HOLLAND PARK

When I first decided I needed to get out to see the birds I wasn't sure where to go and look for them. So then I thought that the local parks would be the best place to start. So then I thought Holland Park might provide a few birds so off I went.

HOLLAND PARK is a delightful Intracoastal-front 23-acre park. Once here you will find boat ramps, two pavilions, picnic facilities, bicycle path, nature trails, a waterfront overlook, and a waterfront observation tower. Here visitors can bike, enroll in kayaking lessons and full-moon tours to West Lake, launch their boats, enjoy an eco-walk on a nature trail or picnic or enjoy freshwater fishing or just sit and relax and watch the activity on the Intercostal.

This park is located at 801 Johnson St. (Map) Hollywood, FL 33019

954-921-3404 and is open from sunup to sundown.

Well as it turns out Holland Park provided me with many a first over the years. My first Flicker, my first Sandpiper, my first Merganser, my first White Peacock, my first wild parakeets, my first Yellow-crowned Night Heron, my first juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron, My first Grey Kingbird..

Other birds I have seen at Holland Park are Eurasian-collared Doves, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, Red-bellied Sapsucker and Downy Woodpeckers, a variety of Warblers. I have seen Osprey, Mafnificent Frigatebirds, Green Herons, Great Blue Herons, Little Herons and a few Sparrows.

Other wildlife I have seen are Squirrels & raccoons, Silk Spiders, and Blue Crabs and Bunnies. Not to mention the Dolphins and fish.

This quiet little park on the intercoastal has provided me with hours of birding pleasure and wildlife exploration. There are lots of plants and trees many of which flower and produce fruit. And the birds......well they just keep coming. I never know what I will find at this delightful little park on Johnson Street.

THE PLACES I GO

THE PLACES I GO

While there is a partial list of the places I go on the side of this blog. It isn't a complete list. Some of the places don't have their own WebPages and so I haven't included them in that area.

As I have said before in my previous post I keep to local sites in and around Hollywood, FL but do visit other places from time to time. Today’s Post will cover a few of the local places that are nearby.

One of my favorite places to go is Holland Park at 801 Johnson Street, Hollywood, Fl. 33020. This is a marvelous 23-acre park along the intercoastal waterway where you can enjoy a quiet eco-walk on a nature trail or have a picnic or just sit and enjoy the boats going up and down the intercoastal. There are also bike trails and Kayaking Lessons and a boat ramp. There are two pavilions, picnic facilities, bicycle path, nature trails, a waterfront overlook, and a waterfront observation tower.

This park is a favorite of mine and has provided me with many lifer additions to my lifer bird list and much enjoyment as I discover what this park has to offer. If I just want to run out for a couple of hours this is one of the places I go. Sometimes though the no-see-ums can ruin a gal’s fun, so make sure you take along some bug spray if you are planning to go there in the summer.

Snake Warrior's Island Natural Area,3600 S.W. 62nd Ave., Miramar, FL 33023 Open: Monday through Sunday 7:30am – Dusk - This 53.3 acre Natural Habitat is great place to observe wading birds and ducks, wood storks, little blue and tricolored herons, white ibis, and osprey. I have also seen both Cormorants and Anhinga fishing, hawks flying as well as a Kingfisher and a small group of killdeer. They say there are 120 species of birds there so I have my work cut out for me trying to seeing them all. I have also seen several species of Warblers there in the little Oak filled area north of the parking lot.

The trail is a 1650 foot concrete Boardwalk and there are interpretive signs along the way telling about the history of the area which is all very interesting. Oh I forgot mention the important part the benches along the way so you can sit and enjoy watching the birds and other flora and fauna. Oh and let’s not forget about all the butterflies you can see there. The first time I went the ground was filled with white peacock butterflies. What a site to see!

This trail though, is mostly in the sun and mostly used by walkers and joggers and a few people on bikes so watch out for them. I don’t see too many birders out there but I hear tell they do go there. They probably utilize the place during the week when I am working.

Anne Kolb Nature Center 751 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, FL 33019 (954)-926-2480 is a 1,500 acre wetland mangrove forest habitat for wading birds and other wildlife, this nature center features wildlife viewing areas, narrated boat tours, exhibit trails, an Intracoastal fishing pier, a five story observation tower, and an environmental exhibit hall and my favorite a Butterfly Garden. Although I have not had much luck with birds there, (except for the day I found several Warblers feeding in a tree) I love to go there to photograph Butterflies and Dragonflies.

Secret Woods Nature Center , 2701 W. State Rd. 84, Dania, FL 33312. (954) 791-1030. Is a 56 acre park which opened in September 1978, and I have been enjoying its beauty since I moved here to FL in 1983. Although I don't see many birds here I have seen some interesting sites from time to time. Vultures like to roost in the parking lot at night and I got there early enough one morning to see them still in their beds.

Secret Woods has two nature trails. The Laurel Oak Trail is a mulched trail that is 1,200 feet long. It has several seating areas along the way for you to stop and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you. Now I must admit I haven't used this trail much in fact I haven't been on it in years. Guess I should give it a try again huh?

I do however frequent The New River Trail which consists of a boardwalk made almost entirely of recycled plastic lumber that winds its way out to the shore of the South Fork of the New River. It is 3,200 feet long and has several rest stops and observation points along the way.

A recent new addition to this park is a butterfly garden which I now also frequent quite often and you will see many pictures take from here.

So these are a few of my favorite places to go locally especially if I am short on time and just want to get out for a couple of hours (giggling) which usually ends up being 4 or more. I have never been out for just 2 hours.