Ocklawaha Field Report – Target Bird - Limpkin 

"Participants included Meret Wilson, Veronica Peterson, Michele Bocskovits, Roger & Tina VanGhent, Joanie Tasca, Lee Chellemi and Diane Reed.  Despite threatening weather conditions, we ventured out with Capt Erika for a wonderful birding day and to find Veronica’s life list bird. 

Capt Erika explained the plights of the River and the efforts to protect this waterway she calls home.  Tina and Erika removed tangled fish lines from the waterway during the morning. Hearing the elusive limpkin calling several times, we were on the alert for our bird.

We found many of the usual birds on the river with many Eastern phoebes calling and flying about.  We had several small feeding flocks of bay-breasted and other warblers.  We watched nine anhingas kettling in the sky.  Michele was our good luck gal and she found a pair of barred owls for us.  

As we were ending our trip, suddenly Michele gasped ‘There it is!’  All eyes were on Michele, who was eagerly pointing to the one LIMPKIN that arose from foraging in the grasses. Veronica was overcome with excitement, as she got her up close and personal views of her life bird, the LIMPKIN. 

As we enjoyed our picnic lunch and prepared our checklist, we made plans to visit Rodman dam.  We were able to get a few more species in this area.  The last few of the group wanted to see the Vaill Point eagles.  We were not disappointed, as we watched the eagle building its nest in the tall pines at the edge of Moultrie Creek.  On taking Lee home, a black-throated blue warbler was seen in her front yard dining on beauty berries, as the end to a perfect day." - Diane Reed 

Join Captain Erika aboard the Anhinga Spirit for a two-hour journey on Florida’s famous Ocklawaha River. This slow speed journey is aboard a 24 ft pontoon boat led by Capt. Erika, Coast Guard licensed Florida Native. The tour will include a brief history of the area with views of native species, such as herons, egrets, anhingas, limpkins, red-shouldered hawks, and ibis. Hopefully, we will see the warblers, vireos and flycatchers that also inhabit this area. We’ll look for owls and migratory species as we tour this beautiful river.

Be sure to pack some snacks for the trip. When concluded, we’ll decide about additional birding opportunities for those interested. Check out Capt. Erika’s website: http://www.acruisingdowntheriver.com

Trip #1
Date: Saturday, October 20, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (on the river)
Meet: No later than 7:45AM at the boat.

Trip #2 (Early birders delight)
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2007
Time: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM (on the river)
Meet: No later than 6:45 AM at the boat.

Directions: Capt. Erika is at least 45 minutes drive time from Palatka. Total drive time from St. Augustine is slightly less than two hours. Take SR 207 from St. Augustine to Palatka. Take FL-19 south from Palatka (travel approx 18.6 miles). Turn right on Hwy 316 (paved road north of Elite Shopping Center). Travel approx 12 miles and cross the high bridge over the Ocklawaha. Turn right at the first paved road (advertises Marjorie Harris Carr Greenways, Eureka West Boat Ramp & Fishing Pier). Follow signs to Boat Ramp (less than ½ mile). Capt. Erika will meet us at the Boat Ramp 15 minutes prior to boarding. (Note that this is the same road that goes to the Canoe Outpost and your turn to the boat ramp is slightly before the Outpost).
Capt. Erika can be contacted at (cell phone) 352-817-7820.

Cost: This trip requires an RSVP by October 6th to Diane Reed at 904-829-9854 and a donation of $10 per person. The pontoon boat holds a maximum of 10 persons and we are prepared to offer two trips if there are enough interested people.

Chapter Leader: Diane Reed (904) 829-9854 RSVP required

This area contains a listing of the species seen or heard on the trip.