Established in the 1940s and incorporated in 1972, we serve the Greater Hillsborough County region, including Tampa, Lutz, Plant City, Brandon, Riverview and Seffner. 

By Jessica Parrish, Outreach Coordinator, and Jim Hengelbrok, Membership Coordinator Welcome new members : Ashely B., Thomas H., and Charlene G. Thank you Tampa Audubon Supporters: Eric M H., Julia H., Susan S., Rose R., Beverly C., Kristen C., Alicia V., Johanna M., C R., Z H., Robin T., Robert C., Danielle G., Jacob L., Abigail S., Randy B., and Nevada S. Finally, a special thanks to all who said they would volunteer with Tampa Audubon! As an all-volunteer organization, our

Ann Paul, President By Ann Paul, Tampa Audubon President We really don’t recognize how lucky we are. We live in the United States with the best health care the world has ever known. We travel freely whenever and wherever we want, in air-conditioned comfort over roads that, if crowded, are designed to take us across a large, interesting, and beautiful country. Our air and water are cleaner than they were in the 1970s, with provisions to safeguard our breathing and digestive sy

Tampa CBC By Dave Bowman, compiler, Tampa Christmas Bird Count The Tampa Christmas Bird Count is an exciting event our birders look forward to every year during the holiday season, from December 13th to January 5th. This year, we had our Bird Count on January 3. I am proud to announce this year’s turnout for the National Audubon Society’s 126th Christmas Bird Count Tampa Division was a success, with a total of 37 participants. Our results are as follows: Together, we observed

By Mic McCarty, Field Trip Coordinator When I am out driving, I often like to disconnect from the hectic pace of life. I especially like to listen to music evocative of my destination. Whether I am on my way to Fort De Soto, Magee Marsh, Acadia, or even the grocery store, the music that I listen to (when not listening to bird calls) is often acoustical and filled with the sounds of nature.  Orange Tree Productions records music suited to the natural environment. It specialize

The Florida Young Birders club had a fall full of monthly outings: Lettuce Lake Park in September, Connor Preserve (Odessa) in October, Roosevelt Wetlands (Pinellas Park) in November, and Circle B Bar Preserve (Lakeland) in December. We had some regular members attend most of the outings with a few new members sprinkled in.   Last weekend, we had an outing to Lake Parker and Lake Morton in Lakeland co-led by former Florida Young Birder, Charles Law, and current Florida Young

Spring is one of the most exciting seasons for bird enthusiasts. As winter gives way to warmer days, birds become more active, showy, and vocal. By being seasonally savvy, you can create the perfect environment to help them thrive. With just a few thoughtful choices, your backyard can become an important stopover for migrating flocks and a safe haven for year-round residents.

As spring progresses, migrant species will arrive as winter visitors prepare to leave the area. To s

Zoom link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84959398693 MacDill Air Force Base is the home, wintering ground, and migration stop for over 235 species of birds. We will discuss the different species that call the base home and the many different habitats that make the installation so rich in bird life. Eric Plage has always been fascinated with birds and birding since picking up the passion at the age of 7. He is the Natural Resource Manager at MacDill AFB. An avid birder in the Tam

By Sandy Townsend, Newsletter Editor A Florida Scrub-Jay spotted in Southeastern Hillsborough County in December traveled nearly 10 miles to find a new home, a distance not typical for the rarity. The scrub jay was spotted at Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve Dec. 7 by iNaturalist users niccolejs and zacgaryfla, then again Dec. 14 by Tampa Audubon member Charlie Fisher during the Alafia Banks Christmas Bird Count. The rarity has not been recorded in that area for 20 years or

Ann Paul, President By Ann Paul, Tampa Audubon President As bird-watchers, this will seem so familiar, especially as we are finished now with the multiple Christmas Bird Counts. We’ve been on alert for all winged creatures, trying to ignore planes flying over. And as a result, we are all still avidly watching the skies, trying to turn circling, lazy-winged vultures into eagles and hawks, white items along shorelines into egrets (darn, another plastic bag!), sticks and rocks i

Ann Paul, President By Ann Paul, Tampa Audubon President As you know, we have a lot of habitat and climate challenges facing our world these days. Two upcoming events are happening that deserve our attention and participation: Florida Arbor Day on Jan. 16 and the Prescribed Fire Fest on Feb. 21. January 16: Florida Arbor Day Celebrated statewide and in Hillsborough County with a tree workshop  Florida Arbor Day Tree Workshop and Giveaway Jan. 16, 9-11 am UF/IFAS Extension Hil

Photos (Top row: Mary Miller & Roxie Custalow, Bottom row: Clint Perigard and Sherry Keller) By Mary Miller Tampa Audubon Society Bluebird Trail Coordinator Hello everyone!  It is hard to believe that it will soon be time for the 2026 Bluebird Nesting season to begin! If you would like to sponsor one of the 56 boxes on the Flatwoods Bluebird Trail this year, now is the time to sign up! Nesting season is from March to August and sponsors will receive a weekly activity report f

By Mary Keith, Tampa Audubon Board Member and Audubon Florida Board Member Mary Keith led volunteers from Tampa Audubon to join the Pasco County Christmas Bird Count Dec. 15. Part of the Tampa Audubon sector included Heartwood Preserve, where we counted birds for several hours. The exciting part was a survey - by airboat - of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park on the Gulf of Mexico. I was asked what’s it like to bird by airboat. It is NOISY! That big V-8 engine behind you r

With Jason Fischer, Ph.D., Conservation Manager, Disney Conservation Jan 8, 2026 Tampa Garden Club , 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa 33629 6:30 pm: Potluck - Bring a dish to share 7:15 pm: Announcements/Program Zoom link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84959398693 Dr. Jason Fischer is a Conservation Manager who supports conservation projects for Disney parks and resorts. Ever since he first started taking pictures of birds as a child, he has been fascinated by birds and our relationsh

By Mic McCarty, Field Trip Coordinator Dear Tampa Audubon members and bird enthusiasts,  We are thrilled to announce a limited number of free subscriptions for our volunteers to Birds of the World, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s premier online resource that has taken flight to become the leading authoritative source for everything avian! 🌍🐦 Your Ultimate Guide to Birds At Birds of the World, Cornell has gathered and meticulously curated basic and in-depth scientific infor

By Mic McCarty, Field Trip Coordinator  Pileated Woodpecker photographed by Mic McCarty. Woodpeckers play an essential role in forest ecosystems as nature’s excavators, earning their reputation as a keystone family. By chiseling out cavities in trees, woodpeckers create critical nesting sites not only for themselves, but also for numerous other bird species and small mammals. These abandoned cavities are often reused by owls, bluebirds, squirrels, and other wildlife, greatly

Photo of Downy Woodpecker by Mic McCarty. “The Downy Woodpecker” From Bird Stories from Burroughs , Gutenberg Project release date July 12, 2008, eBook #26046, Copyright 1871   Downy came and dwelt with me,  Taught me hermit lore; Drilled his cell in oaken tree  Near my cabin door.   Architect of his own home   In the forest dim, Carving its inverted dome   In a dozy limb.   Carved it deep and shaped it true   With his little bill; Took no thought about the view,   Whether da

View our photo gallery above. Photos of Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and visitors by Lynn Mitchell. All others by Jonathan Hoiles. Story by Lynn Mitchell, Tampa Audubon Member and Volunteer Tampa Audubon and Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation recently partnered to help prevent birds from getting injured or killed when they fly into the large windows at the nature center at Lettuce Lake Park. The county installed dotted window film at the Joel Jackson Nature Center,

There are many ways you can donate to Tampa Audubon. If you are donating to a specific cause, such as the Window Film at Lettuce Lake Park, please make a notation on your check or digital donation. We appreciate any and all donations, no matter how big or small! Website: Through our website with PayPal. Mail: Tampa Audubon Society P.O. Box 320025 Tampa FL 33679-2025 Paypal or Venmo:

Alafia Banks CBC - Dec. 14 This year, we'll participate in the National Audubon Society’s 126th Christmas Bird Count! We will be out hooting for owls in the pre-dawn dark and counting every bird that we can find in the TAS sector of the Alafia Banks CBC on Dec. 14. Participants do not have to join in all day — we welcome everyone to come and help count for whatever portion of the day you can! If you live in our count area, you can even just report the species that you see fro

Join the Tampa Audubon Society for an exciting weekend adventure in Southwest Florida, exploring the region’s rich birdlife and diverse natural habitats. Please register by Jan. 2. Itinerary Friday, January 9, 2026: Welcome and Sunset Eco Cruise The trip begins with a group meeting in Naples at 3 PM. Participants will embark on a two-hour sunset Eco Cruise of Rookery Bay, providing a unique opportunity to observe local wildlife and enjoy picturesque views as the sun sets over