Advertisement
Maggie Paxson and Tim Hardin from Alachua Audubon and Jessica Dyszel from Duval Audubon will be co-leading a trip to Huguenot Memorial Park. Meet at the parking lot at 30.4122718, -81.4196489 to consolidate cars and head to the beach. 4WD will be preferable for beach driving to get to the north side of the park. Please ONLY drive on the beach if vehicle is appropriately equipped and at your discretion.
Winter birding can be especially productive with excellent diversity of birds and much lower traffic on the beach. Targets include overwintering gulls, terns, waterfowl, and shorebirds, including the rare in Florida Purple Sandpipers and the rare but local Saltmarsh Sparrows. Other potential targets include scoters, Northern Gannets, Piping and Snowy Plovers, Nelson's Sparrow, and Ash-throated Flycatcher.
Entry to Huguenot Park is $5 per vehicle. Participants should bring water, sunscreen, binoculars, and comfortable footwear for walking in soft, sometimes wet, and uneven sands. Waterproof footwear is recommended.
If you choose to stay after Huguenot, we will break for lunch at noon - bring your own food or eat at a nearby restaurant, such as Billy Jacks (BBQ) and carry on to other locations.
There are multiple options nearby Huguenot for afternoon trips, including Big Talbot/Spoonbill Pond, Little Talbot, Fort George Island/Kingsley Plantation, Heritage River Road within a 15-minute drive radius. Spoonbill Pond may have a chance for Marbled Godwit and Marsh Sparrows during high tide. Fort George Island is a nice drive through for Painted Bunting. A ferry ride ($6 per person) can also take you across the river or you can drive around for access to Hanna Park, Arboretum, Theodore Roosevelt Park, Spanish Pond, and Fort Caroline. Jax Pier is a further drive but a good location for sea ducks.
Photo by Danielle Zukowski
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Huguenot Memorial Park, 10980 Heckscher Drive,Jacksonville, Florida, Atlantic Beach, United States
