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Beautiful Birds of Central Florida

Program Number: 7485RJ
Start and End Dates:
3/10/2013 - 3/15/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Paisley, Florida
Price starting at: $736.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Birding
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Led by experts, learn or refine your birding techniques by observing migrant and resident birds in prime birding areas of central Florida: Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge and the Ocala National Forest. Observe rare, endangered, and special birds such as the Florida Scrub Jay, Limpkin, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Purple Gallinule, Piping Plover, Wood Stork, and Sandhill Crane.




Highlights

• Explore marshes to look for ibis, herons and egrets, and the Atlantic seashore for sea and shorebirds.
• Ride down the St. Johns River to look for bitterns, osprey and anhingas.
• By special invitation, visit Lake Apopka Restoration Area for wading birds, waterfowl, bald eagles and other raptors.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles a day. Sitting or standing on varied terrain.



Parking for self-contained RV's on site in private campground. Full hookups; shady to open parking sites. Convenient showers and bathrooms.



Coordinated by Stetson University.




Paisley

With a population of around 700, Paisley is in Lake County, whose orange groves, striking beauty and more than 1,000 lakes have lured visitors since it was settled in the 1840s. The town borders the Ocala National Forest, where mild winters accommodate year-round camping, and the cool waters of its many springs are perfect for summertime swimming.
Accommodations
Rustic retreat/conference center with private bathrooms in wooded setting on Lake Deerhaven.
Meals and Lodgings
   Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
  Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center 6 nights
 Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Type: Conference Center
  Description: Rustic, retreat-style housing surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ocala National Forest and situated on Lake Deerhaven.
  Contact info: 47924 NFS 540-2
Paisley, FL 32767 USA
phone: 352-669-3791
web: www.cofchristfmc.org/deerhavencampground/welcome.html
  Room amenities: There are not televisions or phones in the rooms.
  Facility amenities: Electricity / Air Conditioning; In-Room, Private Bathroom; walkways from rooms to dining hall and classrooms.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior:  This is a camp and retreat center, and they rent the facility to other groups.
  Check in time: 3:30 PM
  Additional nights after:  This is a camp and retreat center, and they rent the facility to other groups.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:30 PM You will be staying at Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center that night.
  End of Program:
After breakfast Friday You will be staying at Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Completed "US Programs Health & Safety Form" and "Assumption of Risk Agreement & Liability Release Form. All must be returned to program coordinator no later than two weeks prior to start of program.
  Parking availability:
Parking on the grounds is free and participants have access to their vehicles throughout the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
  Nearest city or town:  Paisley
  Nearest highway: Interstate-4
  Nearest airport:  Sanford
  From End of Program
  Location: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Deerhaven Conference Ctr., Paisley

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
DeLand Taxi
phone: 386-734-8484

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Prices vary
Prices are subject to change.
   

Use DeLand Taxi in conjuction with DOTS Transportation.
 

Deerhaven Conference Ctr., Paisley

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
DOTS Transportation
phone: 800-231-1965
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Prices vary depending on the airport you choose
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1-2 hours (depends on the airport you choose) 
 

Distance:

 

35-70 miles (depends on airport you choose)
   

www.dots-daytonabeach.com The closest airports are Daytona Beach Int'l (DAB), Sanford Int'l (SFB), and Orlando Int'l (MCO). DOTS will drop you off at the DeLand Howard Johnson Terminal (2801 E. New York Ave., DeLand) and from there you will need to arrange with DeLand Taxi to take you to the Deerhaven Conference Center. Dots - $35.00, DeLand Taxi - $32.50 All prices are subject to change without notice. You are responsible for all travel arrangements.
 
Driving Directions
  I-95, I-4 Northbound I-95: Take exit 249 onto SR-44 toward DeLand. Follow directions as listed for I-4. East or Westbound I-4: Take exit 118 onto SR-44 toward DeLand. Follow SR-44 W/E. New York Ave. 10.6 miles. Turn right at County Rd. 42. Drive 5.1 miles and turn right at Deer Haven Rd./Nfs 540/Nfs 540-1. After 2.1 miles the road will bend to the left at Nfs 540 2. Continue for 0.3 miles. The retreat will be on the left.
Equipment Requirements: Binoculars, telescopes (optional), birding handbooks
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Orientation and introduction to birding.
(Sunday, March 10)
   
 Afternoon: Welcome to Deerhaven for registration and check-in at Deerhaven Road Scholar Office from 3:30-5:00 PM. Signs will guide you to the Road Scholar Office building. Orientation packets and name tags will be given to each participant upon arrival. Rooms are available for check-in after 3:30 PM.
 Dinner: Dinner will be served in the dining hall area of the Main Building around 6:00 PM.
 Evening: Information and schedules in the orientation packets will be discussed and all the participants will be asked to share in a "get acquainted" activity to get to know each other a little better.
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Birding at Lake Apopka Restoration Area, Trimble Park. Evening birding presentation by Ocala National Forest Night "Owl prowl".
(Monday, March 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served in dining hall area of Main Building.
 Morning: Visit to Lake Apopka Restoration area to observe birds.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch at Trimble Park.
 Afternoon: Observe birds, hike trails, and stroll on the boardwalk at Trimble Park.
 Dinner: Dinner served in dining hall area of Main Building
 Evening: Evening presentation by the Ocala National Forest Service. Briefing for tomorrow's excursion by instructor (field marks and behavior of birds in the Florida Wetlands). Night "Owl Prowl".
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Birding in the Deerhaven area of the Ocala National Forest. Evening movie focused on birding.
(Tuesday, March 12)
   
 Breakfast: Served in the dining area of the Main Building.
 Morning: Birding in Deerhaven.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch at Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center.
 Afternoon: Birding in the Deerhaven area of the Ocala National Forest.
 Dinner: Served in dining area of Main Building
 Evening: Briefing for tomorrow's excursion (field marks and behavior of birds of the ocean, beaches, inlets and rocky jetties) DVD focused on birds.
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Trip to Atlantic Ocean Seashore (Smyrna Dunes Park, Ponce Inlet) to observe coastal bird species. Evening presentation by wildlife biologist focused on Florida Scrub Jay.
(Wednesday, March 13)
   
 Breakfast: Served in dining area of Main Building
 Morning: Picnic lunches before leaving on day trip. Day trip to Atlantic Ocean (Smyrna Dunes Beach - Ponce Inlet) to observe coastal bird species.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch at covered pavilion at Smyrna Dunes Beach.
 Afternoon: Continue observing birds at the ocean.
 Dinner: Served in the dining area of the Main Building
 Evening: Evening presentation focused on the Florida Scrub Jay by a forest service wildlife biologist. Briefing for tomorrow's excursion (field marks and behavior of birds of the St. John's River, river swamp, and Lake Woodruff area).
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Birding at Lake Woodruff. National Wildlife Refuge. Lunch at Ed Stone Park on St. John's River. River Cruise to observe wildlife on St. John's River. Visit local citrus grove. Musical entertainment by singer/songwriter/guitarist Bob "Stormcrow" Sanders.
(Thursday, March 14)
   
 Breakfast: Served in dining area of Main Building
 Morning: Birding at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch at Ed Stone Park on the St. John's River.
 Afternoon: River Boating excursion to observe birds and wildlife on the St. John's River. Visit local historical citrus grove.
 Dinner: Served in the dining area of the Main Building.
 Evening: Briefing for tomorrow morning's woodpecker hunt. Musical entertainment by singer/songwriter/guitarist Bob "Storncrow" Sanders.
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Breakfast and farewell
(Friday, March 15)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Graduation and farewell.
   
Accommodations: Deerhaven Retreat and Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

What’s included in this Road Scholar program?



Except for the occasional meal on some programs, Road Scholar programs are all-inclusive. That means there are no extra “options,” no passing the hat for tips and no surprises. From lectures and field trips to gratuities and accommodations – the price you pay up front is the price you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:


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