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Buck Lake Conservation AreaConsisting of natural woodlands and wetlands that were historically used for pine and hardwood timber production and cattle ranching, this area was also used as the personal hunting preserve for the ranching family that formerly owned it. To ensure better hunting, the woodlands here were better preserved than on many of the neighboring properties, which were heavily logged. A ridge in the western part of the property supports about 200 acres of scrubby flatwoods and oak hammocks that provide habitat for Florida Scrub-Jays. A basin swamp community dominates the eastern third of the property. The western portion of the property features a large floodplain marsh and a marsh lake, Buck Lake. There is an observation tower on the southeast side of Buck Lake, accessible from the second parking area.Sought-after species here include King Rail, Swallow-tailed Kite, Bachman’s Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Carolina Chickadee, Wild Turkey, Eastern Bluebird, Bald Eagle, Wood Stork and Red-headed Woodpecker. Watch for alligators, gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, bobcats, otters, deer and gray fox. Directions: Three parking areas can be accessed from SR 46 west of Mims. From the I-95/SR46 interchange: The first parking lot is located approximately one mile west on SR 46 on the north side of the road. The second parking area is located about 6.5 miles west on SR46 on the north side of the road. The third parking area can be accessed by going approximately 10 miles west on SR46 then turning right on Morgan Alderman Rd. and go about 0.25 miles; the parking area is on the right. For hunt information, call 352-732-1225.
386-329-3394 |
Seminole Range Conservation AreaThe nearby 28,000-acre Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, like Buck Lake, yields the best experience when time and energy are invested in hiking the property’s extensive trail system. A variety of habitats are found here including pine, palmetto, hardwood hammocks, freshwater lakes, river and wetlands. The hammocks and wetlands are thick with everything from migratory songbirds and Painted Buntings to turkeys and wading birds. King and Clapper Rails and Soras, among others, can be found in the marshes where the property borders the St. Johns River. Certain areas within Seminole Ranch CA have a unique plant community supported by connate saltwater which flows from underground springs near Harney and Puzzle Lakes. The salinity of small lakes in the area sometimes approaches one-third that of seawater. Many salt-tolerant and marine-dwelling organisms present here are not found anywhere else in the St. Johns River, including the elusive Black Rail. A trail on the east side of Hatbill Rd. about two miles south of SR 46 leads to an observation tower.
386-329-4404 |
Hatbill ParkHatbill Road runs through the center of Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, ending at the St. Johns River and Hatbill Park, which can be good for sunrise and early morning birding before the airboaters arrive. Limpkins are possible here as well as Wood Ducks, Mottled Ducks and other waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds and raptors. There are bobwhites and meadowlarks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Boat-tailed and Common Grackles, Fish Crows and Anhingas. You can usually find cardinals, shrikes, Eastern Towhees and vireos here. Working along the road, you may see Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, robins, Cedar Waxwings, Sedge and Marsh Wrens, Swamp and Savannah Sparrows and four species of woodpecker (pileated, downy, red-bellied and flicker). Red-headed and Hairy Woodpeckers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are occasionally seen. You can usually find Pine, Prairie, Black-and-White, Palm, Yellow-throated and Yellow-rumped Warblers in season. Many others may be found in migration. Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos are here as well as Red-eyed Vireos in migration. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and eastern Screech-owls can also be found.Directions: The North Tract of Seminole Ranch is bisected by Hatbill Rd., which intersects SR 46 on the south side, 4.1 miles west of the I-95 and SR 46 Interchange. Look for signs for Loughman Lake Lodge and the Seminole Range CA. The South Tract of Seminole Ranch is accessed via SR50. The trailhead is directly south of the parking area for Orlando Wetlands Park (see directions for OWP). For camping information at Hatbill Park, call 321-264-5037. |
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