The 2022 PRAS Fundraiser Banquet has been canceled due to safety concerns with Covid.
The PRAS Board of Directors with regret, has decided to cancel the March 24, 2022 PRAS Fundraiser Banquet for the safety of our members with Covid cases increasing again.
We will continue our monthly general membership meetings with guest speakers using the zoom meeting method.
Please continue to visit the PRAS Facebook and Website for coming events and updates.
Thank you.
Our field trip was held on a very foggy morning, but attendance was good despite the fog. We saw 23 species as we walked along the trail around the marsh. One highlight was spotting an American Kestrel in the distance, but luckily we had some photographers present to help us with the identification. Although the water level was high this time of year, we did see some waterbirds like the Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, and White Ibis. It seemed like Gray Catbirds were everywhere! We saw several species of warblers; the Pine, Palm, Yellow-rumped, and even the Common Yellowthroat. It always is fun to see our PRAS members and meet new birders too. As the bridge on the trail has not been replaced yet we had to make this an “in and out” hike instead of a loop trail…but that left us more time for networking and socializing. Along the way we glimpsed a Ribbon Snake and an alligator. One BIG advantage of a foggy morning hike is that as the sun came out bit by bit…we saw the marsh turn a beautiful cinnamon color and all the wildflowers and berries showed a myriad of colors….
Phyllis Cady and Shannon McGinnis – Trip Leaders
Some photos from the trip are available on Facebook:
The annual New Year’s Day walkabout at Ollie’s Pond is on Saturday 1st of January 2022 and will start 8:00 AM.
Ollie’s Pond is a great spot for birding and walking. The Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are a special bird to be seen there. Usually some interesting waders and ducks are around. The palm, yellow rump and pine warblers with other song birds hang out in the trees. It is always fun to look for an unexpected feathery visitor. Last year the Great-horned owls nested there and the Great Blue Herons nested high on the Slash Pines.
The leisurely path around the pond is about a mile.
The parking lot for the park is at the corner of Avon and Gobron, near the corner of Edgewater and Collingwood. 18235 Avon Ave Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Hope to see you there, Dave Lancaster
For information call me at 586-214-4546.
