Double-Crested Cormorant
Anhinga
ARC is located on 10 acres with the main public display area in an open-air building. There is also an indoor classroom and library and an indoor gift shop with restroom facilities. The center includes wildlife education, falconry, and raptor rehabilitation. As of August 28, 2021, 171 raptors of 14 different species have been admitted. They are proud to have released 110, with eight cases still pending and five transferred to other facilities. Species include Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, American Kestrel, Great Horned Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Barn Owl, Coopers Hawk, Eastern Screech Owl, Mississippi Kite, Crested Caracara, and Swallow-tailed Kite. The Avian Reconditioning Center receives no Federal or State funding and is staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers. If you’d like to help support this amazing center, check out www. arc4raptors.org/adopt-a-bird.html. It was heartening to see so many teens volunteering. They have a variety of duties including cleaning cages while the birds are on display. Within 30 miles of Apopka is the 1,650-acre Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, Florida. The park is a man-made wetland designed to provide advanced treatment for reclaimed water from the City of Orlando and other local cities.
The park is located in Christmas, Florida. Visitors can visit the wetlands park seven days a week, between sunrise and sunset, to enjoy primitive and passive activities including: photography, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking (non-motorized), horseback riding, and guided tours. The Orlando Wetlands Park is a great place to visit, relax, get back to nature and enjoy the scenic sunsets. Nature enthusiasts will be greeted by acres of hardwood hammocks, marshes, and scenic lakes. There are more than 20 miles of roads and woodland trails suitable for hiking. The most popular activities include bird- watching, photography, jogging, and bicycling. More than 220 different species of birds have been observed at this site. It has become a model for other communities throughout Florida. The open waters of the lake and marshes attract wintering waterfowl, including Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Common Moorhens, and American coots. Wood Storks, White Ibis, Black-crowned Night Herons, and other wading birds are common during the cooler months. Bald eagles, Limpkins, and Red-shouldered Hawks, Black Vultures, and Turkey Vultures are year-round residents. Raccoons, river otters, white-tailed deer, and bobcats may also be seen along the roads and hiking trails. The Orlando Wetlands is home to more than 30 species of wildlife that are listed on the Florida Wildlife
FOR THE BIRDS
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SUMMER 2022 | 24
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