Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with bird count at Lee County’s Hidden Cypress Preserve

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by participating in a bird count from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Hidden Cypress Preserve in Bonita Springs. The event is free and open to the public. This is a non-competitive event.
Participants will be guided by expert birders and volunteers with the Lee County Bird Patrol. The 1.5-mile loop trail at this Conservation 20/20 preserve allows participants to observe birds in multiple habitats, including pine flatwoods, live oak hammocks, freshwater marshes and cypress. The trail is not ADAaccessible. 
“Although several migrating birds will already be headed north from this area by early May, there is still an opportunity to observe some migratory birds,” said Charlie Ewell, Lee County Bird Patrol president. “There will also be plenty of resident bird species to see, so any bird observed will count.”
 
Last year’s participants counted 29 species, including swallow-tailed kite, white-eyed vireo, northern parula, pileated woodpecker, glossy ibis and one barred owl. 
 
Registration is required. Please call Jason Boeckman, Lee County Parks & Recreation’s Conservation 20/20 coordinator, at 239-204-1125. Space is limited.
 
Suggested items to bring include water, hat, sunscreen, binoculars, camera, and a notebook and pen for recording bird observations. Participants should wear closed-toed shoes, not sandals.
 
Driving directions: The preserve entrance is located at the intersection of Wellfield Road and Liberty Youth Ranch Way. There is no street address for the preserve. From U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail South, travel east on Terry Street for 3.5 miles; turn left on Morton Avenue; turn left on Sand Road; turn right on Wellfield Road. Travel Wellfield Road for 1 mile to end at the intersection of Liberty Youth Ranch Way.
 
Visit www.Conservation2020.org or call 239-204-1125 for more information.
-