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Orlando Wetlands Park Field Trip (Christmas)
March 13, 2021 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Join Mark Wallace for a bird walk Saturday, March 13, 2021, at the Orlando Wetlands Park. We will explore multiple habitats covering about 2 miles. We suggest bringing drinks, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray (optional). The trip involves walking a mile or 2, so wear comfortable footwear. There are bathrooms on location. Please email Mark at markwallace@wispertel.net if you any questions.
We will meet at the Orlando Wetlands Park (25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas) parking lot near the education center at 8:30 AM.
• All participants must register on Meetup.
• Registration is limited for each Field Trip based on the number of Leaders available.
• All participants must check in with the Field Trip Leader and sign the Liability Waiver.
• Masks are REQUIRED for all attendees and attendees should try to maintain social distancing guidelines
• Equipment will not be shared by Field Trip Leaders. Family groups and social pods may share equipment amongst their group.
• Carpooling is only allowed for family groups and social pods. No field trips will be conducted that require carpooling at this time.
• Food will not be provided at events nor will we gather after events at restaurants, picnics, etc., except for family groups and social pods.
• When two or more Field Trip leaders are available, we will break up into groups of 10 or less and go on different routes. When passing other groups try to maintain social distancing.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Field Trip Leader.
From the GFBWT website: With more than 220 bird species and 63 butterfly species the Orlando Wetlands Park (now open year-round) is a “must visit” for birders and wildlife viewers. This large wetlands treatment facility uses aquatic plants to polish already treated wastewater before discharging it into the St. Johns River. This process prevents algae blooms in the St. Johns River and provides a fertile habitat for all kinds of wildlife! Look for Least and American Bittern (winter), Purple Gallinule, Limpkin, and Osprey. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Crested Caracara, Snail Kite, and Short-tailed Hawk are possible. Watch for Purple Martin nesting in trees each spring – this is one of the few places east of the Mississippi where they nest in natural cavities! A hammock trail that begins at the parking lot and winds east around Lake Searcy and north through a hammock can be good for migratory songbirds. Check out the Wildlife Garden near the entrance and try to spot some butterflies: Palamedes Swallowtail, Pearl Crescent, Queen, Whirlabout, and Carolina Satyr are common. Hiking is, for the most part, on raised, exposed dikes. Plan for full sun exposure and insects, and watch for summer thunderstorms. Large alligators also inhabit these wetlands and may bask on the dikes.
To see this event’s field trip report located on the Space Coast Audubon Society Website (48 hours after the event), follow the link
http://www.spacecoastaudubon.org/category/trip-reports/
