Florida in Winter (1 Viewer)

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davidh

Member

• Aug 8, 2003

• #1

Hi folks,

I've got a two and a half week trip booked for Florida in January and I am trying to put together a good itinerary. I want to make this count as I'm unlikely to ever go again, so where should I go to get a good list ? I've already put Merritt Island, Sanibel Island, Honeymoon Island and the Everglades on the list. Are there any other suggestions ? I've rented a motorhome so I'm very flexible. How about Ocala or Paynes Prairie ?

 

Grousemore

Senior Member

• Aug 8, 2003

• #2

I replied to an earlier posting today and mentioned the Great Florida Birding Trail Guides.
They cover a lot of Florida and give full details of birding locations,what to see and when best to visit,times,directions etc.
They are free and downloadable from the website at;
www.floridabirdingtrail.com
I find them invaluable.Hope this helps.

 

D

davidh

Member

• Aug 10, 2003

• #3

Thanks, I'll have a look ..

 

Paulyoly

Well-known member

• Aug 12, 2003

• #4

Be sure to visit cape coral while at sanibel island, they have a large population of burrowing owls, here's an email i just got from their chamber of commerce.

They occupy lots on almost every street in Cape Coral. There are some behind St Andrews Church on Del Prado, the Cape Coral Library and on SE 21st Street. Good luck

As for paynes prairie, the main park has not produced many birds for me, but i've never been in the winter, the La chua trail which is part of paynes prairie is great for birds like ibis, heron, egret, i've seen several species of ducks, including this whistling duck.

some birds at la chua trail that i've seen every time are great blue heron, cattle egret, little blue heron, white ibis, red winged blackbird, grackle, red shouldered hawk, moorhen. some i have seen more than on one occasion are loggerhead shrike, whistling duck, little green heron, anhinga, glossy ibis, stilt.

I'm sure i'm forgetting someone, a guranteed non bird is the florida alligator, they lay right on the trail, but will gladly move for you. The la chua trail is only a mere mile in length, but packed with birds. the best part is it's free. Paynes prairie state park however cost $3.

 

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D

davidh

Member

• Aug 24, 2003

• #5

Thanks for the info. I'll definately take in Sanibel and probably Paynes Prairie if time permits.

Great picture.

 

Geraldine

Martian Member

• Aug 24, 2003

• #6

Hi Paulyoly, Wow for the picture. What a beautiful bird! Thanks.
:hippy:

 

dennis

Have binoculars. Will travel.

• Aug 24, 2003

• #7

If you drive down to Key West many extra species can be added. If you get to Key West a boat(Yankee Freedom) leaves almost every day for the Dry Tortugas. Go there to add Masked Booby, Sooty Tern and Brown Noddy. Just about anything is possible on the island which is home to Fort Jefferson. This trip is an adventure in itself!!

dennis

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Aug 24, 2003

• #8

Do Whistling Ducks actually whistle?

 

Paulyoly

Well-known member

• Aug 24, 2003

• #9

Andrew said:

Do Whistling Ducks actually whistle?

Click to expand...

That is where they get their name, but i never heard them make a sound. I have seen those ducks three seperate time at the la chua trail.

David, according to the alachua audubon society site

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/aud/best.htm

the best time to bird paynes prairie(La chua trail) is in the winter, i know i'll be there atleast once a week this winter.

 

D

Dave B Smith

Well-known member

• Aug 30, 2003

• #10

Davidh,
While at Sanibel I'm assuming you're planning for some time in Ding Darling Reserve. It is one of Florida's real hot spots. Roseate Spoonbills, all types of Herons and Egrets, and on and on.

And the everglades might be larger than you are expecting. There are a number of different entrances to it and some famous birding areas.

You're definitely picking the right time of the year for the trip.

Have fun,

 

D

Dave B Smith

Well-known member

• Aug 30, 2003

• #11

Paulyoly,

That's a fantastic picture of the Black-bellied whistling duck. I saw my first ones last year on a trip to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. We were at a small marsh where we had been told we might see whistling ducks. It was just before sunset and we had spotted several Black-bellied and one Fulvous whistling duck. Then the first flock of Black bellied whistling ducks came in to roost, then another flock and another. It was amazing seeing literally thousands of them coming in just as the sun was setting.

 

HelenB

Opus Editor and Expat from Cumbria

Opus Editor

• Aug 31, 2003

• #12

Andrew,
Yes they do whistle - we have several that we hear as they fly over our house before landing by the lake on the golf course. A pair nested nearby recently and brought their ducklings down to the lake. I put some photos on my website:
http://helensbirds.homestead.com/bbwducks.html

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Aug 31, 2003

• #13

Paulyoly said:

a guranteed non bird is the florida alligator, they lay right on the trail, but will gladly move for you

Click to expand...

Really?!

I thought they just sat there, opened wide, and GULP!

Michael

 

Larry Lade

Moderator

• Sep 1, 2003

• #14

Another good spot in Florida is "The Cork Screw Swamp". There is a board walk there that winds its way through the swamp. Just about every conceiveable wader is there including both night-herons, wood stork, ibis, herons and egrets. Possibly a Limpkin. Photography possibilities here are probably better here than any other location in Florida. You will see Bald Eagles, Osprey and Barred Owl.
A little south from there is the Miccosukee (spelling) Restaurant where you can find the Snail Kite. On the south side of the road is the Shark River Area (Everglades) which is very good viewing. Birds to be seen here would be Short-tailed Hawk, moorhens, coots, gallinules, anhingas, swallow-tailed kites, etc.

Larry

 

Last edited: Sep 1, 2003

B

Beverlybaynes

Mod Squad

• Sep 1, 2003

• #15

Glad to see you have Merritt Island on your list. My brother-in-law is STILL talking about the place, after visiting during a holiday break a couple of years ago.

Dave, do you have accomodations lined up on Sanibel? I have a friend with a condo available for rentals on the opposite end of the island from Ding Darling (but only about 10 minutes from there), beachfront, near the lighthouse, backed by a nature preserve. It's a weekly rental.

And if you're interested in the care and rehabitation of wildlife, including birds, don't miss CROW, a wild animal hospital on Sanibel. They will do daily tours of their facilities.

 

D

davidh

Member

• Sep 2, 2003

• #16

Thanks for all your replies. I'm definately going to take in Sanibel (Ding Darling Reserve), Cork Screw Swamp and the Everglades. I intend to do a loop, arriving at Orlando, west to Merritt Island, north east to Paynes Prairie, then down the east coast via Honeymoon Island, Sanibel and eventually the Everglades. Then drive back to Orlando.

I have just under three weeks, so I'm trying to ensure that I'm not doing too much. I've hired a Motorhome (RV), so I'm very flexible, but must make sure I don't go too far north as I want to spend some time in the Everglades.

(Beverly, due to having hired a RV I won't need the condo but many thanks all the same).

Any further suggestion would be most welcome. Where's the best place to see a Red-Cockaded Woodpecker ? - Ocala ?

Many thanks,

Davidh.