Nature and wildlife

[firsttimer]

I think it might be nice to have a tread or fuorum where people could ask questions about the wildlife they might see, wild places they might go, places to ramble,let people know if they saw anything interesting in their last visit etc.
eg I would like to know if I'm likely to see humming birds and where I can see wildlife in the wild rather than in theme parks.

[SG]

I think this is a great idea. It would certainly add a new dimension to people's holidays.

Shirley

[blott]

For Florida humming bird info, try here http://rowdy13.tripod.com/floridahummers/home.html

There's also a guide to Florida wildlife on http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida_guide/wildlife.asp

[firsttimer]

Thanks Blott!
It looks as though some humming birds arrive in March, so we may see some in April.
And the wildlife page is just the sort of thing I was looking for.

[firsttimer]

I found this page on the Nature Conservancy website giving guided walks etc:
http://nature.org/wherewework/northa...lorida/events/
and here is a map of the wildlife preserves in Florida with a map:
http://nature.org/wherewework/northa...ida/preserves/

[blott]

We've been to the Disney Wilderness Preserve in Poinciana which we found very interesting, particularly the buggy ride they do on Sundays as the guides are very knowlegable. They had the kids off the buggy too trying to find and identify animal tracks which the ones on our trip got very excited about!

[firsttimer]

Do you know if it would need a half or a full day, and is there anything else nearby to combine it with?

[blott]

The buggy trip starts around lunchtime (1.30 pm) and lasts for about an hour or so (depending on how many people ask questions) but there are loads of walking trails and you can take a picnic with you (you can get the fixings in either the Publix or Winn Dixie supermarket in Poinciana if you can't be bothered to make one up beforehand) so you can make it last as long as you wish.

On the way there, along Poinciana Boulevard from the 192, there's (in driving order) Green Meadows Petting Farm, Horse World Stables, Reedy Creek Nature Reserve and, a bit further on at Southport, Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, so quite a few to choose from!

[steph_goodrum]

Many of the State parks only charge about $7 per carload for entry and the Disney Wilderness preserve was about $2 a person to get in when we last checked so they can be a very cheap and enjoyable way to spend a few hours or the day.

[lisi]

I know this an old thread but I would just mention on the question of wildlife that Blott well and truly told me off last year!!!! When I returned from Crescent Lakes I just mentioned that I had not seen a lot of wildlife and being a freak thought it would be nice if there was a bird table outside the pool area! Well the heavens opened and he quoted chapter and verse about attracting the sort of creatures we would rather not and especially about not feeding the gators. I could quite see the point and thoroughly agreed but being a bird lover I was hoping to see something more tropical than bluetits and sparrows as we have at home.

I took it all in good part and know it was not meant harshly especially when I heard that a lady on Sanibel had been dragged into the water by a gator that she had been feeding!!! But I would love to be able to see more wildlife this time too[msnsmile]

Lisi