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:

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Lake Apopka North Shore - 5:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This property is one of the premier locations in the southeastern United States to observe birds. The list of birds found here continues to grow, with over 370 species having been recorded. During the winter months, more than 150 species regularly use the property, from showy herons and egrets to ducks and shorebirds and numerous tiny warblers and flycatchers. Other wildlife found here includes alligators, turtles, bobcats, otters, raccoons, snakes and coyotes. Former farmlands make up the Lake Apopka North Shore restoration area. The St. Johns River Water Management District’s major activities include marsh and floodplain restoration and the creation of a marsh flow-way. Circulating lake water through restored wetlands filters Lake Apopka’s waters. If the weather allows, attendees will tour in the District’s bench trailer, starting with the dawn chorus at the most optimum spot and continuing on the wildlife drive, which will be closed to the public.

Price: $135 Includes lunch and snacks.

Shiloh’s Sharptails, Marshbirds and More - 6:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

This trip begins in the marshes where Turnbull Creek drains into the northern end of the Indian River Lagoon. There we will look for both Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrows, Sedge Wrens and Clapper Rails. Short-eared Owls are seen here occasionally as well. After ample time in the marsh we’ll walk east along the dike system that skirts the edge of Shiloh’s extensive marshes and impoundments looking for ducks, shorebirds and waders. This is an area of rich estuaries and ponds that teem with wildlife.

Price: $65

Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area Trailer Tour - 6:45 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

Salt Lake WMA’s 8,000 acres border three large lakes and the St. Johns River in northern Brevard County. Don’t miss this chance to explore it in a bench seat trailer. Home to a spectacular range of natural communities, this beautiful property includes pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks and oak scrub on higher ground. Oak and cabbage palm hammocks, swamps, freshwater marshes, wet prairies, and salt flats occupy the wetter locales. Numerous wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors can be found on the lakes and marshes and the river. Bald Eagles and Wild Turkeys are commonly seen. The flatwoods provide good habitat for woodpeckers and songbirds, such as the Eastern Bluebird and Bachman’s Sparrow. Gopher tortoises, deer, feral hogs, river otters, alligators and turtles may also be seen. This extraordinary opportunity to be able to ride through the management area rather than walk it, as well as the reasonable cost, is a benefit of the Watchable Wildlife Public Access Program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Price: $30

Birding Rotary Park - 7:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Explore this beautiful park with naturalist, educator, and birder Kate Wells. Our bird walk will begin on the front porch of Rotary Park Nature Center, which is located in the center of the park, directly across from the large pavilion. There are binoculars and bird books available to borrow upon request.

We will be looking and listening for winter songbirds such as warblers, sparrows, and buntings, as well as year-round birds such as woodpeckers, gnatcatchers, cardinals, and jays. Red-shouldered Hawks and Osprey will almost certainly be in attendance; with some luck, we may even encounter Sandhill Cranes. As the park is surrounded by the Indian River Lagoon, frequent flyovers include pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants, and anhinga.

Price: $20

Learn Wildlife Photography at Black Point Wildlife Drive - 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Situated within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Black Point Wildlife Drive is a 7-mile scenic route that offers exceptional bird photography opportunities. This drive features a variety of habitats, including salt marshes and mudflats, attracting numerous bird species such as roseate spoonbills, egrets, and herons. This class will focus on the use of blinds, selecting of lenses, protecting your gear in salt air conditions, and having the birds come to you.

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

Florida Scrub Jay Hike at Cruickshank Sanctuary - 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

The Helen and Alan Cruickshank Sanctuary in Rockledge is considered to be one of the best EEL Sanctuary properties to observe Florida Scrub-Jays, a threatened species that is Florida’s only endemic bird. When the environment meets their needs, Florida Scrub-Jays will spend their entire lives on the same lands. The Cruickshank Sanctuary is located on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, a sandy relic maritime dune line that extends along the Florida East Coast from Jacksonville down to Miami. Patches of oak, sand pine scrub, and freshwater depression marshes add to the Sanctuary’s diversity. Since the EEL Program began land management at the 168-acre Sanctuary, the Florida Scrub-Jay population has increased from a few visiting birds to over 50 birds in 8 separate family territories. Gopher Tortoises, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and other species requiring scrub habitat are often observed in the Sanctuary. 

Price: $30

Chain of Lakes Park - 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This recreation complex includes many habitats such as artificial lakes and wetlands (salt marsh and mangroves), hardwood and sabal palm hammocks. Species seen here include Eagles, Hawks, Wood Storks, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Mottled Ducks, gulls and terns. And, if you walk through the hammock, you might even catch get a look at Painted Buntings! There is also a 5-story observation deck.

Price: $25

Easy Bird & Wildlife Photography with Sony Mirrorless Cameras at Orlando Wetlands – Thursday - 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Bird and wildlife photography will never be easy but we don’t have to make it any harder than it is.There is no need to shoot in manual and RAW. If you learn how your camera works and trust it for focus and exposure, it will leave you free to find and frame the birds and wildlife you want to photograph. Using the newer Sony mirrorless cameras  as an example, I will show you how to bring back consistently satisfying images of birds and wildlife.

Price: $65

Mullet Head Island Kayak Trip at MINWR – Thursday 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

Barrier Island Center and Pelican Island Cruise - 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

This trip begins with a personal tour of the Barrier Island Education Center (BIEC) and a video followed by scoping for shorebirds and sea birds at the boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. The BIEC is located inside the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) on South Melbourne Beach. Continuing the bus ride to Sebastian, you will arrive at Capt. Hiram’s Resort for a late lunch and a boat tour to Pelican Island (our first National Wildlife Refuge) on the River King, a 45-foot USCG approved pontoon boat. 16 species nest on the 4.2-acre Pelican Island, including Brown Pelican, Wood Stork, Anhinga, American Oystercatcher, and many herons and egrets. On the water look for American White Pelican, Lesser Scaup, Mottled Duck, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser and many gulls and terns. Bottle-nosed dolphins are probable and sea turtles are possible.

Price: $135. Includes snacks. In addition, you should bring money for a 2:00 p.m. lunch at Blackfin’s Riverfront Grill at Capt. Hiram’s Resort.

Airboat birding along the St. Johns – Thursday – 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

Airboat Birding Along the St. Johns – Thursday – 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

Mullet Head Island Kayak Trip at MINWR – Thursday 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

Blue Dolphin Ultimate Boat Birding and Wildlife Journey – Thursday - 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 & light lunch from Fishlips Waterfront Bar and Grill.

Airboat Birding Along the St. Johns – Thursday – 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

Mullet Head Island Kayak Trip at MINWR – Thursday 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

Marsh Birding at the St. Johns NWR – Thursday - 4:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

A caravan of USFWS trucks will carry attendees into the St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge which is a restricted access property. This preserve was the last home of the now-extinct Dusky Seaside Sparrow. These marshes west of Titusville are unique because saline water seeps to the surface from a layer of salty water that lies above the Floridan Aquifer, creating marine-type habitats in the middle of a huge freshwater floodplain – perfect for secretive marsh birds. The Black Rail is one of the most elusive wetland birds and is on the state and federal endangered and threatened species lists. King Rails and Virginia Rails are also possible. As the sun sets on the marsh horizon and wading birds flock to their roosts, we will make stops and listen for elusive rail calls.

Price: $65 Includes a snack.

Date: January 22 - 26, 2025