The North Shore Birding Festival highlights the 20,000-acre Lake Apopka North Shore, a St. Johns River Water Management District lake restoration area in Central Florida that is the top eBird hotspot in Florida. Add Florida specialty species to your life list and see overwintering waterfowl and songbirds, through trips entering areas not open to the public led by amazing trip leaders.
The 8th annual festival hosts nearly 70 trips led by skilled local and out-of-town birding experts. Trips are based out of the McDonald Canal, CR 448A, Mount Dora, and allow driving into parts of the restoration area that are otherwise inaccessible except on foot or bicycle. Other trips and the keynotes are at beautiful Wekiwa Springs State Park, where Friday and Saturday night keynotes and afternoon and night activities are held. All levels of birders, nature photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the field trips and photo workshops. Trips include birding by ear, bicycle, kayak, drive your own, and Big Day van trips.
Trips cost $10 (Young Birder rate)–$80, (full day including box lunch), with no additional overall festival registration fee. All proceeds benefit Orange Audubon Society’s fund for a nature and environmental education center or related educational programs.
The proportion of trip leaders who are under 30 is very high (see bios on the Speakers and Leaders page of the website), and cllege students can register for many trips for half price up until November 5th. Visit our website, https://northshorebirdingfestival.com/, which includes maps and lodging suggestions, or contact Orange Audubon Society for more information at festival@orangeaudubonfl.org or 407-637-2525.