Birdwatchers are invited to explore the science and value of birds in Southwest Florida and beyond during the fourth annual Southwest Florida Birding Seminar on Friday, March 16, and Saturday, March 17. The event, organized by UF/IFAS Lee County Extension and Conservation 20/20, will be at Florida Gulf Coast University and include field trips to local bird hot spots. The seminar is designed for birders of all levels and interests. March 16 activities are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve bird-watching tour: Participants will join a guide for a sunrise tour along the elevated boardwalk at this popular wetland preserve in Fort Myers. San Carlos Bay – Bunche Beach Preserve bird-watching tour: Participants will join a Lee County Bird Patrol guide to explore the natural beach habitat at this Conservation 20/20 preserve, which is critical to the survival of many shorebird species. Photographing Birds instructional workshop at Harns Marsh in Lehigh Acres: Participants will learn beginners’ tips for photographing birds, including scouting for birds, anticipating behavior, and recommended camera angles to tell a unique story through images. March 17 activities are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Florida Gulf Coast University and include presentations from expert speakers about birds. Speakers and topics: Yve Morrell, Naples birder and 2017 North American Big Year winner: “My Big Year” Tyler Beck, Snail Kite Conservation Coordinator, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: “Snail Kites: A Real Florida Survival Story” Gina Kent, Research Ecologist & Coordinator, Avian Research & Conservation Institute: “Swallow-tailed Kites: A 10,000 Mile Journey” Dave McQuade & Tammy McQuade, SWFL Bird Alert: “Pelagic Birding in Southwest Florida” Adam DiNuovo, Shorebird Monitoring and Stewardship Project Manager, Audubon Florida: “Education, Monitoring & Nice Legs: The Recipe for Saving the Beach Birds of Florida” Charles Ewell, Lee County Bird Patrol Coordinator: “Bird Migration in Florida” Elizabeth White, University of Florida Ph.D. researcher: “Florida Burrowing Owls: What Do We Know and What Do We Need to Know to Conserve this Species” For more information, contact Jason Boeckman, Conservation 20/20 Coordinator, at [email protected], or 239-204-1125.