to bring nature lovers together for exhibits, workshops, and field trips led by nationally-known birding and photography leaders. The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, one of the oldest and largest birding festivals in the country, is in its 26th year. It will be January 22nd through 26th at the Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral.
More than 50 exhibits for birding, wildlife, and nature enthusiasts create an exciting Expo Center, open each afternoon, and registrants will visit as soon after their field trips. The public can visit at no charge from noon to 6pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.on Saturday. An outstanding array of optic equipment can be tested and purchased. Destination tour companies, wildlife and birding organizations, nature-based businesses, authors, photographers, and painters will also be showcased.
The festival introduces participants to the “wild” side of Florida with over 70 field trips that go as far as Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County, to Daytona Beach Shores to see an evening gull congregation, and to birding hotspots in Brevard and surrounding counties. Photo trips are included. Trip leaders are among the top wildlife professionals in the nation.
The American Flamingo is this year’s special bird, as a group of flamingos have settled at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge after being flung here by Hurricane Idalia in September 2023. For the Thursday night keynote, Dr. Jerry Lorenz of Audubon Florida will share status of flamingos in Florida, and kayak trips may allow participants to see these iconic Florida birds. The Wednesday keynote is by a bird cartoonist Rosemary Mosco, the Friday keynote by renown Ohio birder and author Kenn Kaufmann, and the Saturday keynote by one of the country’s top gull experts, Amar Ayyash. Keynotes are at 6pm, after the close of the Expo Hall. Interesting talks and workshops will be held in the afternoons.
Those who know little about birds can learn how watching them can be fascinating and enhances wellness. The festival also educates on the importance of preserving fragile environments and wildlife. Founder Laurilee Thompson, of the famed Titusville seafood restaurant Dixie Crossroads, retired from involvement with the festival specifically to focus on conservation issues. Progress has been made on water quality in the Indian River Lagoon.The seagrasses have come back, bringing with them a diverse food chain. Join the learning and fun at our festival.
The registration link is online at scbwa.net.
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