Bird Nerd Nature Tours Debuts with Free Nature Walk September 27 at Leffis Key

ANNA MARIA ISLAND — AMI Bird Nerd is a new Bird Watching and Nature Tour service located on Anna Maria Island. The culmination of co-owners Hector and Bonnie Ferran’s passion for wildlife, respect for disappearing Florida ecosystems, a desire for continual learning and spreading of environmentalism and Bonnie's totally not-weird obsessive need to know every bird she meets, the couple hope they can spread their love of nature through the new venture.
 
“The challenge for beginning bird watchers is overcoming frustration," says Bonnie. "Often times, at first, bird identification can be overwhelming making the hobby too difficult to enjoy. Our intention is for AMI Bird Nerd Guided Tours to assist beginners in learning skills to better identify birds while avoiding frustration. Beyond birds, We want to help educate Anna Maria and Manatee County locals and visitors about vital Florida ecosystems and safe wildlife viewing practices.”

 
The free tour on Saturday, September 27 is scheduled for 90 minutes, beginning at 8:45 a.m. at the front entrance of Leffis Key located at 2351 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Anna Maria Island. The tour size is limited and the reservation deadline is September 25. Reserve your spot online via AMIBirdNerd.com under the reservation tab, by email AMIBirdNerd@gmail.com or call 941-405-2972. Tour patrons may consider bringing water, hat or sunglasses, and applying sunblock prior to the tour. Cameras and Binoculars welcome! Leffis Key is not a pet friendly trail.
 
In addition to the free September 27 tour, AMI Bird Nerd is offering a free tour during their soft launch on September 20 (also at 8:45am on Leffis Key). Please make reservations for this date by September 19.
 
For more information about AMI Bird Nerd and local birding visit their website and their blog.
 
More about the Leffis Key Tour: A leisurely hike through salt marsh lagoons along Sarasota Bay, Leffis Key offers several Bay view docks, Mangrove tunnels, small inner waterways, and Florida coastal wildlife. A low intensity hike, the Leffis Key tour is designed to give visitors an understanding of the importance of the Marsh, Salt Flat and Mangrove Forest while identifying passing specimens common to the environment. The Leffis Key Tour terrain includes both shell/dirt paths and boardwalks. The tour ends atop the observation ridge for a breathtaking view of Leffis Key, Sarasota Bay, and the surrounding areas of Anna Maria Island and Cortez Fishing Village.