A Visit to Lakes Regional Park

Monday February 27th

Got a late start today to do a little birding. Tried to venture onto Ft Myers Beach in search of any Black-backed Gulls. Hadn't seen any yet in the new year. But the large numbers of folks visiting from up North, here to enjoy our weather, it was impossible. Turned around and re-crossed the Matanzas Bridge were I noticed that the shrimping fleet was in. From here I ended up in Lakes Park.

Lakes Regional Park is a very nice park operated by Lee County with a wide variety activities available.  Besides birding opportunities,  we find picnic shelters, lodge ( friends of ours held their wedding reception here), gardens. an amphitheater, trails for walkers and cyclists, (and birders), fishing, a water park, swimming beach, volleyball courts, cycle and kayak rentals,  miniature train rides and museum, a summer camp, a weekly farmers market and scheduled events.

The Railroad Museum maintains this 1909 Steam Engine

Our family enjoyed this park from the time we first moved to Lee County in 1987. Prior to the devastation created here by Hurricane Charlie in 2004, the park was well shaded by towering Australian Pines. The redevelopment included the removal of much of the surviving  Australian Pines, as they are considered to be a noxious invasive plant. Native trees and shrubs have been planted and are now starting to show some maturity.

Anhinga with the catch of the day

As for the birds, at least ten species of  birds used the spoil islands as rookeries. White Ibis, anhingas, cormorants, cattle egrets, tricolored and more species will nest on the islands.  Ospreys nest throughout the park and many more species can be found.  About eight years ago my daughters and I spotted the Scarlet Ibis that was once roosting here.

Lee County Bird Patrol ( I am also a volunteer) leads monthly guided tours.

Common Gallinules

Great Blue Heron

Terns and Flycatchers

Terns and Flycatchers

  Much of the spring migration has already passed us here in southwest Florida. Hopefully a few interesting or even exciting birds will still continue to come our way.

  I have noticed that we have a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers hanging around our house this week.  They would be a new Yard Bird to add to that list.  This leads to an item from BirdBrains about a Caribbean bird called LaSagre's Flycatcher which is an occasional vagrant to Florida.  Usually in the Keys or in the Miami area. A tantalizing report has appeared from an out-of-state birder about a possible sighting at a local park. So far nobody has reported re-finding the bird at Lakes Park, near Ft Myers. Hopefully I can give it a stab soon.  This same location has been the site for finding our local Scarlet Ibis.  But it would really be nice to get the LaSagre close to home instead of the three hour trip to the other coast. A bird is still being reported at Bill Baggs Park at Key Biscayne in Miami. I tried for it a few months ago without success.

  Another interesting bit of news was a report from the TAS message board, were Carlos, Trey and Toe headed out into the Gulf Stream seeking pelagic birds. They reported slow birding, but had some great photos of an Arctic Tern. Those of us on the Gulf Coast will certainly have to travel to some day add this beautiful bird to our life list. Toe did a great job with these pictures.

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