SAMUa A. OKIMIS 



The Caracara, a resident of central Florida, is the national 

 bird of Mexico. 



Brighton Indian Reservation. This trip should add the 

 Sandhill Crane and the Caracara to the birder's list. 



Highlands Hammock State Park is particularly proud 

 of the following birds: Swallow-tailed Kite (March- Aug- 

 ust), Anhingas (all year), turkeys (occasionally, Limpkin 

 (occasionally), bluebirds. Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red- 

 cockaded Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Short-tailed 

 Hawk (winter) bitterns (winter), Florida Scrub Jay, Pro- 

 thonotary Warbler, and others. 



If this does not satisfy our birder, he might take a night 

 stroll to find owls, Whijvpoor- wills (winter). Chuck- wiU's- 

 widow (summer), Common Nighthawk (summer), and 

 night herons. On a moonlight night, the Great Blue Heron 

 will go fishing too. Good birding to you. 



Carol H. Beck 



LAKE WALES AREA 



MOUNTAIN LAKE SANCTUARY— Site of the 

 Singing Tower, 3 miles north of Lake Wales. Nature 

 trails wind through the 100-acre sanctuary. Many of the 

 plants are marked. The best birding, generally, is in the 

 north half of the area. Main attraction is the colony of 

 more than 200 wild Wood Ducks, many of which nest 

 in the sanctuary and spend the entire year there. Ninety-six 

 species of birds have been identified since 1956, most of 

 them upland species. Barn Owls nest on the Tower. 

 Warblers are abundant in migration. A photo blind has 

 been set up near a feeding station. Ask for a checklist at 

 the information booth. Only charge is 50 cents per car 

 parking fee. 



TIMBERLANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY— On 

 Lake Pierce about V/i miles north of the Great Master- 

 piece. Follow Timberlane Road signs to the sanctuary. 

 Then follow "Information" signs to Gordon Male residence 

 and secure permission before going on the nature trails. 

 Limpkips are often seen along the canals, Pileated Wood- 

 peckers in the forest. A big attraction is "George," a Sand- 



16 



hill Crane that was shot and now makes Timberlane his 

 home. This residential development in a sanctuary is a fine 

 example of how man can live in harmony with nature, 

 setting his home in the midst of natural beauty instead of 

 bulldozing it away. No charge. 



COOPER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY — A small 

 sanctuary, posted by the Ridge Audubon Society, within 

 the city limits of Lake Wales. Follow Park Avenue toward 

 the west until it dead-ends at lake. Park there and walk 

 south along the shore of Lake Weaver. Many warblers 

 and other small birds frequent the tangled growth of the 

 sanctuary. A few short trails have been cut. Usually a 

 variety of wading birds can be seen around the lake margins. 

 No charge. 



BABSON PARK AUDUBON CENTER AND NA- 

 TURE TRAIL— On U. S. Alt. 27 just north of Webber 

 College. The Center is scheduled to open late in 1963. 

 It will contain displays and exhibits about the natural history 

 and conservation needs of central Florida. The nature trail 

 is now open. It starts behind the Center and winds down 

 to Lake Caloosa, thence along the lakeshore and back 

 through the pine woods to the Center. A very scenic walk, 

 with most birds being seen in the lake area. A nature trail 

 leaflet will be available when the Center opens. Owned by 

 the Florida Audubon Society, operated by the Ridge Audu- 

 bon Society. No charge. 



LAKE REEDY IN FROSTPROOF— Traveling south 

 on U. S. Alt. 27 from Babson Park, you enter Frostproof. 

 Lake Reedy is the large lake east of town. The drive 

 circling the lake usually produces a good list of birds, 

 including ducks, Anhingas, and sometimes an Osprey or a 

 Bald Eagle. On the southeast side of the lake a^ign points 

 to the "Lake Arbuckle Boat Landing." Scrub Jays are 

 almost always seen along this hard-surfaced dead-end road. 



Kenneth D. Morrison 



LAKELAND AREA 



The most spectacular birdmg for those visiting Lakeland 

 or vicinity is in the late spring or early summer. This is 

 the nesting season for the wading birds with rookeries 

 located in phosphate settling basins. Unfortunately these 

 sanctuaries are not open to the public due to active mining 

 operations nearby. The visitor is always welcome, however, 

 to join in regularly scheduled field trips of the Lake Region 

 Audubon Society which are held on the third Saturday of 

 each month, September through May (none in December). 

 The group meets at 1 p. m. in the parking lot of the Civic 

 Center in downtown Lakeland. 



Two of the wildlife sanctuaries in the Lake Region area 

 that are open to the public include the new Saddle Creek 

 Wildlife Sanctuary on State Road 542, three miles east 

 of Lakeland, and Peace River Park on route 60, one mile 

 east of Bartow. 



During the winter season, the tourist will enjoy observing 

 the great numbers of waterfowl on Lakeland's lakes, 

 particularly Lake Morton. Also, Lake Mirror in downtown 

 Lakeland, which has a resident population of alligators and 

 turtles as well as water birds. Various forms of wildlife 

 may also be seen around Lake Parker during most of 

 the year. 



