Must Do Sarasota Visitor Guide Summer/Fall 2017
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Summer/Fall 2017 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Summer/Fall 2017 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
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Florida is a<br />
Birdwatcher’s Paradise<br />
JENNIFER BRINKMAN<br />
By: Gillian Birch<br />
Whether you enjoy birdwatching to spot new species, or to<br />
capture them on photographs, Florida has plenty of great<br />
spots for finding flocks of birds. Many bird species spend<br />
the winter in Florida. Others stop to rest on Florida’s lakes<br />
and marshes en route to warmer destinations along the Gulf<br />
migration flyway. Southwest Florida has some of America’s<br />
top refuges for spotting rare and unusual birds, from<br />
waders and ducks to impressive birds of prey.<br />
The best time to spot perching birds in their natural<br />
habitat is during the early hours after sunrise or just<br />
before sunset. If you want to get up close, wear light colored<br />
clothing that blends in with nature and does not rustle<br />
as you walk. Move slowly and stay quiet to get the best<br />
results, whether you are hiding or watching from a natural<br />
lookout point.<br />
Stay away from nests, especially if they contain eggs or<br />
young birds. Never touch a nest or remove an egg as<br />
the parent may desert the nest, leaving the young birds<br />
to starve.<br />
Top Birdwatching Locations<br />
Near <strong>Sarasota</strong> and Venice<br />
The <strong>Sarasota</strong> Audubon Society<br />
manages a 300-acre wetlands site at<br />
the Celery Fields. It organizes several<br />
trips and activities for birdwatchers<br />
every month, so checkout their website<br />
– sarasotaaudubon.org. This natural<br />
area is the main stormwater collection<br />
zone but also serves as a natural<br />
recreation area. The ponds, marshes,<br />
and canals are lined with willow, pines,<br />
and reeds making it perfect for birds.<br />
This area is ideal for birdwatching from<br />
the boardwalks, gazebo, and hiking<br />
trails and is easily accessed from the<br />
I-75 exit 210. Unusual birds to look<br />
out for are sandhill cranes, limpkins,<br />
bobolinks, bald eagles, and harriers.<br />
JENNIFER BRINKMAN<br />
JENNIFER BRINKMAN JENNIFER BRINKMAN<br />
Further south, the Venice Audubon<br />
Society manages the Rookery, open<br />
daily from dawn to dusk and it is always<br />
popular with bird photographers.<br />
Shady pavilions overlook the small<br />
lake or walk around to spot egrets,<br />
blue herons, glossy ibis, green herons,<br />
anhingas, and many other species<br />
feeding and building their nests.<br />
Volunteer staff are on hand to help<br />
identify species or lend a pair of<br />
binoculars. This prime birding site is<br />
just off the US-41 in Venice on Annex<br />
Road. Look out for purple gallinules,<br />
common yellowthroats, black bellied<br />
whistling ducks, skimmers, and<br />
Florida burrowing owls.<br />
As you can see, there are so many<br />
great birdwatching locations in Southwest<br />
Florida. I hope you get to enjoy<br />
them all!<br />
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18 SUMMER | FALL <strong>2017</strong> <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com
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