Paddy Cunningham Pascatore
Owner - Birding Adventures
Expert Guide and Instructor
Paddy Cunningham has been a professional Naturalist in south Florida for more than 23 years. She served as the Naturalist Manger II of Fern Forest, Secret Woods, Arch Creek and Anne Kolb Nature Centers. For the last 20 years her classes-Tools and Advanced Tools for Better Birding has focused on a 10 path approach to increasing your speed and ability to identify birds. One of her biggest impacts on south Florida has been the restoration of wetlands and hammocks to their natural conditions from the destruction of exotic plants. Paddy has served on the boards of both Broward County and Tropical Audubon Societies and serves currently as the field trip coordinator for Broward Audubon.
Her business, Birding Adventures takes birders in search of Florida specialties throughout the state, specializing in the Everglades, Big Cypress, Corkscrew, central prairies, Ft. DeSoto and the Keys. Successful trips to Panama, Costa Rica and the Eastern Shore of Virginia have been added to her annual schedule of trips, with future trips to Texas. More than 200 species of birds are found each year on her Florida trips. She is a presenter of Birding by Ear at the top Space Coast Birding Festival and has been published in The Florida Naturalist.
My motto is "You learn the i.d." and I facilitate the identification of birds in a non-intimidating field experience. I have the expertise and sharp eyes to find as many rare and number of species as any top guide, but my specialty is to patiently work with birders of all levels. My greatest joy is seeing my birders improve their skills to become advance birders themselves. As an Instructor and Top Guide it is my job to show YOU the bird, but more importantly is to teach you the special field marks, behaviors, song and habitat that is unique to each bird. My passion and enthusiasm for birding is to show YOU the bird and to teach YOU the skills to better identify it in the future.
Birding Adventures
- 200 plus species in Florida per year
- Gain LIfe Birds
- Find Rare Birds
- Patient Instruction
- Expert Guiding
- Meet New Friends
- Visit Beautiful Natural Areas
- Learn New Skills
- Improve ability to i.d. & locate birds
Birding Adventures has been in business for more 7 years. As a County Park Naturalist/Manager of 20 years, I realized I wanted to take interested birders throughout Florida and the world, not just local parks. So Birding Adventures was born with an emphasis on teaching birders the whys and how of identification, not just I finding the bird and you checking it off.
People who bird with me gain life birds and learn the habitat, behavior, field marks and how to identify it again. I am a patient teacher and can work will birders at all levels. People always asked how am I able to find these birds? It comes with years of gained knowledge, a keen eye, a sharp ear and patience to wait for the birds to appear.
I have also been told I that I should change the name of my company to "Bird til you Drop." I will work from dawn to dusk (and in the dark for Owls) to find every possible bird to add to a daily list. My birder say can I put my binoculars away? I say it's not over until its over. JOIN ME FOR A BIRDING ADVENTURE!!!
WHY ARE YOUR TRIPS SO MUCH CHEAPER THAN VENT OR WINGS? WILL OUR TRIP BE AS GOOD? WILL I MISS SOMETHING BY NOT PAYING UP TO $1000 MORE FOR THE SAME TRIP?
I PASS THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU BY NOT HAVING A FANCY OFFICE, SECRETARY, & GLOSSY MAGAZINE? YOU WILL BE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH ME AND THUS SAVE. Upon reading these companies itineraries and bird lists MY TRIP sometimes exceed their list and in fewer days (depending on weather and habitat visited). We usually stay in the same or comparable accommodations, with the exception of some lodges (all inclusive) to keep cost down.
My LOCAL GROUP TRIPS ARE INEXPENSIVE BECAUSE MY BIRDERS GO WITH ME OVER & OVER AGAIN. I WANT TO KEEP THE COST LOWER TO REWARD THEM. THANKS!!!!
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Panama Birding
Fees
GROUP FIELD TRIPS - $40
CLASSES - $15 (Bonnet House)
PRIVATE TOUR
per day-8 hours
$200 for up to 2 people
$35 each extra person up to 5
$10 gourmet lunch (optional)
$0-$40 gas charge depend on distance traveled
Includes binoculars, field guides, checklist and water
HALF DAY PRIVATE TOUR
3-4 hours
$50 per person
Includes binoculars, field guides, checklist and water
Please, half day trips will be limited in destinations based on travel time
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RAVE REVIEWS
“If you haven’t birded with Paddy before you are in for a treat.”
Barbara DeWitt-South Florida Audubon Board Member
You are the best birding instructor I have ever had.
Linda Humphries, President, Audubon of the Everglades
You have made our birding trips more meaningful than one can
ever imagine-every outing a great adventure.
Sue Hagen
Thank you so much for your generous lessons and for sharing your staggering knowledge with us. We all had a great time. I know I imposed upon you a lot about other things as well as birds (snakes, plants, etc..) and I appreciate your patience and good humor.
Barbara Dix
Thanks for the great birding adventure in Virginia. I had a great time and learned so much. I can’t wait for the next trip!
Dr. Patty Born
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"You were a big hit with the attendees of the South Regional American Birding Association Conference. We couldn't of done it without you."
— Chip, Assistant Coordinator of Events and Conferences A.B.A.
"An outstanding guide and instructor"
Space Coast birder
"You are a gifted field trip leader. Florida is lucky to have your birding by ear skills."
Debra Russell
"I love your passion and enthusiasm for birding."
Dr. ..., Switzerland
"How does she do that? (find the birds)
She has been doing that all day."
Everglades Bird Festival birder
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SPACE COAST BIRDING & WILDLIFE FESTIVAL
Titusville, Florida - January 2009
(leaders are given a list of comments with no names attached from their workshops and field trips) |
WORKSHOP - BIRDING BY EAR AND HABITAT
“This is the best workshop I have been to in 3 years.”
“ Knowledgeable, Paddy worked hard to have us enjoy a wonderful morning. She was excellent. Thank You!”
“Paddy was Awesome.”
“Excellent. Learned a lot. Added life birds. Amazing look at Barred Owl and Whippoorwill”
“Excellent I.D. walk. Very good teacher!”
“Well done. Good information and kept group informed as to schedule, calls, birds, etc..” |
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FIELD TRIP - ZELLWOOD
“Fantastic. Birds showed up on cue.”
“Excellent, well organized and very educational trip. The leaders were phenomenal, so knowledgeable and observant. Great personalities.
“The trip exceeded my expectations”
“It was wonderful to see such an area for the first with such experts. 3 new life birds. Would recommend trip to others.”
“Excellent. Great birding. Great Guides. All Good. Too early!!!”
“Great trip and the leader was very helpful in spotting the birds.”
“Excellent Field Trip. Great Guides who knew their territory and gave the information that the birders wanted.”
Space Coast attendees |
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