Watch birds at Bunche Beach this weekend
One of the best birding venues in Southwest Florida will be under observation this weekend.
Bunche Beach in South Fort Myers will again offer a free experience to watch both migrant and resident wading and shorebirds working the mudflats at low tide from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14. The event, which is provided in cooperation with Lee County Parks and Recreation, features a volunteer patrol guide leading interested participants into a birding paradise to watch and monitor many different species of our winged friends.
Due to the diversity of micro-invertebrates, the Lee County beach is fertile grounds for various birds. Some of the birds which are typically seen are black belly plovers, brown pelicans, reddish egrets, herons, ruddy turnstones and, if chance has it, a bald eagle, which hangs out on one of the old Australian Pines, according to Lee County Land Stewart Terry Cain.
“We have a lot of unique birds in and around that beach right now,” she said. “You should have a variety of birds to watch out there. Bunche Beach is one of the best birding spots in the county. It is a really, healthy beach. That’s why the birds are out there, because their is a smorgasbord under your feet.”
Guides Iver Brook and Charlie Ewell -who will probably be the ones with tripod scopes on their shoulders- will lead the group which is asked to meet in the parking lot at Bunche Beach. Attendees are asked to bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet, a bottle of drinking water, a curiosity and a love of nature.
“It’s good to wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet,” Cain said. “Make sure you wear the appropriate attire that you need to protect yourself from the elements.”
Cain calls the bird patrol volunteers “completely and totally dedicated individuals” who really enjoy their work. The county bird patrol volunteers help protect, monitor and educate the public regarding the contribution that birds make to the delicate balance of the area’s ecosystem. Many of the volunteers are asked to count birds and turn the counts over to the property manager for Lee County.
“Iver and Charlie are the best,” said Cain. “We can’t live without our volunteers at Lee County Parks & Rec. They can also tell you about some of the other birding areas around Lee County. They are exceptional at what they do. Come to have fun and learn.”
Bunche Beach is located off Summerlin Road at the west end of John Morris Road. For more information, call 707-3015. The event is free though there may be a parking fee.
Go to www.birdpatrol.org to learn more.