Highlands Audubon

05/21/2026

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Park Manager, Josh Herman. We are delighted to have him join the team and are excited to see how his leadership will help shape the future of Highlands Hammock State Park.

Josh Herman is a dedicated Parks and Recreation professional with more than 24 years of experience in visitor services, park interpretation, and resource management. Raised on Florida’s “Space Coast,” he developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a deep appreciation for the state’s natural landscapes.

After completing his service commitment with the U.S. Army, Joshua began his career with the Florida Park Service in 2001 as a full-time Park Ranger at Lake Kissimmee State Park. He was later promoted to Park Service Specialist and Assistant Park Manager at the same park, where he strengthened his leadership and operational expertise.

Joshua went on to serve as Assistant Park Manager at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park before becoming Park Manager at Lake Manatee State Park.

Now, as Manager of Highlands Hammock State Park, Joshua is honored to lead the park’s team in protecting and preserving Florida’s natural and cultural treasures for the enjoyment of current and future generations of residents and visitors alike.

In his free time, he enjoys camping, fishing, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

04/24/2026

This clip is true. Kudos to Visit Sebring for highlighting Highlands County Audubon and our own Brenda Fishbaugh by using her amazing photos.

04/15/2026

Come and join us and bring a friend.

04/10/2026

The Cape May Warbler was our bird of the day. When I awoke to rain hitting my metal roof, I thought about calling everyone and cancelling this trip to Lake June In Winter State Park. I took a quick look at the radar and decided that we could probably bird the park until 11:00, so I packed up and met ten other folks who decided to chance it too. We do need rain to end our extended drought, and if it comes from the tropics, increase the numbers in our spring migration. What a wonderful surprise to see 30+ species in just over 2 hours. Of course, one of my favorite birds, the Red-headed Woodpecker, was the start of a successful morning of birding. The Prickly pear cactus was in full bloom. I know it isn't a bird, but it sure showed off its beauty. Thank you to Eli Toulouse for the Cape May Warbler photos, and thank you, Peter Lewia, for the RH Woodpecker photos along with the eBird list.

03/27/2026

Three of us headed over to Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Green Cay on Thursday, March 26. We had perfect weather, a ton of wood storks and many other birds nesting close to us! Both locations had a lot of water, which was great for our bird friends!

More pix coming! We had Painted Buntings and loads of Purple Gallinules and even Wood Ducks! I've included a pic of our lucky find of two Wilson's Snipes!

Dorothy Harris kept our bird list--
Wakodahatchee / Green Cay
3/26/2026
Brenda/Steve Fishbaugh, Dorothy Harris
57 species in total
In transit to Wakodahatchee (in dark until near arrival at 8:03 a.m.)
1. House sparrow
2. E. Starling
3. Sandhill crane
4. White Ibis
5. Wood Stork
6. Mottled ducks
7. Mourning dove
8. Common Grackle
9. Am. Crow
10. Cattle Egret
11. Blue Jay
12. N. Mockingbird
13. Common Gallinule
14. Am. Kestrel
15. Limpkin
16. Monk Parakeets -16 species in travel
WAKODAHATCHEE (19 Additional new species added)
17. Purple Martin
18. Collared dove
19. Whistling duck
20. Glossy ibis
21. Great Egret
22. Rock Dove
23. Tree swallow
24. Cormorant
25. Blue Wing Teal
26. Black Vulture
27. Palm Warbler
28. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
29. Least Bittern
30. Red-winged Blackbird
31. Turkey Vulture
32. Gray-headed Swamp Hen
33. Belted King Fisher
34. Wilson’s Snipes
35. Common Yellow Throat
36. Anhinga

36. Tricolor Heron
GREEN CAY (18 Additional new species added)
37. Boat-tailed Grackle
38. Purple Gallinule
39. Pied-billed Grebe
40. House Wren
41. Osprey
42. Red-shouldered Hawk
43. American Coot
44. Cat Bird
44. Fish Crow
46. Wood Duck
47. Red-bellied Woodpecker
48. Black-crowned Night Heron
49. Blue-headed Vireo
50. Black-and-White Warbler
51. Painted Bunting
52. Am. Redstart (female)
53. Yellow-crowned Night Heron
54. Downy Woodpecker
In transit home-2 species in travel
55. Crested Caracara
56. Swallowtailed Kite
57. Ground Dove

03/13/2026

We spent Thursday morning finding and watering the Long Leaf Pines that we planted in November. The drought has hurt our efforts but there are a lot of them left at this time. Hopefully the rains will come before too long.

03/09/2026

Please note that the trip to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive has been cancelled for Friday, March 13th.

02/04/2026

Thursday's trip to Ft. DeSoto is cancelled.
The weather is not favorable for birding or enjoying the park.
NW winds at 27mph gusting higher. Rain in the early morning with chance later in the day.

02/01/2026

01/23/2026

A few more photos from Platt Branch on Jan. 22.