Felts Audubon Preserve

Bluebirds, originally uploaded by bmthomas.

Felts Audubon Preserve
4600 24th Avenue East
Palmetto, Florida

This was a rare treat for me. My mother had told me about Felts Audubon Preserve last year. Unfortunately it is only open the first Saturday of the month from 0800 to noon. This was the first time I had been around on the first Saturday of the month.The preserve is run by the Manatee County Audubon Society (http://www.manateeaudubon.org/felts.html). According to their pamphlets it consist of 27 acres and they have seen over 100 species of birds have been seen at the preserve.

We were the first to arrive. I highly recommend getting there early/first because it did get a little crowded.

We saw a number of small birds including Eastern Bluebirds, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Palm Warbler, Tufted Titmouse, American Kestrel, and a Wood Stork. When we arrived we saw a pair of mating Red-shouldered hawks. We saw these hawks repeatedly through out the day. According to locals they have seen owls and painted buntings. I was really hoping to get a good bluebird photo and to see a painted bunting but didn’t.

If you are in the area on the first Saturday or the month, I would highly recommend a visit.