Winter is Coming!

In “Game of Thrones”, these words are foreboding. For those of us living in Florida it brings a sigh of relief!

West of Route 27 at the Palm Beach/Broward County Border you will find one of the best access points into the Northern Everglades. From this entry point you can access Francis Taylor, Holey Lands and Rothenberger Wildlife Management Areas as well as the Harrold Campbell Water Management District. After the first few miles of paved roads you cross a small bridge and choose either the dirt road to the south (Francis Taylor) or the north (Holey Lands) of the canal. The roads meet up again about 10 miles later at one of those huge Florida Water Mover Buildings where you decide to continue west (Rothenberger) or head north (Rothenberger and Holey Lands). I'm estimating that there are about 70 miles of dirt roads to explore where you can park and hike anywhere along the way. It all depends on your willingness to get your feet wet and the time of year as to how wet your feet will get.

My plan for the day was about 8 miles in the Campbell Water Management District. Access to this gem of nature is at the second parking area after heading west off Route 27 (About 3 miles in and JUST BEFORE the road turns dirt.) In the parking area, be on the lookout for loggerhead shrike, nighthawks, mockingbirds and killdeer. They all seem to prefer the parking area and fields south of the parking area. The hike starts after crossing the pedestrian bridge to the north. You are now entering a grid of levies that goes on just about forever. Zigzag your way north and west on the levies to your hearts content. Just remember that for every mile out, there is a mile back to the parking area. You are not going to find the end of the levies in any direction that you head

There are two main reasons that my favorite hiking in the area is the Harold Campbell Water Management District. First, while I am not afraid to get my feet wet, given the choice I prefer to keep them dry. Hiking the levies above the marshes and grass lands gives me perfect viewing of the land and wildlife without having to drag my sorry ass through the Florida marshes. Second, the Campbell Water Management District is an oasis for bird and other wildlife and we are now entering the PRIME TIME TO VISIT!

By late November, the temperatures have dropped so you have the cool breezes to keep you company. These same cool breezes end the siege of mosquitoes and deer fly that from late spring through the early fall can drain you of your will to live. (I still go in summer but I admit that it can be brutal and I have lost a friend by dragging him out there in July. He did not die. He just won't go hiking with me anymore.) Also by now, the winter migration is well under way and the marshes are starting to fill with various “snow birds” including a variety of ducks as well as coots, roseate spoonbills, white pelicans and various smaller migraters. They join up with the permanent cast of waders, gators, gallinule (common and purple), raptors (mostly osprey, red shouldered hawks and vultures) and kingfishers to create a lush winter haven.

While still a bit early in the season, a highlight of the hike was some fairly large flocks of Blue Winged Teal. They seemed very skittish but given that we are in the middle of duck season, who can blame them. Taking flight by the hundreds, they circled the wetlands and provided some great picture opportunities. Mixed in with the Teals were some smaller groupings of American Coots. I am looking forward to the larger flocks of Coots to arrive. While it is fun to watch 10 or 20 “run on water” when they get spooked, the explosion of sound and fury when hundreds do it is an event not be missed. Roseate Spoonbills also made their first appearance of the year. Being the “other pink bird”, the contrast with everything else around them and a Spoonbill against a blue sky can take your breath away.

It was a fine day to be on the trails. Come join me when next I head out.

Doug vdB