On Dec. 8, The Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge sponsored their annual Sunrise Breakfast Bird & Boat Tour. This year we launched from a new location at Kings Bay Park where the city has a lovely walkway near a lagoon and a boardwalk that extends out into the Refuge waters. This phenomenal event is something River Ventures has participated in for years, and we always learn a thing or two ourselves!

This fundraising event is very popular and sells out quickly every year. We appreciate all the attendees who support our event by returning for a fun, informational, and engaging outing! There were over 53 bird species seen during the morning tour...and spotting 53 species of birds in two hours is not an easy task in most parts of the world, it's just one of the reasons this area is such a hot spot for birders! The weather was perfect, Captain Wade set sail at dawn and we couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Everyone enjoyed their delicious breakfast provided by their Friends. A big “Thank You” also to the many Audubon bird guides who generously volunteered their time and equipment. The Audubon loves visiting the Crystal River Refuge as they are never disappointed at the array of birds they find and the array of humans that come out hoping for a peek! We find that our friends from Europe are so enamored with birding here in the Bay, and sometimes get as excited about an eagle or osprey as they do about a manatee!

To all the people who participated in this event, you helped support the mission of the Friends of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Our responsibility is to promote the preservation of the natural and historical resources of the refuge, foster their use and enjoyment by our community and public, and engage in activities that will continue to protect, educate, enhance and conserve our national wildlife refuge. Our hope is that these efforts will inspire others to continue learning about these precious habitats and make small, personal changes to improve our environment for generations to come.

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event.....River Ventures will be there, with bells on!