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State of Birding at Ding Darling (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter RFM
- Start date
Mike Richardson
Formerly known as Skink1978
I spent half a day at Ding Darling last month and was pretty impressed by the number and variety of birds. I didn't have time to bird the trails, but from the wildlife drive I enjoyed good views of very tame Roseate Spoonbill, Marbled Godwit etc.
Obviously from just one visit I can not comment if bird diversity/ number has decreased in the last few years.
Obviously from just one visit I can not comment if bird diversity/ number has decreased in the last few years.
lockbreeze926
Well-known member
I've never actually been there, partly because it's a bit out of the way, but also because all I hear from people who have gone is grief about traffic, congestion, disturbance, etc. It's a good spot for general tourists who like the outdoors.
Plus, there isn't much there that can't be found easier/better/more abundantly elsewhere. I've seen a video and the range and numbers of birds looked fairly typical of a randomly-chosen Florida wetland, quite modest for a supposed hot-spot. 'Course, it will vary according to time of year, and it might just have been a crap video........
Plus, there isn't much there that can't be found easier/better/more abundantly elsewhere. I've seen a video and the range and numbers of birds looked fairly typical of a randomly-chosen Florida wetland, quite modest for a supposed hot-spot. 'Course, it will vary according to time of year, and it might just have been a crap video........
Mike Richardson
Formerly known as Skink1978
I agree that most species I saw at Ding were also seen at other reserves (eg Merrit Island). Its also a long drive from Orlando and once you think your almost there you have to negotiate Fort Myers and associated traffic.
I visited Cork Screw Swamp several years ago and part of me did wish I had gone there again instead of Ding Darling.
Ding Darling was still good but probably not worth driving long distance for.
Runaround
Hanging In There
I also enjoyed Corkscrew and wish I had another day there.
I spent a day this March at Ding Darling and I was really happy with the number of the birds I was seeing, both in species and individuals. Compared to NE Ohio it was great. I was talking with one of the local volunteers and he was commenting about how terrible the birding had been with low numbers of individuals. I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
I was there mid-week and the traffic wasn't bad. Someone told me it is much worse on the weekends.
I spent a day this March at Ding Darling and I was really happy with the number of the birds I was seeing, both in species and individuals. Compared to NE Ohio it was great. I was talking with one of the local volunteers and he was commenting about how terrible the birding had been with low numbers of individuals. I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
I was there mid-week and the traffic wasn't bad. Someone told me it is much worse on the weekends.
Be aware that Ding Darling is closed on Fridays.
I have been to Florida in the Winter for at least the last 6 years and have been to Ding Darling each of those years. I would say lately the bird population is way down. The big traffic congestion/delay is getting across the birdge to Sanibel Island.
I have been to Florida in the Winter for at least the last 6 years and have been to Ding Darling each of those years. I would say lately the bird population is way down. The big traffic congestion/delay is getting across the birdge to Sanibel Island.
