Lettuce Lake Beginning Bird Walk: Who Can Participate?

By Jessica Parrish

Recently, I co-lead the Lettuce Lake Beginning Bird Walk. I have co-lead this past month as well and saw a lot of familiar faces, which was so neat! Clearly, the event was well received enough to warrant continued participation! The question came up, how long does it take for me not to be a beginner? Will there be a time when I can't go to this walk? How about other

walks? Will I be welcomed as a beginner?

Lettuce Lake Bird Walk August 8th, 2026 Photo Credit: Jessica Parrish

Though the Lettuce Lake Beginning Bird Walk is labeled “beginner,” we welcome all levels of birders to the walk. We label it “beginner” because we bake into the walk more time for binocular help. This might be someone's first time in a county park, so we also talk about gear for beginners and other places that are beginner friendly. We talk about these things because the focus is for people who are just starting out on their birding journey. This is not to say that on any of our other walks, someone will not be willing to help with binoculars or answer “beginner” type questions. We welcome all birding levels to all of our outings.

Lastly, there might be a time where we have other focused walks for other groups. Discussion might be focused on those groups or activities, but Tampa Audubon Society will remain open to anyone who would like to join us, regardless of birding level. Please join us at other events as they fit your schedule.