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Hike along preserve's trails for bird watching

Two early morning guided bird walks along established trails will be offered in the coming weeks by the Crystal River Preserve State Park.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published November 20, 2006

CRYSTAL RIVER - Two early morning guided bird walks along established trails will be offered in the coming weeks by the Crystal River Preserve State Park.

The first walk will be at 8 a.m. Dec. 1 on the preserve's Eco-Walk Trail. The 2.5-mile Eco-Walk will travel through a pasture with bluebirds and migrating hawks, and then on through several other habitats rich with bird life, said Vicki Mendenhall, staffer at the Crystal River Preserve.

She said that with fall making its arrival, many of the migratory birds that call Citrus County their winter home are flying in.

The second walk will be at 8 a.m. Jan. 5 on the Dixie Shores Trail, which begins off W Dixie Shores Drive and Fort Island Trail.

"This is a very interesting trail in that it begins in an upland habitat and then progresses into a marsh," Mendenhall said. "So you can see different types of birds, especially marsh birds that are not so often spotted."

She said that if the tides are low enough, birders can cross over the marsh into a secluded island to look for more birds.

"You'll definitely get your boots muddy on this walk," she said.

Florida master naturalist Agnes Condon and a park staff member will guide the bird walks.

Birders can expect to see other animals, such as the occasional deer, fox or bobcat, Mendenhall said.

Many fall flowers may still be in bloom, with a few butterflies still about. Photography is encouraged.

Signup is required and limited to 15 people. Call 563-0450 to register. There is no cost, but donations to the Friends of Crystal River State Parks will be accepted.

Crystal River Preserve State Park's Visitor Center is at 3266 N Sailboat Ave.

Take U.S. 19 three-quarters of a mile north of the Crystal River Mall. Turn left onto State Park Drive at the Days Inn. Follow State Park until it dead-ends and turns left and becomes Sailboat Avenue. Follow Sailboat Avenue to its end at the Crystal River.

Crystal River Preserve State Park, formally Crystal River State Buffer Preserve, encompasses about 30,000 acres of coastal Citrus County. The park offers fishing, hiking, biking, bird watching, and a visitor Center with live animal displays, six dioramas depicting local habitats, and a conference room where movies and educational programs are offered free to the public.

Jorge Sanchez can be reached at sanchez@sptimes.com 860-7313 in Citrus or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 7313.

[Last modified November 20, 2006, 08:51:32]