CALOOSA BIRD CLUB FIELD TRIP    

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

SUNDAY/MONDAY, JANUARY 6 & 7, 2008

In addition to a full day of birding in Everglades National Park and Lucky Hammock, participants on this two-night Everglades field trip will visit the Kirby Storter Boardwalk, look for Snail Kites along Tamiami Trail, drive the road leading to the Chekika area of Everglades National Park, and bird the Cutler Wetlands.  Our base for the trip will be the Comfort Inn in Florida City.  Those wishing to bird and caravan to Florida City will meet at 1:00PM Sunday in the Kirby Storter Boardwalk off of US 41 in the Big Cypress Basin National Preserve (map).  Those driving independently will meet the group at the Comfort Inn (map)  at 6:00PM. 

Participants should first call a trip leader to sign up for the trip, and then call the Comfort Inn, (305) 248-4009, to reserve one of the rooms that have been reserved for the Caloosa Bird Club at the special group rate of $79.99.

Websites of interest:  www.tropicalaudubon.org   and  www.nps.gov/ever

This two-night trip is limited to 30 people.  We will carpool after gathering at the hotel so we will limit the number of cars to 10.  A list of participants will be sent out prior to the trip.  Those with National Parks passes will want to bring them for entry to the park, otherwise the entry fee per vehicle is $10.00.  Meet at 1:00PM in the parking lot of the Kirby Storter Boardwalk off US 41 in Big Cypress Basin National Preserve on Sunday, January 6 if you wish to bird with the group as we make our way to Florida City.  Alternatively, meet for happy hour at 6:00PM in Pat & Ruth's room at the hotel.  BYOB and an appetizer to share.  Dinner will follow at a local restaurant.     

Contact:  To sign up, call or email a trip leader prior to calling the hotel and you will be given the group's confirmation number for the hotel.

          P. Gladstone

          R. Woodall 

 Reservations: Comfort Inn in Florida City (305) 248-4009  ask for Suni.

          15 rooms have been reserved for the Caloosa Bird Club.  Members should call the motel on their own to make arrangements, mentioning the Caloosa Bird Club.  The special group price for a two-person room is $79.99.  Continental breakfast (6:30-9:30AM) is included in the price and every room has a microwave and small          refrigerator.  All reserved rooms are lower-level, non-smoking rooms. Reservations should be made by Dec. 21 (Pat's policy) and there will be no cancellations after Dec 30th (the hotel's policy).

Directions to the Comfort Inn:  Hotel is on US 1(Dixie Hwy) or 333 SE 1st Ave, Florida City 33034, 0.8 miles south of the Florida Turnpike terminus.

          From Naples, take US 41 (Tamiami Trail) through Big Cypress Bend and the Everglades to SR 997(Krome Rd). Turn right and head south through Homestead to SR 9336 (Palm Drive).  Turn left and head east a block to US 41.  The hotel should be in sight. It's a clay-colored building with a cane field behind it.