The Greater Tampa Bay region is famous for its diversity and abundance of birds, including such exciting birds as the festival’s logo – the Reddish Egret. Black Skimmer in action is one of hundreds of interesting birds festival attendees can find during field trips, although this festival is just as famous for its excellent speakers, seminars, and expo, as well as a real camaraderie among attendees.

One of the most popular birding festivals in America, the Florida Birding & Nature Festival provides a full schedule of activities, seminars, keynote speakers, and a nature expo centered at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon, the four-day event offers a wealth of field trips throughout the greater Tampa Bay area and west-central Florida.

The national/international level of expertise of the keynote speakers alone should attract birders from across the country, with Denver Holt, Founder of the Owl Research Institute; Mark Madison, the national historian for the US Fish and Wildlife Service; and Kenn Kaufman, author and birder extraordinaire known from Kaufman Field Guides and Audubon. Similarly, seminar presenters offer a wealth of experience and expertise for festival participants.

Field trips can be divided into ground-based and boat-based trips, led by experienced local birders, wildlife biologists, scientists, and photographers – all with experience with area birds. The region is renowned as an exceptional birding location, especially due to its variety of habitats. Many field trips are limited in the number of participants, so register as soon as possible.

Birders will revel at the opportunity to experience the area’s avifauna, which includes such exciting birds as Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, Limpkins, and a diversity of wading birds; Wilson’s Plovers, Whimbrels, and a variety of shorebirds, a host of waterbirds including Purple Gallinules, plus resident and migrating songbirds, birds of prey, and area specialties including Florida Scrub Jays, the Florida subspecies of Sandhill Cranes, and the Florida subspecies of Burrowing Owls – plus a host of fall migrants. Who can resist such an expansive list of potential species to experience in mid-October?

To check out the full field trip and seminar list, along with other festival information, and to register, please refer to https://www.floridabirdingandnaturefestival.org/