Flagler Audubon Little Big Trip
Flagler Audubon’s Little Big Trip will be a visit to the Okefenokee Swamp and surrounding area on April 13-15th. We will explore the Okefenokee Swamp, Stephen Foster State Park and other nearby areas.
The Okefenokee is the largest blackwater swamp in North America, comprised of about 440,000 acres, and is considered one of the world’s largest intact freshwater ecosystems. The swamp, designated a National Wildlife Refuge in 1937, is located in Southeast Georgia and visited by 600,000 people annually. More than 200 bird species winter, breed, migrate through, or live year-round in this amazing natural area.
Some of the permanent resident birds include: Red-cockaded woodpecker: An endangered species that shelters in the refuge's longleaf pine forests. Look for trees with white paint rings that indicate their cavity nests., Florida sandhill crane which can be seen in open prairies, Great egret, Barred owls, and other species of herons and egrets. Of course we will also be watching for migrants as it will be peak migration.
What is a trip to a swamp without a boat ride. We are planning a 90 minute boat tour with Okefenokee Adventures for Tuesday 4/14. We will poll the group as to the best time. We are looking at the 12:00 or 2:00 tours after a busy day of birding. The tour price is $35pp.
Lodging: There are cabins available in the Stephen C Foster State Park and campsites. Sue and Ann will be in Cottage 6 and will be arriving on 4/12 to scout out the area. If the 2-bedroom cottages are not available there is also the EcoLodge closer to Rt 94. You will need to make reservations through Reserve America https://gastateparks.org/StephenCFoster
Please let us know when you will be arriving and what cottage or campsite you will be in.
Brief/draft itinerary
Monday Morning — Bird around Stephen Foster State Park
Monday Afternoon — Birding around the Alligator Lake RA (Lake City FL) and Oceola NF
Tuesday Morning — Okefenokee NWR Wildlife Drive and Okefenokee NWR Boardwalk Trail
Tuesday Afternoon — Boat tour and more birding around Okefenokee NWR
Wednesday Morning — We will bird our way home after checking for any migrants in the park. Possible locations include Cary SF and Westside Industrial Park (Jacksonville)