The Binocular Site
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Florida
In southwestern Florida you will find the National Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
This 13000 acre sanctuary was originally founded in 1954 in an effort to save large stands of Bald Cypress and Pond Cypress from extensive logging. Along with the towering Bald and Pond Cypress there are a range of other ecosystems throughout the sanctuary. Other ecosystems here include pine flatwood, wet prairie marsh, and lettuce lakes, all connected by over two miles of boardwalk.
The staff at Corkscrew are committed to managing the sanctuary to remain in its most natural state, and therefore have some unusually vigilant programs for the removal of invasive species. The sanctuary has a great commitment to the environment, and includes a fully working “Living Machine”, which processes the waste water generated by the many visitors. The processing system includes an onsite treatment plant, which itself includes specially constructed wetlands.
Being an Audubon site, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary offers the opportunity to see multitudes of birds. Keep an eye out for endangered Wood Storks, wintering Painted Buntings, and Limpkins.
The Florida state bird is the Northern Mockingbird and you can find a checklist for birding in Florida here.
Photo credit to chrisgriffith, used with permission under the creative commons license. You can learn more about the wildlife of the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and even take a video tour here.
If you've visited Corkscrew Swamp, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this Florida birding location below.
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