River Lakes Conservation Area is Open!

Compiled by Sarah Linney from e-mails by Tom Dunkerton and Andy Bankert

"What is it?" and "where is it?" you ask?

When going to Viera Wetlands, and heading into the click ponds, instead of turning right into the click pond area, go straight. Just inside the gate will be a sign designating the area. The conservation area parking lot is 3.5 miles down the road. The sign cautions not to stop until reaching the area. I imagine the powers that be made right of way arrangements with Duda Properties for public use of the road to enter the area. The road travels past pastures, pine and scrub habitat as well as a short trip along the sod fields along the north side. The south side is bordered by a drainage trough. Arriving at the parking lot there is a sign designating the trails to get to the river and/or lakes. Bring lots of water if you go, the river is 2.5 miles further. There is a hammock loop along one of the trails, I believe it's designated the Moccasin Island Tract.

Inquire at the office for more info; there might be brochures available at some point.

According to Andy Bankert, "The good birding really does not start until you get about 2 miles north of the parking lot, and come to an open marshy area that is fairly dry on the southern end." Andy walked around the western end of the marsh, and there is an observation tower that overlooks Lake Winder at the southwest corner of the marsh. This was probably the best weekend (Oct. 22) to go around because hunting was only limited to archery. Andy believes that the area is closed to hunting until Saturday (Oct. 28), then it will be open to guns.