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Birding big in North Fort Myers

By Staff | Nov 16, 2010

SPECIAL TO THE NEIGHBOR A Great Egret captured in photo at Prairie Pines.

For those who love a beautiful nature walk and those who enjoy bird watching, officials and volunteers of the North Fort Myers Prairie Pines Preserve have announced a series entitled “Morning Meander Atop the Marsh,” guided nature walks at Prairie Pines Preserve.

The first will be held Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9-10 a.m.

“A guided Nature Walk on the quarter mile loop boardwalk at Prairie Pines Preserve will be held that day, and then we will do it again in December,” Gayle Sheets, the top volunteer and organizer of the events, said. “Then they will actually be held through March, on the first and the third Saturday of each month.”

Sheets is a well-recognized fixture in the North Fort Myers community for her conservation efforts and her experience in the bird world as part of the Bird Patrol.

“The Bird Patrol counts both species and numbers,” she said at the Lee County Conservation 20/20 site. “The diversity and type of birds tells 20/20 something about the health of the property.”

Many have been interested in the nature hikes and birding exhibitions.

“I have personally been with the Bird Patrol for eight years. I love birding, but I wanted to bird with a purpose,” Sheets said.

She is a South Fort Myers resident, who became involved with the North Fort Myers entity.

“I love that preserve. I count birds deep in the marsh. It is a beautiful hike, and it is truly a wonderful preserve with lots of hiking trails and a variety of habitats for birds, butterflies and mammals,” she said.

Part of the walk will concentrate on butterflies.

“Butterflies and native plants call Prairie Pines home,” she said. “There are also bobcats, otters and raccoons.”

As they walk, they will point them out.

Those that have taken the hike before want to know more about the Preserve.

“I understand their desire to know more about the things they see. The beauty draws it in, and then they want to know more,” she said.

Kathy Olson is the Lee County Conservation 20/20 senior supervisor who opened and supervises the preserve.

“We’re very excited about these programs in order to provide the general public an opportunity to visit these Conservation 20/20 gems,” she said.

Olsen said of the new series, “Gayle and the rest of our volunteers are very enthusiastic and excited to provide these programs. They include Janet Bunch and the rest of the volunteers – trained volunteers who will provide exciting tidbits on the natural flora and fauna of Southwest Florida.”

There are many amenities in the preserve, including the boardwalk that was completed in 2009.

An ADA-compliant boardwalk, the central focus of the hour-long stroll will traverse a seasonal marsh while participants learn about the birds, butterflies and plants that call it home.

It is a small section of a 2,654-acre Conservation 20/20 wilderness oasis that includes nature trails, wildlife observation areas and equestrian trails.

The tour is provided in cooperation with Lee County Parks and Recreation and is free with paid parking. Parking is $1 per hour or $5 for all day.

Prairie Pines Preserve is located at 18400 N Tamiami Trail. For information, call 533-7455.