Hillsborough County and the surrounding area have much to offer and the Tampa Audubon Society is pleased to assist with field trips. If you would like to stop along the way or spend a little extra time in the area checking out that place you have heard so much about, below is a list of some places you can enjoy on your own.

Thursday, October 26 | Enjoy on your own

Distance from hotel: 50-minute drive to Lakeland. See waterbirds, warblers, Purple Gallinules, and more. This site offers a flat walking surface and is very popular with photographers.

Lower Green Swamp

Distance from hotel: 40-minute drive. Located north of Plant City, this is the most rural, least developed option in this region. See Northern Bobwhites, nighthawks, fox squirrels, and more. It offers several loop options so walking distance can vary.

Lettuce Lake Park

Distance from hotel: 25-minute drive. Offers a lovely boardwalk loop along the river with a shady, flat walking surface about one mile in length. The observation tower overlooks the juncture of the lake and river, which when the river is low can have dozens of feeding Roseate Spoonbills, plus herons, egrets, and ibis. This is the location of two guided tours on Friday morning but consider visiting early and wandering other trails in the park.

Bahia Beach Nature Preserve

Distance from hotel: 30-minute drive. Located in Ruskin, winter ducks and shorebirds are possible in addition to other species. This offers a flat, sunny out-and-back trail a little over two miles in length.

Click here for a list of other birding hotspots in the region to explore on your own.

Friday, October 27 | Guided Tours

Host chapter Tampa Audubon assisted with this year’s field trips. An exciting boat tour in Tampa Bay aboard a 72-foot catamaran which, thanks to our host sponsor Publix, costs only $10 and includes breakfast, is SOLD OUT! Instead, explore Lettuce Lake Park via one of two guided tours. Guided tours are only available for Assembly event participants.

Please note the different start times and ADA access.

Please click the orange button to "reserve a spot" to see field trip details and make your selections.

Registrations are closed

2023 Audubon Assembly | Conservation in a Changing Landscape