Florida Young Birders Club: Guided Bird Walk at North Lido Beach

Florida Young Birders Club Guided Bird Walk at North Lido Beach (see directions for meeting place below)

Come join us for a fun morning of birdwatching at North Lido Beach Park and Woods! The Florida Young Birders Club (FYBC) is hosting a guided bird walk where you can spot local and migratory bird species with other kids and teens who are just as excited about birds as you are. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting out, this event is perfect for all skill levels.

Meet at 8:00am at the North Lido Beach Access Boardwalk, which is at the rounded corner of John Ringling Blvd and Ben Franklin Dr, 2-3 blocks seaward of St Armands Circle. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the boardwalk. We will walk a clockwise loop beginning on North Lido Beach where we will look for sea- and shorebirds. When we reach the north end of North Lido Beach, we’ll turn right into the “woods" where we’ll look for spring migrants and check on the status of the active Bald Eagle nest. The length of the walk is about two miles, most of it on sand. There are no restrooms.

This bird walk will be guided by experienced guides Stu Wilson and Cathy Paris.

Stu Wilson has been a serious birder for 25 years and a Sarasota Audubon Society member nearly as long. His SAS duties have included leading field trips (like this one), performing shorebird and other surveys, and staffing the boardwalks as part of the Celery Fields Bird Naturalist Program. Stu compiled the Sarasota Christmas Bird Count for 10 years (2013-2023).

Cathy Paris has been a birder for about eight years and also volunteers on the boardwalks at Celery Fields. She has developed an especially keen eye. Cathy and Stu have enjoyed birding trips to many far-off destinations including Brazil, Bhutan, Hungary, Costa Rica, Australia, Bolivia, and, just recently, Antarctica.

Don't forget your binoculars and cameras to capture the beautiful birds in their natural habitat. See you there!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

North Lido Beach Park, 159 Emerson Drive, Sarasota, United States