Friday, March 28, 2014

Payne's Prairie La Chua Trail

Paynes Prairie La Chua Trail
Sedge Wren
Every year in March I make a trip from my home in Central Florida to a conference in Dothan, Alabama. It's a perfect opportunity for me to get up early and drop by one of Central Florida's treasures, Payne's Prairie. I've only been here twice, and both times I've visited La Chua Trail.  This is a wonderful trail with great habitat for sparrows, wading birds and other fun things.  I usually give myself a couple of hours here to recoup from driving and enjoy a little nature.  My favorite kinds of birds to find here are sparrows.

Paynes Prairie La Chua Trail
White-crowned  Sparrow
Paynes Prairie La Chua Trail
Savannah Sparrow
Paynes Prairie La Chua Trail
Savannah Sparrow
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Song Sparrow
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Chipping Sparrow
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Swamp Sparrow
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Vesper Sparrow
(heavily cropped)
But the wading birds here are also a lot of fun.  It's a good place for the normal egrets and herons, and it's not uncommon to see an American Bittern here as well.

Paynes Prairie La Chua Trail
Snowy Egret
Paynes Prairie La Chua Trail
American Bittern
Paynes Prairie La Chua Trail
Black-crowned Night Heron
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Black-crowned Night Heron (imm.)
Other than what I've mentioned, you may also find a Whooping Crane or two, and in the winter time, even a female Vermilion Flycatcher (though so far I've not seen it here). If you're ever in the Gainesville area and would like to do some birding, this is a great place to visit.  It's not far from I-75 with easy access, and you're bound to have a good time.

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