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Leader:
Kevin Dailey
Date:
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Time:
7:30AM – 11:30AM
Meeting Place:
Stokes Landing Conservation
Area Parking Lot (no fee)
What to Bring:
Beverage, snacks, insect
spray, binoculars, scope, camera
Trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate.
Anticipate walking/hiking 2-3 miles.
Directions:
Drive approximately 3 miles
north of St. Augustine Airport on
US1. Make a right on Venetian Blvd
(at the King's Head British Pub).
Then turn right again on Old Dixie
Highway (2 blocks), turn left on
Lakeshore Dr. (0.2 mi.). The
Conservation Area will be
approximately a mile down Lakeshore
Dr. on your right and is marked by a
small fenced parking area and
information kiosk.
Come join us as
we explore this under-utilized
birding hotspot in St. Johns County!
Stokes Landing
Conservation Area is 286 acres of
multiple habitats, including tidal
marsh, hardwood hammocks, and pine
flatwoods. Much of the area
overlooks the Tolomato River and
marshes, so - for those willing to
bear the weight for a couple mile
hike - carrying a scope with you can
be very rewarding.
We'll begin by
birding the trail head by the
parking lot. This is good habitat
for woodpeckers, kestrel,
brown-headed nuthatch, and possibly
early migrant species wood warblers.
Those arriving a little early could
luck out with a calling (or visible)
Northern Bobwhite or Eastern Screech
Owl.
From there,
we'll follow the trail north where
there is an observation platform
overlooking the marshes of the
Tolomato River. Some wintering
species observed here in the past
have included green-winged teal,
hooded and red-breasted mergansers,
eagles, harriers, sharp-tailed and
seaside sparrows, sedge and marsh
wrens, as well as a large assortment
of more common species. Along the
trails we can expect to see various
woodpeckers & sparrows; we could
pick up some early spring migrants
as well.
After scanning
the marsh area, we'll take a short
break at the picnic tables under the
covered pavilion before heading
back.
Note: The
"trails" can sometimes consist of
deeply rutted roads so supportive
footwear is recommended. Insect
repellent is a must and there are no
"facilities". | 
