More than 50 exhibits for birding, wildlife, and nature enthusiasts create an exciting Expo Center. Destination tour companies, wildlife and birding organizations, nature-based businesses, authors, photographers, and painters showcase their talents to help you increase your fun. Examine and explore an outstanding array of camera and optic equipment. Swarovski Optik offers to clean and inspect your optics equipment (any brand) free of charge, so bring your binoculars and scopes to the Expo Center!

The Expo Center is open each afternoon so you can visit as soon as your field trip returns. Check the Bird Updates first for real-time information on the latest sightings!

Afternoon workshops and presentations are on site so you can easily pop in and out of the Expo Center before and after sessions to see what’s available and say hello to the festival sponsors.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, January 24, 2025

St. Sebastian River Preserve SP and Fellsmere Grade - 5:00 – 11:00 a.m.

This trip features some of the best birding sites in southern Brevard and Indian River Counties. With an early start at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park we’ll see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers emerge from their roost cavities, see Brown-headed Nuthatches, hopefully see and hear Bachman’s Sparrows singing. Learn about RCWO and BHNU relocation efforts and other management projects while seeing these very special birds. After we get our fill of pinewoods inhabitants, we will cross over to the Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area to see the nesting Roseate Spoonbills and other possible species.

Price: $95 includes a snack.

Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area - 6:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The Tosohatchee marshes are feeding areas for wading birds and, during winter months, host large numbers of migrating waterfowl. Forested uplands support deer, bobcats, gray foxes, wild turkeys, woodpeckers, hawks, owls, and songbirds. Some of the threatened and endangered species found at the reserve include Bald Eagle, Wood Stork, Eastern Indigo Snake, and Gopher Tortoise. Birds of interest include Bachman’s Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Florida Sandhill Crane. Shaped by alternating cycles of fire and flood, Tosohatchee WMA is a mosaic of marshes, swamps, pine flatwoods and oak hammocks that borders 19 miles of the St Johns River. Deep inside the reserve, Jim Creek flows through some of the last remaining virgin cypress swamps in Florida.

Price: $65 includes a snack sack. In addition, there is a $3 Entrance fee per car that you must pay on entering the park.

Manatees of Blue Spring and St. Johns River Cruise - 6:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

This special trip consists of a visit to Blue Spring State Park (BSSP). The morning will start with a walk along the shore of Blue Spring Run to observe Florida’s most charismatic megafauna, the West Indian Manatee, and bird the woodlands surrounding the spring run. What makes BSSP so unique and special is that during colder months its crystal-clear waters are one of Florida’s best places to watch the manatees. A box lunch will be provided on a river cruise onboard a U.S. Coast Guard approved pontoon boat that was specially designed to ply the shallow backwaters of this unique section of the historic St. Johns River. The captain is a licensed Coast Guard captain who knows the history of the area and the wildlife that abounds. It leaves from BSSP, passes through a historic cypress logging canal and into the Hontoon Dead River, where you will experience the wild and pristine Florida swamp as it has been over the centuries. Highlights from the trip in 2020 included more than a dozen Purple Gallinules, over two dozen Limpkins, more than three dozen Anhingas, both night herons and 5 species of woodpeckers.

Price: $120 includes a box lunch and snack.

Orlando Wetlands Park Trailer Tour – Friday - 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This regional water treatment area, owned by the City of Orlando, began receiving reclaimed water in 1987, submerging the 1700-acre Sun Charm Ranch beneath millions of gallons of treated sewage. For 30 years the City closed the park during winter months so that the former owners could hunt waterfowl, until 2016 when it bought the hunting rights. Join us as we take a trip into the park where more than 220 bird species have been identified including Wood Storks, Bald Eagles, Crested Caracaras, Limpkins, Purple Gallinules, rails and spoonbills. Painted Buntings lurk in some of the dense vegetation bordering the 20 miles of roads and woodland trails leading through marshes, hardwood hammocks and along scenic lakes. Large numbers of waterfowl and wading birds are expected. Other wildlife found here includes alligators, turtles, deer, hogs, bobcats, otters, raccoons, opossums, snakes and coyotes. There will be multiple stops with walking to spy the best birds.

Price: $90

Arrival Details: Meet at the Orlando Wetlands Park, 25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas.Estimated 39 minutes from the Radisson at the Port.

Learn Wildlife Photography at Gleason Park - 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.

This is a fantastic park located in Indian Harbor beach with a series of diverse environments which include Upland, ponds and a short walk to the Indian River which is key for Warblers (ie Redstarts, Thrushes, Merlins and Cooper’s Hawk, this is a perfect area to learn how to let birds come to you, how to optimize point and shoots, getting the right exposures and the use of tri and mono pods.

Note: To ensure that you get the most from this trip, the field trip leader will contact you at the email address that you used to register for the festival to discuss what type of camera you will be bringing and your current level of photography experience.

Price: $65

Arrival Details: Meet at 7:45 at Gleason Park, 1233 Yacht Club Blvd, Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937

Gulls and Other Waterbirds at Jetty Park - 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity to spend time in the field with gull expert Amar Ayyash. Lush vegetated dunes give way to a wide shoreline where all types of beach birds gather. Several species of gulls and terns, shorebirds and even wading birds feed in the surf. This natural habitat provides a pleasant backdrop to compare plumages and age classes of several gull species. We’ll look for gannets, loons and other occasional visitors such as a jaegers, especially if shrimp boats are out.

Price: $60

Florida Wildlife Hospital Photo Shoot - 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

This trip provides a great opportunity for photographers who want to work on their wildlife photography skills. Florida Wildlife Hospital has a spot on property where they can have their animal ambassadors perch and climb while participants take photos of the animals. You will be able to play with focal lengths, apertures, etc. with a bird that isn’t going to fly off or animal that won’t disappear into the brush.

This trip is not not suitable for young children as it is mostly staying in one spot while participants play with camera settings and take photos. Florida Wildlife Hospital will try to bring 4 animals out and give participant about 15 minutes with each animal.

Note that you will NOT be posing or coming into contact in any way with the animals. This is strictly a opportunity to practice your wildlife photography in a controlled environment.

Price: $ 25.00, a portion of which is donated back to the hospital.

Arrival Details: Arrive at 7:45 at Florida Wildlife Hospital, 4560 N. U.S. Highway 1, Palm Shores, FL 32935. Please park in the church parking lot just to the North of the hospital (look for the big red cross).

Turkey Creek Sanctuary - 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Join us for a walk through this 130 acre park. Over 30 species of warblers have been seen here, and there is also the opportunity to see manatees, alligators, Florida cooters as well as fish, otters, and other birds including ospreys, owls and hawks.

Price: $25

Arrival Details: Meet at 1518 Port Malabar Blvd NE, Palm Bay at 8:15.

Winter Waders, Warblers & Waterfowl at Sams House - 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Merritt Island is the wintering destination for numerous species of birds. From waders to warblers, the Sams House property offers birders a wide variety of habitats and bird species to be found. We will take a leisurely stroll around the property looking, and listening, for wintering songbirds like Warblers, Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, then take a brief hike to the mangroves and Indian River Lagoon looking for gulls, terns, pelicans, and waterfowl. Join us as we experience the birding, the beauty, and the biodiversity of the Sams House property. Following our morning birding adventure please enjoy a brief personal tour of the 1875 cabin and 1888 house.

Price: $25

Arrival Details: Meet at Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area, 6195 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL. Estimated 33 minutes from the Radisson at the Port.

Mullet Head Island Kayak Trip at MINWR – Friday Trip 1 - 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Join Rebecca Chapman from Springs to Sea Old Florida Eco Tours for a 2 hour kayak trip to the protected rookery known as Mullet Head Island (also known as “Bird Island”.) Paddle to an uninhabited island or through a maze of twisted mangrove forests in the Coastal Wildlife Kayak Tour. As you glide through the shallow lagoon of a wildlife refuge, keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins, gentle manatees, colorful flamingos, and a whole cast of slippery stingrays and wading birds. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the wildest coastal critters! Our stops along this tour may include Bird Island (wind-dependent), a mangrove forest, known manatee observation areas, or shallow flats teeming with rays, hermit crabs, and mullet!

Note: No children under 4 years old are allowed on this trip.

Price: $60.00

Arrival Details: Meet at 8:45 at the NW Haulover Canal Kayak Launch in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Florida Wildlife Hospital Tour - 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

For this tour, Florida Wildlife Hospital staff will walk you through the building and tell you about the history of the hospital and how our hospital is setup. You will walk past the outdoor pre-release enclosures so you can see more of the 5-acre property. Please note that you will NOT see wildlife on this tour – it is illegal for the hospital to exhibit the wildlife that is being rehabilitated. But you will get to see some behind the scenes and how the property is laid out and hear about how the wildlife hospital helps wildlife.

This tour is not appropriate for children.

Price: $ 25.00, a portion of which is donated back to the hospital.

Airboat birding along the St. Johns – Friday Trip 1 - 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

You will enjoy the exclusive combination of Captain Mike, a fifth generation Floridian who grew up here on the river, and a professional birding tour guide and other birders on this exclusive small personal tour. You will glide along marshes and into a secluded cypress swamp to view an abundance of wading birds, waterfowl and raptors on this special adventure. This is optimal habitat for Snail Kites, Crested Caracaras, and Bald Eagles. In fact, 25 Bald Eagles were observed on just one trip in 2020. The St Johns River floodplain is only accessible by airboat due to the shallow depth. Your guides will point out the habitats and ongoing activity of the many species that are found here. Other wildlife, including alligators, may be encountered. This is a great opportunity for birders who prefer to avoid strenuous walking or hiking. Airboat Tours are hosted by A St. Johns River Airboat Tours LLC in Titusville, FL

Price: $90

Arrival Details: Arrive by 9:45 a.m. at the Highway 50 Boat Ramp, 28500 East Colonial Drive, Christmas. Estimated 29 minutes from the Radisson at the Port.

Airboat Birding Along the St. Johns – Friday Trip 2 - 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. 

You will enjoy the exclusive combination of Captain Mike, a fifth generation Floridian who grew up here on the river, and a professional birding tour guide and other birders on this exclusive small personal tour. You will glide along marshes and into a secluded cypress swamp to view an abundance of wading birds, waterfowl and raptors on this special adventure. This is optimal habitat for Snail Kites, Crested Caracaras, and Bald Eagles. In fact, 25 Bald Eagles were observed on just one trip in 2020. The St Johns River floodplain is only accessible by airboat due to the shallow depth. Your guides will point out the habitats and ongoing activity of the many species that are found here. Other wildlife, including alligators, may be encountered. This is a great opportunity for birders who prefer to avoid strenuous walking or hiking. Airboat Tours are hosted by A St. Johns River Airboat Tours LLC in Titusville, FL

Price: $90

Arrival Details: Arrive by 11:45 a.m. at the Highway 50 Boat Ramp, 28500 East Colonial Drive, Christmas. Estimated 29 minutes from the Radisson at the Port.

Mullet Head Island Kayak Trip at MINWR – Friday Trip 2 - 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Join Rebecca Chapman from Springs to Sea Old Florida Eco Tours for a 2 hour kayak trip to the protected rookery known as Mullet Head Island (also known as “Bird Island”.) Paddle to an uninhabited island or through a maze of twisted mangrove forests in the Coastal Wildlife Kayak Tour. As you glide through the shallow lagoon of a wildlife refuge, keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins, gentle manatees, colorful flamingos, and a whole cast of slippery stingrays and wading birds. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the wildest coastal critters! Our stops along this tour may include Bird Island (wind-dependent), a mangrove forest, known manatee observation areas, or shallow flats teeming with rays, hermit crabs, and mullet!

Note: No children under 4 years old are allowed on this trip.

Price: $60.00

Arrival Details: Arrive at 12:45 p.m. at Kelly Park East, 2550 N. Banana River Drive, Merritt Island. Estimated 7 minutes from the Radisson at the Port.

Blue Dolphin Ultimate Boat Birding and Wildlife Journey – Friday - 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Blue Dolphin is a 49-passenger Coast Guard approved pontoon boat operated by Mark and Michele Anderson. This four-hour adventure will start at Kelly Park East, which is just 6 minutes from the Radisson Resort. We will cross the Banana River, pass through the Canaveral Locks and into Port Canaveral where you may see the Space X fleet of rocket recovery ships and plenty of birds! In addition, you are likely to see dolphins. A flock of American White Pelicans is normally seen at the entrance to the locks and during the cruise you will see Ospreys and other raptors, Wood Storks, Northern Gannets, pelicans, cormorants, gulls, terns and lots of egrets and herons. Past trips have produced such uncommon visitors as Common Eider, Magnificent Frigatebird Sabine’s Gull and Common Loon. We are looking forward to seeing you aboard the Blue Dolphin.

Price: $100 includes snack, water and boxed lunch.

Airboat Birding Along the St. Johns – Friday Trip 3 - 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

You will enjoy the exclusive combination of Captain Mike, a fifth generation Floridian who grew up here on the river, and a professional birding tour guide and other birders on this exclusive small personal tour. You will glide along marshes and into a secluded cypress swamp to view an abundance of wading birds, waterfowl and raptors on this special adventure. This is optimal habitat for Snail Kites, Crested Caracaras, and Bald Eagles. In fact, 25 Bald Eagles were observed on just one trip in 2020. The St Johns River floodplain is only accessible by airboat due to the shallow depth. Your guides will point out the habitats and ongoing activity of the many species that are found here. Other wildlife, including alligators, may be encountered. This is a great opportunity for birders who prefer to avoid strenuous walking or hiking. Airboat Tours are hosted by A St. Johns River Airboat Tours LLC in Titusville, FL

Price: $90

Arrival Details: Arrive by 1:45 p.m. at the Highway 50 Boat Ramp, 28500 East Colonial Drive, Christmas. Estimated 29 minutes from the Radisson at the Port.

Mullet Head Island Kayak Trip at MINWR – Friday Trip 3 - 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Join Rebecca Chapman from Springs to Sea Old Florida Eco Tours for a 2 hour kayak trip to the protected rookery known as Mullet Head Island (also known as “Bird Island”.) Paddle to an uninhabited island or through a maze of twisted mangrove forests in the Coastal Wildlife Kayak Tour. As you glide through the shallow lagoon of a wildlife refuge, keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins, gentle manatees, colorful flamingos, and a whole cast of slippery stingrays and wading birds. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the wildest coastal critters! Our stops along this tour may include Bird Island (wind-dependent), a mangrove forest, known manatee observation areas, or shallow flats teeming with rays, hermit crabs, and mullet!

Note: No children under 4 years old are allowed on this trip.

Price: $60.00

Owls and Rails of MINWR - 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Join Mitchell, Tom and Renee for an evening out in search of the denizens of the dark at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. We’ll search the marshes and hammocks for Great Horned, Screech, Barred and possibly Short-eared Owl. Before we begin our search for owls, we will spend some time along the marshes of Peacock’s Pocket a small bay-like feature of the Indian River Lagoon near where it joins with Banana Creek listening for rails. In the past we’ve had good luck with King, Clapper, Virginia and Black Rail in these marshes. So, if you are interested in nocturnal birds, just bring your sense of curiosity and a flashlight or two.

Price: $65

Arrival Details: Meet Up at the Parrish Park Boat Ramp Parking Lot — 1 A. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville on the north side of the parking lot by the picnic pavilions. Estimated 33 minutes from the Radisson at the Port.

Date: January 22 - 26, 2025