The winter and early spring seasons are especially fine times to enjoy birding at Everglades National Park, and the staff has invited the public to participate in several "citizen science" activities to help count birds in the park. The final two "Big Day Birding Adventures" programs for this year will be held on March 14 and 28, 2015.
Five sessions of the program have already been held in January and February, and a park spokesperson notes, "This is a great chance to go out with experienced park staff to count birds within the varied habitats of Everglades National Park."
No advance reservations are required, and anyone who enjoys birding is invited to meet at the Anhinga Trail parking area at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday March 14 and 28. The Anhinga Trail is in the Royal Palm area of Everglades National Park, about four miles past the Main Entrance to the park, and 15 miles southwest of the town of Homestead.
The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is near the Main Entrance, and on the way to the Anhinga Trail parking area. You'll find driving directions to the Visitor Center here, and a park map is available at this link.
"This is a great opportunity for novice and experienced birders alike to observe and learn about the birds of the Everglades…and to explore the park's diverse habitats: from freshwater marsh to pine Rockland to mangrove swamp to Florida Bay," says park ranger Christi Carmichael. "We usually see around 60 species of birds, with a possibility of viewing such feathered wonders as Purple Gallinules, Roseate Spoonbills, and rare Short-tailed Hawks."
"The public is becoming increasingly involved in 'citizen science' activities," says Carmichael. "Bird count data can help to show trends in bird populations around the world, so scientists and managers may decide if further research or conservation efforts are appropriate for particular species."
If you'd like to join in the activity, be prepared to drive your own car over 40 miles one-way to points of interest along the Main Park Road. The activity lasts about 6 hours and ends at Flamingo. Participants should pack a lunch and water and prepare for sun and mosquitoes. Some walking is involved.
Count results will be posted on the park's website and on Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's online bird database, eBird.
If you need more information, call Christi Carmichael in the park at 239-695-3092.
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