INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The First Annual Treasure Coast Birding festival will take place the weekend of Oct. 26 to 28, based out of the City of Vero Beach’s Bethel Creek House, 4405 A1A across from Jaycee Park.
The festival is a partnership between the Cultural Council of Indian River County and the Pelican Island Preservation Society, both nonprofit organizations.
Eighteen tours are planned throughout the Treasure Coast from TM Goodwin to a ranch in St. Lucie County. Three lectures, a juried bird & nature art show, a vendor show & a keynote speaker dinner featuring Bob Montanaro are also planned.
The public can attend the art & vendor show at no charge and may attend lectures at $5 each. Festival attendees will pay a registration fee plus an additional charge for each tour. See below for schedule of events, and visit www.cultural-council.org for details.
Registration is $50 per person ($45 for CCIRC & PIPS members) and includes all lectures and dinner Saturday night. Guests who are not registered may attend the dinner for $30.
For more information contact Debbie Avery at 772-770-4857 or Debbie@cultural-council.org.
Schedule of Events:
Friday Oct, 26
Noon Registration Opens at Bethel Creek House
3:30 p.m. Pelican Island Tour $47(limit 15) w/ELC by pontoon
5 p.m. Reception for artists & birders
6 p.m. Owl tour $25 7 p.m. Possible movie “Kestrel’s Eye”
Saturday Oct. 27
5:45 a.m. Building opens with PIPS breakfast & coffee bar
6:15 a.m. Blue Cypress Lake w/Kristen B $67
6:30 a.m. Sunrise at a salt marsh with a visit to Sebastian Inlet to observe seabirds and shorebirds. Lunch included in trip fee. w/Billi W. $36*
6:45 a.m. FL Scrub Jay w/Jane S. $25* /***
7 a.m. FL. Ranch Adventure tour BBQ w/Mark H. $65 **
7:15 a.m. County Utilities west regional reclamation plant wetlands w/Tim T. $25 **
7:30 a.m. Pelican Island $47(limit 15) *
7:45 a.m. BirdSurvey w/staff kayak $45 **
9 a.m. Vendor and Bird art show open to the public. Silent Auction also available for pre-bidding
10 a.m. Bird woodcarving w/Joe M ($25) he supplies the tools & wood Lectures: Free for Attendees, $5 per for non registrants
2 p.m. Dr. Gawlik “Wading Birds in Florida: Cream Skimmers and Crumb Pickers”.
3 p.m. Lucy Miller on The Nature Conservancy working for the lands and waters on which all birdlife depends
4 p.m. Bob Montanaro “Critters, Cows, and Cowboys: The Wildlife and Work at Treasure Hammock Ranch”.
5 p.m. Building closes (Move to the Elks)
6 p.m. Cocktails & silent auction opens at the Vero Beach Elks Lodge at 1350 26th ST.
7 p.m. Dinner ****
7:30 p.m. Silent Auction closes & Awards for Juried Art are given.
8 p.m. Keynote Speech, “Osprey” w/ Bob Montanaro
Sunday Oct. 28
5:30 a.m. Registration & PIPS breakfast bar opens
5:45 a.m. TM Goodwin w/Dee & David S. w/lunch $40 *
6:15 a.m. Treasure Hammock Ranch w/Sean S. $40 **
6:30 a.m. Kayak St. Sebastian River w/Kristen B. $45 *
6:45 a.m. Sunrise at a salt marsh with a visit to Sebastian Inlet to observe seabirds and shorebirds. Lunch included w/Billi W. $36*
7 a.m. FL. Scrub Jay w/Judy E. $25
7:15 a.m. County utilities west regional reclamation plant wetlands w/Tim T. $25 **
7:30 a.m. Butterfly Walk w/Suzanne V. $15*
8 a.m. Sebastian Inlet Pontoon boat w/Capt. Christy L. (limit 6) $50*/***
8:30 a.m. Kids Birding Free w/
3 p.m. Art Show closes, Festival is over for this year!
There may be new tours added, watch the website for updates of changes and additions. NO refunds after Oct. 12.