THIS MONTH

SEVAS EVENTS

Connection is What We’re All About

SEVAS lives out its mission to protect birds and their habitat by providing a diverse selection of field trips, programs and projects for all. These opportunities to learn more about our unique wildlife, environment, and conservation are wonderful for families and friends. Our regularly scheduled trips are led by knowledgeable volunteers who know the area, the best birding spots and are eager to teach. We encourage everyone, with of all levels of expertise.

Education and advocacy are also part of our mission at SEVAS. Our monthly meetings are presented by savvy speakers about important topics that increase our understanding of current issues related to birds and the environment.

Plants for Birds and Project Purple Martin

These wonderful projects offer hands-on opportunities to provide sustainable habitats for our birds, while informing our community about the importance and wonders of urban nature. Click these links for more on how you can become involved as volunteers.

Plants for Birds
Project Purple Martin

Please join us!

Birding for Beginners Workshop NEW

What’s that in my tree? Who’s making that sound? They may be everywhere, but how do I see them better? If you’re interested in birding but don’t know where to start, this workshop is for you!

This 2-part workshop includes a classroom session and an in-the-field session.

This workshop will take place amidst several types of habitat, and will introduce skills and information to increase your joy of birds and start your birding journey.

The evening classroom session will cover different types of birds and techniques for identifying them, tips on choosing and using optics, how to use a field guide, get the most out of online resources, and much more.

The field trip will provide a hands-on birding experience at one of Florida’s best birding hot spots. We will observe the habitat, fine-tune our optics, get our eyes on a bird, and practice the tools you need to identify what’s in the scope!

PART 1: Thursday, January 30, 7-9pm in New Smyrna Beach.
PART 2: Saturday, February 1, 8am-3pm field trip to Merritt Island, a Central Florida hot spot within one of the most productive estuaries in the country. The diverse habitat here could mean a long species list!

It takes time to build identification skills, discern different sounds and behaviors, but connecting with other birders and getting out into the field can sustain wellbeing and become a hobby for life.

This workshop is for adults and children 12 and older (with an accompanying adult).
Field Trip transportation is via personal vehicles.
Cost is $20 members, $25 non-members.
Workshop limit: 12 participants.

SEVAS MEMBERS REGISTER HERE
NON MEMBERS REGISTER HERE
Specific details will be sent to those registered.

Community Science Events

SEVAS members participate in various counts and community science projects through the year. Join a team--everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary.

  • Dec 28: SEVAS Christmas Bird Count, (CBC) Since 1900, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, rain, or sunshine to collect data used to assess populations, and guide conservation action.

  • February 7– 13: Florida Shorebird Alliance Winter Shorebird Survey, (WSS) The FSA is a statewide network of local partnerships committed to advancing shorebird and seabird conservation. The Winter survey helps to identify key wintering sites to guide future conservation efforts, and recognize long term trends in population and distribution.

  • Feb 14 - 17: Audubon Great Backyard Bird Count, Join us for the GBBC when the world comes together for the love of birds. Since 1998, this worldwide event gets birders to count as many birds as they can find in their favorite areas, to help expand our understanding of birds. Count for as little as 15 minutes in your own backyard to help expand our understanding of birds.

SEVAS Speaker Series

Second Thursday of the month at the Marine Discovery Center, 520 Barracuda Blvd, New Smyrna Beach. Meetings start at 7pm with updates and light refreshments. Our Monthly SEVAS Speaker Series features savvy presentations with specialists, advocates, researchers, authors, and more, about important topics to increase our understanding of environmental issues related our local habitats, wildlife, and our world. Join us October - April. ppssst…the Barracuda Bridge is OPEN! Meeting attendance is free and the public is welcome. Please bring a friend.

  • JANUARY 9 7PM (ZOOM ONLY, no in-person meeting this month!) SEVAS welcomes Daisy Fiore, PhD, from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey sanctuary just outside Orlando. The CBP mission of protecting and saving Florida’s birds of prey is remarkable, and you’ll discover the unique challenges birds of prey face, and the important habitats and resources they depend on. Discover the rescues, treatments, rehabilitations and releases of Florida’s raptors. If you haven’t yet visited the center, you will want to after this!

  • FEBRUARY 13 7PM How does history play a part in conservation? Join Chad Macfie, Executive Director of the Marine Science Center at Ponce Inlet as he details what life and landscape was like when Florida first started to attract pioneers and developers. First-hand accounts of old Florida will take you back to a place that was both beautiful and miserable. How did changes in the environment improve the lives of its settlers and affect what we see today? Be ready to jump into your time machine and use history as a learning tool for the future.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walks

Experienced SEVAS birders lead these walks for both beginning and avid birders. Walks are free* and open to the public. Each site offers different birds and a chance to visit a variety of natural areas. Meet at 8am for these 2 hour walks. Dress for the weather, (January temps can be warm to COLD, often during the same morning!) and bring optics a snack, sunscreen, water, bug spray, etc. Check the SEVAS Facebook page or our MeetUp for updates.
*some sites have entry fees, most do not.

  • JANUARY 7 Canaveral National Seashore Turtle Mound trail. New Smyrna Beach-Apollo Section. Canaveral is the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coastline in Florida. This barrier island is composed of dune, hammock, and lagoon habitat, and this Timucua shell mound has been a navigational aid for generations. It is an oyster shell midden rising 35 feet above sea level, and an archeological site dating back to 800AD. Wonderful views from the top! Note-National Park fees apply. Sign up on MeetUp HERE

  • JANUARY 14 Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens, 950 Old Sugar Mill Road, Port Orange. Spend a lovely morning amidst the dinosaurs. This 10-acre property is a historical site as well as a botanical gardens. A favorite location! Sign up on MeetUp HERE

  • JANUARY 21 Indian River Lagoon Park, 700 Sandpiper Ave, New Smyrna Beach. Bird along a scenic trail with moss-covered trees onto the dock overlooking Brown's Bay. Dolphins and manatees are often possible. Sign up on MeetUp HERE

  • JANUARY 28 AC Delbert DeWees Municipal Pier and Seminole Rest, Oak Hill. Park at 247 River Rd, near Goodrich’s. After we bird both the observation pier over the mangroves, and the municipal pier on the Indian River, we will bird the historic Seminole Rest grounds, an early pioneer settlement and Timucua shell mounds. Sign up on MeetUp HERE

Birds & Brews

Third Monday of each month. B&B walks provide a happy end-of-day birding jaunt and a social at a local pub or restaurant. We bird different sites, and enjoy time to relax, laugh, and connect. Adult beverages optional.

  • JANUARY 20 4PM Frank Rendon Park in Daytona Beach is famous for a variety of shorebirds during peak migratory season- we’ll see what we can find. After birding we’ll nosh at Crabby Joe’s Deck and Grill, 3701 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores.

Saturday

CANCELED- we will reschedule. JANUARY 25 ONE MORNING CHALLENGE (anytime before noon!) Choose your own area in Volusia County, and compete to spot the most species! Create a team or search solo, begin any time after midnight. Finish in time to join the wrap up gathering, 12 noon, at Indian River Lagoon Park, 700 Sandpiper Ave, New Smyrna Beach, at noon. Bring a lunch and your species lists!

Field Trips

Field trips are longer outings to further out areas. Overnights will have additional costs. We usually meet locally to carpool. Dress for the weather, and bring a snack, water, bug spray, etc. Check Facebook or MeetUp for updates.

  • JANUARY 11 630AM Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
    Meet at the SR44 Walmart parking lot to carpool. Lake Apopka can be most exciting birding destinations in central Florida. It is the state’s fourth-largest lake and is fed by a natural spring. One of the special highlights of this property is the 11-mile Wildlife Drive. The drive is one-way and meanders through the eastern portion of the property. These valuable wetlands are a haven for wildlife and a treat to all who visit. We will be birding from car with 2-way radios; very little walking required.

    Expect more American Coots and Common Gallinules than you’ve ever seen before, plus target species such as Gray-headed Swamphen, Purple Gallinule, American Bittern, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, maybe even a Snail Kite.

    Bring a lunch and we will picnic in the area. Plan to return to NSB mid-afternoon.

    Sign up on MeetUp HERE - it helps us plan!

  • More trips in the works- return soon for updates.

  • April 2025 SOUTH FLORIDA OVERNIGHT … details soon!