Gainesville Birding & Football – November 2018

When a business consultant offered us suite passes to the Florida vs. South Carolina football game, we couldn’t say no. With a noon kickoff, we decided to stay the night in Ocala, a short drive from Gainesville. Our room at the Shamrock Historic Inn was a quaint, comfortable spot just a couple of blocks from a bustling downtown. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner at La Cuisine Restaurant before heading out for some birding the next day.

As usual, we got an early start and headed to the La Chua trailhead at the north end of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. We were hoping to find some birds and see the park’s famous wild horses. A friendly park ranger told us about the recent changes due to high water levels, explaining that the main trail now ends at the observation deck. He also mentioned that Snail Kites are now a regular sight, thanks to the non-native vegetation that brought in invasive apple snails. We were amazed to see more Limpkins than we ever had before, and a pair of wild boar feeding in the shallows was an unexpected treat. Among the 30 species we saw, highlights included a Bald Eagle, a Blue-headed Vireo, and a Pileated Woodpecker.

Our next stop was the nearby Sweetwater Wetlands Park, and it was a great find. After several close calls on previous trips, we finally got to see the famous wild horses! The park’s trails and boardwalks were amazing, and we quickly spotted a Sora, several Glossy Ibis, and a skulking Purple Gallinule.

Finally, it was time to head to Gainesville for the game. We passed a mural paying tribute to the city’s favorite son, Tom Petty, and arrived in time to watch the University of Florida band march to the stadium.

The game was a nail-biter, but the Gators pulled off a thrilling 35-31 win in the fourth quarter. It’s great to be a Florida Gator!

Trip Birds: 42   Life Birds: 0

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