RALPH E. LAWRENCE 



In Florida, the Prairie Warbler is commonly found in mangroves, 



although transient birds may be seen in other types of habitat. 



ROUTE 82 — Long-legged waders, shore birds, Sand- 

 hill Cranes. 



ROUTE 78— East of 31 from 80. October to May. 

 Scrub (Florida) Jays. 



The First National Bank's Lee County map would be 

 very useful. Contact Caloosa Bird Club for whereabouts 

 of Painted Buntings and special birds in Ft. Myers. 



The Caloosa Bird Club Field Trip Schedule is available 

 to anyone interested. 



William K. Widger (Caloosa Bird Club) 



ST. PETERSBURG AREA 



MIRROR LAKE in downtown St. Petersburg is noted 

 for the Ringed Turtle Dove. 



LAKE MAGGIORE AND NATURE TRAIL— 9th 

 St. So. noted for herons, egrets, ibises, Anhingas, cor- 

 morants, roosting on small island on north end of Lake 

 Maggiore, land birds in picnic area and Nature Trail. 

 1 6 1 birds have been recorded around the lake and nature 

 trail. 



LOSSING PARK— Waterfront north of 22nd Ave., 

 So. Many shore birds, a variety of terns, Bonaparte's 

 Gulls, and Marbled Godwits may be found here. 



SUNSHINE SKYWAY— Route 19. This is the best 

 place for Oystercatchers and Marbled Godwits. Shore 

 birds of many species are found here. 



BAYWAY TO FORT DESOTA PARK (Mullet 

 Key) for shore birds such as Long-billed Curlews, Whim- 

 brels. Piping, and Snowy, Plovers. 



GULFPORT — Both shore and land birds can be found 

 licre. 



Mrs. Frank G. Smith 



SANIBEL-GAPTIVA AREA 



Sanibel and Captiva Islands, located in the Gulf of 

 Mexico some 15 miles west of Fort Myers, Lee County, 

 Florida, have long been called a "Mecca" for naturalists 

 in general. Since the establishment of the Sanibel National 

 Wildlife Refuge in 1945, the lovely islands have become 

 increasingly a haven for both birds and their students. The 

 islands are reached by a bridge-causeway (as of May 26, 

 1963) which connects Sanibel Island with the fishing set- 

 tlement of Punta Rassa on the mainland. The area boasts 

 over 200 species of birds, including many rare or unusual 

 forms, which can be observed at extremely close range, 

 and most intimately. Such birds as Roseate Spoonbills, Bald 

 Eagles, Black-necked Stilts, Knots, Oystercatchers, Snov^ 

 Plovers, and the smaller migratory birds, an excellent assort- 

 ment of shore birds, and a diversity of bird habitats make 

 the islands an important stop-over for those who hope to 

 improve their observation techniques and bird lists. The 

 Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society meets the second Thursday 

 in each month, November through April, the special pro- 

 grams taking place throughout that period. For further 

 information on the birdlife of the islands write: Refuge 

 Manager, Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Is- 

 land, Florida. 



Charles R. Le Buff, Jr. 



SARASOTA AREA 



OSCAR SCHERER STATE PARK— Oscar Scherer 

 State Park is approximately 10 miles south of Sarasota on 

 Route 41. Entrance road to park, a quarter mile long, 

 leaves the highway 2^^ miles south of Osprey, on the east 

 side of the road just north of South Creek. 



Oscar Scherer State Park is the best place for Scrub 

 Jays, and several other land birds, many of which are 

 very tame and will feed at your feet or from your hand. 

 Across the creek may be seen a Bald Eagle's nest with 

 eagles present during the winter and at the picnic area an 

 old eagle's nest occupied by the Great Horned Owl. 



MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK— Myakka River 

 State Park is 17 miles east of Sarasota. Take Route 41 

 south, 3 miles to Route 72, and turn east on Route 72. 



On the way to the park, in the ranch area, Sandhill 

 Cranes may often be seen. Wading birds, including both 

 species of yellowlegs, may Ibe seen in the pools on the 

 ranches along the way and in Cowpen Slough canal. 

 Bluebirds frequently are seen on the wires, and Red- 

 shouldered Hawks on posts or in trees along the way. 



Myakka River State Park is the best location in the 

 Sarasota region for wintering ducks, wading birds including 

 Wood Ibis, White Ibis, and Limpkin, also Anhinga, Red- 

 shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker. This park is prob- 

 ably the best place in the State to see the Wild Turkey, more 

 likely to be seen in early morning and late afternoon. The 

 Sandhill Crane is present in the wilder areas of the park and 

 sometimes may be seen. In summer the Purple Gallinule 

 nests in the park, as well as many large wading birds. 



There are also numerous animals present in the park 

 such as deer, raccoon and wild pig. 



