Ruben,
I am sure many Florida birders will have different and maybe better
suggestions, but let me try to answer your RFI to the best of my ability.
Ft. Myers area in May, you say.
1.) The Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island ($3 toll to
get on the island, money in the box at the Refuge) at a low tide on any day
other than Friday, when it is closed to vehicular traffic, is at the top of
the list. Have you ever seen a100 Little Blue Heron or 30 Spoonbills in one
view? The Wildlife Drive will take you a couple of hours because you will
want to get out MANY times!!
2.) While you are on Sanibel, the Lighthouse in May will be migrant heaven.
Other good area spots for warblers and such are the 6 Mile Cypress, Nature
Preserve which is on 6 Mile Cypress/Ben C. Pratt (Don't ask!) and Lakes Park,
both run by the Lee County Parks and Recreation Dept.
3.) You will want a beach. There are two excellent ones to offer. My
favorite is Bunche Beach (just off Summerlin as you leave Sanibel). 6
species of plover are possible if a Killdeer shows up. You MUST get here
and hour and a half either side of a low tide or you are going to see squat!
Wear old shoes, short pants -- you get the picture? Fort Myers Beach has the
advantage of not being tide specific and the disadvantage of having traffic
looking like the Germans on the retreat from Moscow.
4.) A little further afield, of exit #17 of I-75 and then East about 15 miles
is the National Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. A 2.5 mile
boardwalk among 600 year old cypress trees, lakes filled with Water Lettuce,
nesting Wood Storks, Limpkin, Barred Owl, lots of waders and song birds.
Don't miss it. $8 if you are not an Audubon member, $5 if you are or become
one. Worth every dime. There is a brand new $3,000,000 visitor's where you
will want to spend some time and money.
5.) If you have a half day to kill, head East on US 41 to Shark Valley. The
two hour tram tour never disappoints and you get to see the REAL Everglades
in comfort. If you don't see any Snail Kites from the Tram, stop of at the
now abandoned Airboat Ride building, just a short distance back towards
Naples from Shark Valley on the right. Scan the trees and grass to the North
and you will have a good chance for the Kites.
This ought to cover the major habitats and birding opportunities. If I can
be of further help, just drop me an e-mail
Good birding!
DICK
Dick Beeler
Fort Myers
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