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• Friday Sunset Rookery Walk

  • When
    Friday, April 10, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 7:45 PM
  • Location
    Venice Audubon Rookery Park, 4006 S. Tamiami Tr., Venice, FL 34293

  Register

  Join us for an approximately 45 minute, docent-led sunset walk around the Rookery Pond.  Gather at the Rookery Park pavilion to meet your walk leader, then head to the pond and the short, trail/path walk (approximately 1/3 mile) around the pond while learning about the natural history of the bird species on the Rookery island and in the park.

  The walk will feature nesting Great blue heron, Double-crested cormorant, Anhinga, White ibis and more as the breeding season proceeds into the spring.   Little blue heron, Glossy ibis, Green heron, Purple martins and other birds are also seen around the pond and park throughout the spring season.   

  Alligators patrol the pond surrounding the Rookery island. The walk ends in time to for you to watch the park's resident bats leave their bat houses near the pond to begin their nightly feeding.

  Dress for the weather including a light jacket on cool evenings, bug spray, and water, if needed.  Binoculars will enhance your viewing experience.  Limited binoculars are available for loan.  

  Registration is not required.  

  
  

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• Pinecraft Park Field Trip

  • When
    Saturday, April 11, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    1420 Gilbert Ave, Sarasota

  Register

  Barred owls, woodpeckers, warblers, vireos, thrushes and more in a wooded urban oasis, one of the area’s hotter “hotspots.”The area is small, but some walking may be difficult over up and down irregular paths. About 1.5 to 2 miles walking .

  Park in the main lot; water and restrooms available.  Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot. 

  Host:  Bill Fairbank: wgfairbank@gmail.com

  Registration is appreciated but not required.

  
  

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• Volunteer Saturday

  • When
    Saturday, April 11, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Venice Audubon Center, 4002 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice

  Register

  This month's Volunteer Saturday is scheduled from 9:00-11:00 AM.  Whether you can volunteer just once or on a regular basis, please join us!  Youth volunteers under age 18 are welcome with an adult.   For minors wishing to earn volunteer hours (school, scout, etc.), please email in advance.  

  Gardening and outdoor projects will be a priority, weather permitting.  Indoor projects include preparing the Center  for upcoming events and activities.  We suggest you bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, and sturdy shoes.

  Contact email info@veniceaudubon.org if you need more information.

  Registration is appreciated to help us prepare our projects and update volunteers about changes due to weather, but is not required.

  
  

  
  

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• Mondays @ 10 - Book Club: Feather Trails

  • When
    Monday, April 13, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Venice Audubon Center, 4002 S. Tamiami Tr., Venice, FL
  • Spaces left
    45

  Register

  Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds by Sophie A.H. Osborn recounts the author's work to save three species of special concern - Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Crow, and California Condor.  Readers will learn about the unique personalities and requirements each these species needs in order to restore them to their native habitats amid the challenges of habitat loss, human impacts, and invasive species.  

  Discussion Leader:  Jean Pichler

  All are welcome - members of the public as well as Venice Audubon Members.

  Registration is strongly encouraged.  Limited walk-in seating will be available.

  
  

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• Book Club Zoom Discussion: Feather Tails

  • When
    Wednesday, April 15, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    Online (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

  Register

  Join the Zoom online Book Club discussion on the 2nd Monday of the month.  

  Read the book if you can, but please feel free to join the Book Club discussion this  month even if you haven't had time or opportunity to do so.

  Feather Trails: A Journey of Discovery Among Endangered Birds by Sophie A.H. Osborn recounts the author's work to save three species of special concern - Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Crow, and California Condor.  Readers will learn about the unique personalities and requirements each these species needs in order to restore them to their native habitats amid the challenges of habitat loss, human impacts, and invasive species.  

  Discussion leader:  Jean Pichler

  NOTE:  This is an online Zoom discussion.  

  Registration required to receive the Zoom link.

  
  

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• Caspersen Beach Stroll Field Trip

  • When
    Saturday, April 18, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    1900 S. Harbor Drive Venice, FL

  Register

  We will make a leisurely walk south along the beach from South Brohard beach toward Caspersen beach.  Along the way we will look for birds, shells, and sharks teeth. About 2 miles walking along the beach.

  Bring binoculars, water, hat, walking shoes, and sunscreen. 

  Meeting Location:

  We will meet at South Brohard Park at 8:00.

  
  

  Host:  Bill Fairbank: wgfairbank@gmail.com

  Registration is appreciated but not required.

  
  

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• Monthly Program: The Importance of Bats & Annual Meeting

  • When
    Tuesday, April 21, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Venice United Church of Christ, Naar Hall, 620 Shamrock Rd., Venice

  Register

  In addition to tonight's annual membership meeting agenda, Dr. Katherine Clements of UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County will offer a presentation on Sarasota County's most common bat species, including those at the Rookery Park.  Love them?  Fear them?  Wonder about them?  Bats are fascinating flying mammals and an important species in our ecosystem.

  6:00   Ice cream social

  6:30   Chapter business and announcements

  7:00   Program

  Registration is appreciated but not required.

  
  

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• Fort De Soto Park Field Trip

  • When
    Wednesday, April 22, 2026
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, Florida 33715

  Register

  Fort Desoto is a hotspot for migrating birds coming back from Central and South America in late spring. Scarlet Tanagers, Orchard Oriels, humming birds, warblers, and many other migrating birds can be seen when condition are favorable.  Also shore birds can be seen along the Ft Desoto beaches.  Several short walks will be made along the beach or along sandy trails. Total walking will be less than 2 miles.
  

  Meeting Location:

  To arrive at the meeting point when you reach the park - turn right at the big US flag by the park headquarters. Drive about 1 mile to the Egmont Key Ferry parking area. Meet at the opposite end of the parking from the dog park. There is a $6 per car parking fee for Ft. Desoto park.  Payment can be made at pay-stations, or by pay-by-text, or other options. Estimated return time to Venice is 4 PM. Bring a bag lunch, water, sunscreen, hat and your binoculars with you.

  
  

  If you can carry one or two extra passengers that are unable to drive to Ft. Desoto, please contact Bill Fairbank,  wgfairbank@gmail.com.

  Registration for this field trip is highly suggested since this is an out of town trip. 

  Host:  Bill Fairbank: wgfairbank@gmail.com

  Participants will be required to sign a waiver before beginning the field trip.

  
  

  
  

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