Myakka State park, Fl: Has anyone birded Myakka? Usually when I get down to that area of Florida I hit Corkscrew swamp and Sanibel area. Looking for suggestions on best places and...

tjjm Loc: Saint Louis, Mo.

Has anyone birded Myakka? Usually when I get down to that area of Florida I hit Corkscrew swamp and Sanibel area. Looking for suggestions on best places and approach. There is a river that runs between two lakes and wondered if I should be on the water or if good access from land. Thanks for any tips.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I never had any luck at Myakka with birds. I like the Venice bird rookery and Fishing Pier SP.
Also the Nokomis Beach jetties.
Not to say Myakka isn’t fun though.

Edit: Fort Desoto Park is also great. Maximo Park is no slouch either.
Have fun, you are in Paradise!

jimfullwood Loc: Sarasota, but Ex pat from UK

Lots of Ospreys amongst others, gators, deer, wild boar, eagles occassionally, no need to be on the water, plenty of land access as long as it hasnt been raining hard.

OllieFCR

tjjm wrote:

Has anyone birded Myakka? Usually when I get down to that area of Florida I hit Corkscrew swamp and Sanibel area. Looking for suggestions on best places and approach. There is a river that runs between two lakes and wondered if I should be on the water or if good access from land. Thanks for any tips.

Harns Marsh is excellent and lightly birded.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

tjjm wrote:

Has anyone birded Myakka? Usually when I get down to that area of Florida I hit Corkscrew swamp and Sanibel area. Looking for suggestions on best places and approach. There is a river that runs between two lakes and wondered if I should be on the water or if good access from land. Thanks for any tips.

I live approximately 15 miles from the Myakka Park so it is very convenient to visit; however things seemed to have change in the last three years. My frequent visits have not paid off relative to birding; I have tried all hours of the day with no luck: no birds in sight. There are however, many alligators, deer and armadillos if that is of some interest to you.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

Watch where you are walking, the gators love to sun themselves and can be very large. I speak from experience, barely missed stepping on one while I was walking the lake’s edge. This made a lasting impression.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I've been to all those spots. Myakka is a good one. I Have struck out at Corkscrew so many times though that I'm dropping it from my itinerary.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

The last few weeks there has been a flock of white Pelicans on sanibel IN Ding Darling. Lots of photographers have been coming over to shoot them.

tjjm Loc: Saint Louis, Mo.

thank you all for the information. Will be checking out a few of the new places (to me) that you all mentioned and will let you know how I do.

Tom

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Let us know about any success at Corkscrew.

tjjm Loc: Saint Louis, Mo.

OllieFCR wrote:

Harns Marsh is excellent and lightly birded.

Was able to meet up with the Collussa birding club and we did Harns marsh. Great variety for me. Got some new birds and will post shortly. Thanks.

tjjm Loc: Saint Louis, Mo.

Fotoartist wrote:

Let us know about any success at Corkscrew.

Only did an afternoon at Corkscrew but did get a fair variety. The usual suspects, palm and pine warblers, painted buntings, many in the heron family. Anhingas with chicks, and a yellow crowned with a babe. Have a 7D mark 2, the original 100-400, and just added the 1.4 convertor. Shooting hand held, learning.

Tom

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