Treasure Island, FL in early March: any suggested hot spots

Looking for any recommended hot spots around Treasure Island, Tampa, St. Pete's area in FL. Probably anyplace in Florida is a hot spot compared to NW PA in early March as far as birds (and everything else) but we'll only be there a few days and I was hoping to get a pelican and a stork . Any chance of that? I did email the St. Pete's Audubon a couple of weeks ago for suggestions but haven't heard back so thought I'd try here. Thanks very much!

Michele

Michele, there are many parks. The best near you is Fort DeSoto, but Boyd Hill/Lake Maggiore is not too far. To the north a little, stop at the bird sanctuary (I think Madeira Beach). Farther north and inland, Lake Seminole (my park), Boca Ciega Milennium Park, Taylor Park, Sawgrass Lakes, etc, etc. More than you can see in your visit. You will see pelicans and wood storks for sure. If you pm me, I will try to answer any questions. Use google to locate these and other parks.

Michele, Stan has covered it very well. I would add the fishing pier at Redington Shores as a good place for pelicans. They will pose on the rail and you can get really close. If you are into birds in flight the pelicans are often flying around there also.

Thanks much everyone Stan and Don. I know I said i didn't have a lot of time but someone I know suggested I take a ride down to Naples and check out Corkscrew Swamp which is an Audubon property. Would it be worth the 3-4 hour drive?

Michele, I have only been to Corkscrew Swamp once and it wasn't that great. I realize that timing is a factor in all these locations, but I personally would not drive so far to visit Corkscrew based on my experience. There are good places between St Pete and Naples. if you want to make a drive, Ding Darling on Sanibel is much better, IMO. Also, the Venice rookery is a good place. Then there is the Oscar Scherer SP near Sarasota.

You can see pelicans anywhere along the coast, just find a fishing pier. There are two at Fort DeSoto and others along the coast near Treasure Island. Wood storks are plentiful in the park across the street from me (as well as other places). I watched 10 of them perform, catching fish, etc for an hour last Wed. Then I went and shot ospreys, herons, egrets, moor hens, coots, mallards, cardinals, warblers, etc...all in this one park. Trust me, you don't have to drive that far to see lots of birds.

In adddition to those already mentioned :
Myakka near Sarasota. Last Feb I caught a new Limpkin family for their first outting. Usually lots of Herons and Egrets. Carcara have been seen in the area as well as Bald Eagles though i have not seeen either right in the park.
There is a new park near Tampa as well but for the life of me I can't remember the name. Tidal, Spoonbills, Herons crabs, horseshoe crabs you name it.
Pelicans feed off the fishing piers on the Sunshine skyway loads of fun watching them dive.
Mote Marine on Longboat key in Sarasota has nesting Pelicans and Herons right off the pier as well as a great aquarium.
Sarasota Selby Gardens a green house full of orchids and other tropicals, The landscaped garden will have some blooming and butterflies plus the usual florida water birds. A welcome relief from the dreary Mid Atlantic.

Fort Meyers Loads of feeding pellicans and the Ford / Edison site as well.

Or you could hop over to the East coast to Viera wetlands... loads of water birds gators and turtles. Bald Eagles and nesting Carcaras

Has anyone in this forum been to Ding Darling in late May? We are planning a trip down there and I was wondering what the activity was like around that time frame. I read a post about the Vennice Rookery, is that close to Ding Darling?

iceman78 wrote in post #9487727
Has anyone in this forum been to Ding Darling in late May? We are planning a trip down there and I was wondering what the activity was like around that time frame. I read a post about the Vennice Rookery, is that close to Ding Darling?

I am usually traveling out of state in May, so I can't speak from actual experience. Call the VC at Ding Darling, they will give you the straight scoop. Venice is 85 miles from Ding Darling.

Thanks again Sparker, Iris, Don and IceMan!! Can't wait to get down there Like I said in my initial post, almost anywhere this time of year is a hot spot compared with NW PA, but...we do have a Snowy Owl about an hour away, apparently on an extended layover, that I got to see yesterday A lifer for me!

Can anyone give detailed direction to the Venice Rookery. The ideal directions would be for my Garmin. Known 911 address them directions to the Rookery would be great.

Thanks in advance.

How to Get There

The Venice Rookery is on Route 41 a short block north of Jacaranda Boulevard. The entrance road is an Annex between a Florida Highway Patrol (police) building and the Sarasota County Courthouse.

To reach the Venice Rookery from Interstate 75, take exit #35 to Jacaranda Boulevard. Travel southwest for about five miles (pass Venice Avenue, Center Road, Indian Hills, Skiar and Woodmere) and turn right onto Route 41 heading north. As soon as you complete that right turn, get into the left lane and make the first left turn. You'll enter a small street called the Annex between the Highway Patrol building and the courthouse. Proceed for several hundred feet and the rookery will be on the right side. Parking is in an open lot on the left.

Viera Wetlands in Melbourne, Honeymoon Island north of Clearwater.

Heading down to Myakka next week unless my break gets canceled. Been some storks hanging around Sawgrass Lake the past few weeks. Lot's of white ibis.

Here is the website for the Florida Bird Trail. Will give you many potential locations with address and directions

http://myfwc.com/gfbt/