Field Trip: Spoonbill Pond (Jacksonville)

Leader: Carol Bailey-White (904-707-1881)

Spoonbill Pond is an informal name for the pond directly across the street from the Sawpit Creek / Big Talbot Island Boat Ramp, at the foot of the Nassau Sound Bridge. The location is at the extreme northeast limit of Duval County and is one of the premier places in NE FL to observe the highest diversity in species during a single visit. In winter, it is not uncommon to observe close to 50 species and this location is the #1 eBird hotspot in NE FL – even over places like Reddie Point, Guana, and Huguenot Memorial Park. Target species include Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier, American White Pelican, Wood Stork, Piping Plover, Seaside Sparrow, Lesser Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck. Horned Grebe and Loons are possible in Nassau Sound, and Common Eider has also been recorded by the bridge pilings in recent years.

We will start out at the Sawpit Creek / Big Talbot Island Boat Ramp to find marsh birds and visiting sparrows, then cross FL-A1A to see what we can find in Spoonbill Pond.

Bring binoculars, drinks, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes, and a hat if desired.

Meet in the parking lot for the Sawpit Creek Boat Ramp, across FL-A1A from Spoonbill Pond. Fee: $2 per car. Exact change is required since you must put your money in an envelope and then into the lock box. There is no park ranger stationed at this entrance. The parking lot is primarily used by boaters, so find a smaller parking space for your vehicle.

Restrooms are available at this site.

Meetup Link: https://www.meetup.com/Duval-Audubon-Society/events/263822220/