The Thirteenth Annual Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival, located in the subtropical Florida Keys, is scheduled for September 21 through 25, 2011 and will be anchored at Curry Hammock State Park, MM 56.2, Marathon, FL. Additional information is available by calling Jim Bell at the National Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center at 305-872-0774.

Registration: A downloadable form can be found here. Checks, money orders or cash are accepteble for payment.

Checking In: To facilitate your participation with the 13th Annual Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival, we have two optional check in sites – the Curry Hammock State Park (305-289-2690) at mile marker 56 on US 1, open from 8 am – 5 pm. Also, the National Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center (305-872-0774) on Big Pine Key, open Monday – Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm.. Directions to the Center are: at the traffic light on US 1, mile marker 30.3, turn onto Key Deer Blvd (Gulf side), travel 1/4 mile and turn right into the Big Pine Key Plaza. The Center is located in the first corner of the shopping plaza. Festival registrants may obtain informationat these two sites.

*Some activities below have limited space and require reservations. Participation in most field trips requires registration.

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Everglades Birding Field Trip

Everglades National Park
Wednesday, September 21, 8:00 – 11:00 am
$10 per vehicle fee
Meet at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center parking lot near the main entrance to the park. We’ll travel to several birding habitats within the area. Be prepared to drive your own vehicle and make sure to bring insect repellent, water and sun protection. The walk is led by ENP interpretive ranger Christi Carmichael.

Long Key field trip with Janice Duquesnel, Florida Keys Biologist, Florida Park Service

Wednesday, September 21, time: 8:30am – 11 am
Sorry, canceled due to a lack of registrants

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Botanical and Wildlife Tour of No Name Key

National Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center, Big Pine Key, mm 30.3
Thursday Spetember 22 9:00am-11:00 am
Free with Event Registration, Limited to 2-15 people
Group will travel to No Name Key to explore the hardwood hammock, freshwater wetlands and saltmarsh habitats and the creatures that live there.
Bring binoculars, camera, birding guide, sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, water and a snack. Need footwear for possibly muddy trails. Restrooms and waterfountain available in VC. Water bottles for sale in VC sales area.

Florida Bay Birding Field Trip Sorry, filled

Everglades National Park Ranger Station MM 98, bayside
Thursday, September 22, 9:00 – 12:00
Join naturalists from Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for a three hour boating trip in the upper reaches of Florida Bay. Bring binoculars and your favorite bird ID materials and we’ll motor near mangrove islands to see who’s roosting, feeding, and flying overhead. Shoreline excursion on Nest Key if weather permits. Free with event registration. Bring sun, rain, and bug protection.

Keys Habitats &  Backcountry Tour

Where: Key Largo, MM 103.5 Marine Labs, 51 Shoreland Dr. Participants will need sun protection, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, jacket if rainy, insect repellant & sign a Release Form
When: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: $20/person
The tour focuses on the importance of mangroves to a healthy marine ecosystem. A high point of the trip is experiencing the silence and mystery of a quiet mangrove creek. Tour starts with a 45-minute overview of the different terrestrial and marine habitats of the Florida Keys and ends with a boat tour of the backcountry waters. Minimum 4, maximum 11; Limitations: older than 8 years, under 18 must be accompanied by parent, not wheelchair accessible.

Discover Reef Check (snorkel)

When: 12:45 pm – 5:00 pm
Cost: $25
Become a marine biologist for an afternoon! This half day course allows you to see how biologists conduct coral reef research. Try your hand at some of the sampling techniques used in monitoring coral reefs.
Prerequisites: Can swim and use mask, fins and snorkel Participants: Minimum 4, maximum 11older than 8 years, under 18 must be accompanied by parent; not wheelchair accessible, will need sunscreen, swim suit, towel. Mask fins and snorkel provided if necessary, but bring your own if you have it.

Ethnobotanical Tour of Tropical Plant Species

Where: The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort
When: 4:30 pm.
Cost: Minimum $15 donation to the garden (free self-guided tours if staying at Kona Kai)
Enjoy a tropical botanic garden on the fringes of one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. This tour is led by the garden’s own ethnobotanist and focuses is on the interaction between plants and people. With over 250 species of tropical plants, the tour (max. 8 people) promises “you’ll never look at a plant, or your world, in the same way again.” The property, overlooking Everglades National Park, is often visited by area and migrating tropical birds; but on this tour bird-lovers will enjoy drawing many parallels between how humans and birds rely on plants for their daily survival. Visit kkresort.com and choose Botanic Gardens for more info.

How To Be a Better Birder — Even if You’re Already an Expert!

John Pennekamp State Park, mile marker 100, Key Largo.
Thursday September 22 7pm – 9:30 pm
$10/person, limited to 88, registration by rsvp only, no pay at door accepted.
Kimberly Kaufman has spent the last 15 years of her life completely immersed in the world of birds and birding. In this fun and enlightening presentation, Kim will share some of the weirdest, coolest, scariest, and most memorable things she’s learned about birds and birders, and along the way, try to help you get more from every birding opportunity.

Friday September 23rd, 2011

Guided walk on How To Be a Better Birder — Even if You’re Already an Expert!

Dagny Johnson SP, SR 905, one mile north of the junction of US1 mm 106, ocean side
Friday September 23 8 am – 11 am,
$25/person, limit 20. Must RSVP by September 16, 2011. No “pay-at-the-door”

Behind the Scenes Tour of Clinic and Aviaries Key West Wildlife Center

Where: Key West Wildlife Center, 1801 White Street, Key West
When: 10:00-11:00 am
Leader: Thomas Sweets/Peggy Coontz
Cost: Free, donations appreciated
The tour encompasses a behind the scenes look at the clinic, aviaries, and grounds of a working wildlife center. The center caters to wild birds and key west chickens. Wheelchair accessible. Restrooms and water available at Center Pavilion.

Ethnobotanical Tour of Tropical Plant Species

Where: The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort
When: 10:30am
Cost: Minimum $15 donation to the garden (free self-guided tours if staying at Kona Kai)
Enjoy a tropical botanic garden on the fringes of one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. This tour is led by the garden’s own ethnobotanist and focuses is on the interaction between plants and people. With over 250 species of tropical plants, the tour (max. 8 people) promises “you’ll never look at a plant, or your world, in the same way again.” The property, overlooking Everglades National Park, is often visited by area and migrating tropical birds; but on this tour bird-lovers will enjoy drawing many parallels between how humans and birds rely on plants for their daily survival. Visit kkresort.com and choose Botanic Gardens for more info.

Tour and bird wathching opportunity

Where: Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Stock Island
When: Friday, September 23rd at 2:00 pm.
Cost: $10 donation to Garden
Offering a Docent tour and bird watching opportunity at the 15 acre Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, a frost free, tropical moist forest unique to the lower keys boasting 164 species of birds and 52 species of butterflies throughout the year. The walk features hardwood hammocks, freshwater wetlands, butterfly gardens and other unique natural settings.

Opening Reception – sponsored by Friends And Volunteers Of Refuges (FAVOR)

The event will be held at the Marathon Garden Club, mile marker 49.9 on US 1, gulf side, Marathon from 6 – 9 pm. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Cost: $25/person, includes hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, book signing; seating is limited to 100. Also see Saturday for keynote walk information.

Presentation “Kingbird Highway: Extreme Birding in Another Era”

The idea of “competitive bird watching” has developed so much appeal recently that it has even caught the attention of Hollywood! (A major movie comedy about birders, “The Big Year,” is scheduled for release in fall 2011.) But birding competitions actually have a long history. And the Florida Keys have witnessed much of this history, because every serious birder winds up coming to the Keys to see the special and spectacular birds here. Kenn Kaufman is known today mainly as an expert on bird identification and as an editor of field guides to nature subjects, but as a teenager he was a rabid bird-lister. He spent five years hitch-hiking around North America in pursuit of birds, culminating in an all-out Big Year effort on a budget of less than a thousand dollars. His book about that adventure, Kingbird Highway, has become a cult classic. In this program, Kenn tells some of the stories behind the story, and relates that intense era to the birding scene of today.

For more information on our keynote speakers click here

Saturday September 24th, 2011

Guided Birding walk on National Key Deer Refuge

Who: Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman
When: 8 am – 11 am, followed by a book signing at the VC
Where: Meet at the National Key Deer Refuge visitor center. Directions: From the traffic light on US 1, Big Pine Key, mm 30.3, turn gulf side onto Key Deer Blvd. Travel up the island for ¼ mile and turn right into the Big Pine Key Shopping Plaza. The visitor center is in the first corner. There are two restaurants in Plaza that serve breakfast and lunch, and more on US 1.
Cost: $ 50/person, limit 20, RSVP accepted, can pay at the door

Behind the Scenes Tour of Clinic and Aviaries Key West Wildlife Center

Where: Key West Wildlife Center, 1801 White Street, Key West
When: 10:00-11:00 am
Leader: Thomas Sweets/Peggy Coontz
Cost: Free, donations appreciated
The tour encompasses a behind the scenes look at the clinic, aviaries, and grounds of a working wildlife center. The center caters to wild birds and key west chickens. Wheelchair accessible. Restrooms and water available at Center Pavilion.

ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR – sponsored by the Friends of Islamorada Area State Parks

Free, fun-filled day at Curry Hammock SP, mile marker 56.6, Event hours 10am-3pm
Fun for people of all ages, including kids and kids-at-heart!
Hands-on Activities

• Guided beach hike and self-guided kayak tours
• Live Florida wildlife
• Participate in our scavenger hunt – win a free Birding Fest t-shirt
• Visit dozens of booths sponsored by local resource agencies, non-profit organizations, and local artists, including; FWC’s touch tank, and Bahia Honda’s puppet show.
• FREE lunch (hot dogs, chips and a drink) starting at 12 noon while supplies last.

Capturing Birds and Wildlife “Through The Lens”
6:30 pm wine and cheese social, program 7:30pm – 9pm
Where: Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, Key West
Cost: $10
Presenter: Dick Fortune and Sara Lopez,Through The Lens Gallery

Award winning nature photographers Dick Fortune & Sara Lopez will be giving an up close and personal photographic presentation of South
Florida’s birds and wildlife as seen through the lens. The presentation will include a unique collection of nature’s feathers, fins and
furs as seen through the powerful telephoto eyes of this artistic couple. They will be providing the audience with simple tips on taking
images to the next level, so come and join them for an evening of learning and fun!

Field Trips

Tour and bird wathching opportunity

Where: Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Stock Island
When: Saturday, September 24th at 2:00 pm.
Cost: $10 donation to Garden
Offering a Docent tour and bird watching opportunity at the 15 acre Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, a frost free, tropical moist forest unique to the lower keys boasting 164 species of birds and 52 species of butterflies throughout the year. The walk features hardwood hammocks, freshwater wetlands, butterfly gardens and other unique natural settings.

Ethnobotanical Tour of Tropical Plant Species

Where: The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort
When: 4:30 pm.
Cost: Minimum $15 donation to the garden (free self-guided tours if staying at Kona Kai)
Enjoy a tropical botanic garden on the fringes of one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. This tour is led by the garden’s own ethnobotanist and focuses is on the interaction between plants and people. With over 250 species of tropical plants, the tour (max. 8 people) promises “you’ll never look at a plant, or your world, in the same way again.” The property, overlooking Everglades National Park, is often visited by area and migrating tropical birds; but on this tour bird-lovers will enjoy drawing many parallels between how humans and birds rely on plants for their daily survival. Visit kkresort.com and choose Botanic Gardens for more info.

Sunday September 25th, 2011

Special Sunday Field Trip!

On Sunday, join us for an all-day birding excursion to Dry Tortugas National Park. This trip boards at 7:30 AM in Key West and returns around 5 PM. Participants need to make their own ferry reservations on the Yankee Freedom, 305-294-7009. Fees depend on residency and whether you have a Federal Lands pass. This year we will have two field trips with different emphasis. Choose avid Florida Keys birder Dr. Mark Whiteside, Florida Keys Audubon for a traditional birding experience, or wildlife photographers Dick Fortune and Sara Lopez to learn some of the secrets of professional wildlife photography.

The birding trip is limited to 20 in each field trip. The fee is $25 if registering before September 1 and $30 after September 1. This event has filled the last two years, so register early.

Curry Hammock Pedal and Paddle

Meet at the kayak launch at Curry Hammock State Park (Mile Marker 56 Oceanside) at 10:00 for a leisurely 4-mile paddle around Little Crawl and Deer Keys, then to a beach for a short cleanup. Over by noon. Can bring own kayak or canoe or rent from Curry Hammock State Park. – $21.50 for double, $17.20 for single for the two hour trip.At 1:30, meet at the Nature Trail parking area across US 1 from the park entrance at Mile Marker 55 bayside for a pedal along the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. About 8 miles roundtrip. Over at 3:00. Join the paddle, the pedal or both! Bring a life jacket for the paddle and a bike helmet for the ride as well as sun protection. Must have own bicycle. Water and a water bottle will be provided. Bring lunch if attending both events. Park fee will be waived for attending either event but there is a $10 donation to the Bird Fest for each event (or $15 for both). Contact Monica by Saturday at the latest so I can give a list to the ranger station: Monica Woll at 305-853-3571 (305-360-0846 cell) before the event or sign up at the Overseas Heritage Trail booth on Saturday at the Environmental Fair at Curry Hammock.

Behind the Scenes Tour of Clinic and Aviaries Key West Wildlife Center

Where: Key West Wildlife Center, 1801 White Street, Key West
When: 10:00-11:00 am
Leader: Thomas Sweets/Peggy Coontz
Cost: Free, donations appreciated
The tour encompasses a behind the scenes look at the clinic, aviaries, and grounds of a working wildlife center. The center caters to wild birds and key west chickens. Wheelchair accessible. Restrooms and water available at Center Pavilion.

Ethnobotanical Tour of Tropical Plant Species

Where: The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort
When: 10:30am
Cost: Minimum $15 donation to the garden (free self-guided tours if staying at Kona Kai)
Enjoy a tropical botanic garden on the fringes of one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. This tour is led by the garden’s own ethnobotanist and focuses is on the interaction between plants and people. With over 250 species of tropical plants, the tour (max. 8 people) promises “you’ll never look at a plant, or your world, in the same way again.” The property, overlooking Everglades National Park, is often visited by area and migrating tropical birds; but on this tour bird-lovers will enjoy drawing many parallels between how humans and birds rely on plants for their daily survival. Visit kkresort.com and choose Botanic Gardens for more info.

Daily Activities

The Florida Keys are a nature lover’s paradise. Here are some of the activities available every day.

Time	Additional Fee	Sponsor/Presenter	Description
9 am – 4:30 pm	$20, $17.50 active military and veterans, $16.50 seniors, $15 kids age 4-12	Dolphin Research Cemter	View training and information session, and view educational exhibits on dolphins
9A-4P	Free	National Key Deer Refuge	Visitor Center and nature trails
10A-4P	dontion	Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden	Self-guided or docent led tours of freshwater wetlands, hardwood hammocks and butterfly gardens
10A/1P/4P	$15	Turtle Hospital	Behind the scenes tour
Fri Sat Sun only	$2 park admission and self-guided (9A-5P), $1 additional docent guided (10A/2P)	Windley Key Geologic State Park	Hammock tour

Resort Partners:

Kona Kai and Banana Bay Resorts have partnered with us by providing accommodations for the Kaufmans, our Keynote Speakers and would appreciate visitors patronage. The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort are on the grounds of the acclaimed Kona Kai Resort, Key Largo. A limited number of accommodations with special pricing are available to Birding and Wildlife Festival attendees. Registered guests are invited to enjoy complimentary self-guided tours at any time. Call 800-365-7829 for more information about their accommodations or to make a hotel reservation. Banana Bay Resort and Marina is located in Marathon, please call 866-689-4217 for Festival pricing and reservations. Banana Bay is located on 10 tropical acres and offers numerous amenities that include a sandy beach, pool, water sports and fishing.

Camping Information

Curry Hammock State Park’s campground will be open for camping during the festival. Sites are reserved through Reserve America. Price is $43.00 a night plus tax, all sites have water and 50/30/20 amp electric service, and there is a dump station in the campground. Also, Bahia Honda State Park at mile marker 35, has camping.

Motel Information

Click here to download a list of hotels with rates.

For more information

Contact Jim Bell at the National Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center at 305-872-0774.