Our trails are WILD this wet season!
The water is here!
The number one question we are getting, whether by phone, email, or social media, is “are the trails wet?”
The answer is a resounding YES!
After such a dry end to our winter season, June brought us a refreshing dose of rain – over 20 inches. That’s a lot of rain!
And while it has meant a change in some of our visitor’s hiking plans, we are excited about the rain for a lot of reasons. The main reason is that, when you visit, you get to see our watershed at work.
The water that you see on the CREW Marsh Trails and Cypress Dome Trails is doing exactly what we want it to do – slowly move south through all of the vegetation on the CREW Project’s 60,000 acres, giving the water ample time to seep through the limestone and recharge our aquifer. And that means more water for us, the residents of Southwest Florida, and the plants and animals that call the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed home.
We hope you’ll enjoy a few wet walks on our trails this summer and would love to see your pictures on our CREW Land & Water Trust Facebook Page! Or tag us on Instagram. See you on the trails!
Construction closes Bird Rookery Swamp June 12-30
Frequent Bird Rookery Swamp visitors, we have some really good news.
The South Florida Water Management District will replace a section of the boardwalk this month.
Construction is scheduled to begin June 12 (Monday) and conclude June 30. The area will be an active construction site and no visitors or volunteers will be able to access the trails. The gates will be locked.
For updates on construction and when the boardwalk will re-open, please follow our CREW Land & Water Trust Facebook page or our Bird Rookery Swamp Facebook page.
We hope you will visit one of our two other trail systems, CREW Marsh Trails and the Cypress Dome Trails, while we wait for Bird Rookery Swamp to re-open.
It’s time to recharge
— by Anne Reed
Today we went for a walk.
We weren’t leading a program, or assisting on a field trip. We weren’t removing invasive plants or trimming back brush around trail signs.
We were scouting the Marsh trails, trying to devise a different way to mark them other than names on signs. We scheduled ourselves to be out of the office for the morning on and headed out and just walked.
But by the end, though, it was more than a walk.
I’m not sure if you experience this but for me, getting out on the trails leaves me feeling rooted. Grounded.
Walking with someone and sharing that experience, the feeling of just being that you get when you get outside, it fosters conversations. And if you are alone, it makes for great conversation inside your head.
So what was unique today?
As we rounded the bend on the Pine Flatwoods trail, we saw mud.
MUD. GLORIOUS MUD.
Why did that mud make us so excited, so giddy?
Because that means our water is coming back. That means that water is flowing south and if we are seeing it at the Marsh trails, it will slowly make its way through the Corkscrew Marsh and on down to Bird Rookery Swamp. Rainy season is whispering its arrival, teasing us with a few showers here and there as the humidity creeps up.
We’re ready to recharge.
We read and say, all the time, that we need water to recharge our aquifer.
Being out there, though, and really seeing it – that’s something completely different. As we walked and we had actual stretches of water to walk around, there was this feeling of anticipation. Not just within myself, but all around. As if everything, from the sawgrass to the trees to the wildflowers, was holding its breath, ready and waiting for those beautiful afternoon thunderstorms to sweep through and bring growth, renewal.
In a way, May is not just a recharging time for the lands within the CREW Project, but a way for us to recharge as well. Our busy season is over, traffic is lighter and as the temperatures creep up, everyone slows down.
Today was just one of those rare days when sunshine, good company, a nice breeze and little bit of mud were the the prefect combination to leave us feeling grounded, rooted and a bit recharged.
Want to see this what we saw today? At the Marsh Trails, take the Pine Flatwoods trail to the Alternative Marsh Loop, to the Observation Tower, then out to the Popash Slough.
We do need a lot more rain, but it does feel nice to see the water slowly making its return.
Tuesday’s Critter Count from Bird Rookery Swamp
Check out yesterday’s count from the almost 13 miles of trail at Bird Rookery Swamp!
BIRDS
Wood Stork – 42
Anhinga – 25
Great Blue Heron – 8
Great Egret – 53
Snowy Egret – 11
Cattle Egret – 2
Little Blue Heron – 2
Tri-Colored Heron – 1
Black-crowned Night Heron – 22
Yellow-crowned Night Heron – 1
White Ibis – 5
Black Vulture – 68
Turkey Vulture – 28
Swallow-tailed Kite – 7
Red-shouldered Hawk – 39
Mourning Dove – 4
Common Ground Dove – 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – 3
Barred Owl – 3
Chimney Swift – 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 46
Pileated Woodpecker – 11
Great-crested Flycatcher – 18
Carolina Wren – 48
White-eyed Vireo – 21
Blue Jay – 1
Fish Crow – 2
Tufted Titmouse – 14
Gray Catbird – 16
Northern Mockingbird – 2
Common Yellowthroat – 1
Black-and-white Warbler – 1
Northern Parula – 3
Northern Cardinal – 23
Common Grackle – 2
BUTTERFLIES
Palamedes Swallowtail – 54
Tiger Swallowtail – 11
Zebra Longwing – 4
White Peacock – 29
Viceroy – 4
Gulf Fritillary – 1
Common Buckeye – 2
Red Admiral – 1
Phaon Crescent – 8
Great Southern White – 3
Cassius Blue – 1
Brazilian Skipper – 1
Palatka Skipper – 2
DRAGONFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 8
Great Blue Skimmer – 1
Blue Dasher – 3
Band-winged Dragonlet – 6
Halloween Pennant – 4
REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 246
Brown Anole – 1
Red-bellied Turtle – 4
Banded Water Snake – 1
Green Treefrog – 1
MAMMALS
Raccoon – 5
White-tailed Deer – 1
Gray Squirrel – 1
How to make your wildlife observations count
For me, it started with something as simple as an odd bird call.
We heard the loud call at dusk and tiptoed into the backyard. I turned on my phone to record the sound and shushed the kids, afraid we would scare away the bird.
(apologies for the video being sideways- I was a bit excited)
A quick text to a birding friend revealed it was a Chuck-will’s-widow and, while it was new to us, it wasn’t as uncommon as we thought. A little curiosity about our backyard resident led to a bit of research and learning for our family. I added the bird to my lifetime birding list (which is admittedly shorter than I’d like it to be). The experience certainly meant something to my family but, beyond observation, would it count to anyone else?
Making our wildlife observations count is the topic of the CREW Trust’s final Strolling Science Seminar this season. Dr. Win Everham will lead us along the trail at Bird Rookery Swamp in Naples for a hands-on learning experience.
Our everyday observations can be scientific and can help conservation efforts. It’s just a matter of knowing how.
One of our volunteers, Tom Mortenson, wanted to learn more about the wildlife in his new Florida home. He set up game cameras, similar to those he had up north, on parts of the CREW Project. That led to his first images of Florida panthers and he now submits the data he collects to the FWC panther biologists. His curiosity led to his contributions as a citizen scientist.
From backyard calls to uncommon sightings, your observations count.
Want to learn how you can also be a citizen scientist? Join us on April 29 at 9 a.m. Tickets are $15 for members, $25 for non-members, and must be purchased in advance (eventbrite.com).
A few tips for geocaching with kids
At last week’s family fun day, two of our volunteers taught my children how to geocache. We decided Spring Break was the perfect time to hit the trails and get a little lost in the woods. Thinking of doing some geocaching of your own, maybe with kids or grand kids? I’ve got a few suggestions that might make your trip go more smoothly.
- Download a geocaching app on your smartphone. We used Geoacaching which was very user-friendly; I opted to purchase a one month subscription. You can also get the coordinates from a geocaching website, like geocaching.com. The smart phone app was nice because it helped me lure the teens into going with us.
- Wear long pants and long socks. This seems like common sense but my 7 year old was more than happy to wear a pink fluffy skirt and her ladybug rain boots. After tromping off the trails and searching for our first two caches she understood why long pants were a better option.
- Let the kids do the leading and the finding – within reason. I insisted on being in the front whenever we ventured off the trails and everyone followed that rule. But once the app alerted us that we were close, I let the kids take over and start searching for the caches.
Make sure you bring trinkets. Some caches have goodies inside and the kids can take something, like a really gorgeous marble, and leave one of their trinkets behind. Also bring a pen to sign your name on the list in the cache, and have the kids come up with a cool geocaching name for your group.- Set a reasonable goal. I said we would try to find four caches, and after our third one (which was a bit difficult, but probably our best memory of the day) the kids were ready to go home. I reminded them of our goal and we trudged on, finding two more caches on our way back to the trail head.
6. Bring water and snacks. A stack of graham crackers can be a lifesaver after you spend twenty minutes off-trail and end up on a service road (that you could have taken the whole time).
7. Be ready to get lost. Not really lost, just enough that the children start to doubt that you actually know what you are doing. My favorite memory of our first geocaching trip was the kids complaining about how certain they were that we were lost. I may have accidentally taken us very far off course but the end was worth it. The cache was in the middle of a beautiful cypress dome and I’d like to think they were thankful (but see tip #6 about why you should bring snacks).
8. Have fun. We identified wildflowers along the way, spotted a lot of lubbers on one section of the trail and definitely learned what poison ivy looked like (and tried to avoid it). Even the complaining was fun mainly because it made me laugh.
So, how much fun did we have? The kids asked to go again. And no one got poison ivy.
Interested in learning how to geocache? Come to the Cypress Dome Trails on April 22 and learn how to geocache. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
You’re invited to our first annual Family Fun Day!
As part of our commitment to teaching people of all ages about our mission to protect the watershed and wildlife of the 60,000 acre CREW Project, the CREW Land & Water Trust will host its first annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Cypress Dome Trails, located just 15 minutes east of I-75 at 3980 Corkscrew Road, Immokalee FL 34142.
So, what exactly is going on, and why?
We are passionate about helping families connect with nature. So many students come to the trails on school field trips, and our hope is that they will return with their families. At the same time, we know from leading walks that many people need a guiding hand to help them reach the comfort level they need to walk the trails with family and friends.
On Saturday, when families arrive, children will receive a Nature Passport and travel to 10 different stations. They’ll measure their wingspan to see if they can reach as wide as an eagle, they’ll check out a camping demonstration in our primitive and private camping site, they’ll learn about the birds that might see on the CREW Trails and head out on a guided walk with one of our volunteer naturalists. On the walk, families will learn about the flora and fauna around them and hopefully become more comfortable on the trails and more interested in the ecosystems around them.
This event is free for members and $5 per family for non-members. You can register on eventbrite or at the event. Please wear appropriate footwear for sandy trails and bring water and snacks.
We hope to see you Saturday!
Hit the trails for National Walking Day
National Walking Day is the first Wednesday in April, and the CREW trails are a great place to get out and walk, no matter what your fitness level may be. Check out our suggestions for a few spots to celebrate with some fresh air and sunshine.
CREW Marsh Trails
Location: 4600 Corkscrew Road (CR 850), Immokalee, FL 34142. Approximately 20 minutes east of I-75.
Cost: Free; donations accepted
Difficulty: Easy
Wear: Closed toed shoes and socks
Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars and cameras
Take a stroll on wide, hard-packed, mowed trails to the observation tower, where you can view the 6000 acre sawgrass marsh that helps clean the water that flows south and replenishes our aquifer. On the way to the tower, you will travel through pine flatwoods and an oak hammock. You may see butterflies, dragonflies, swallow tailed kites, red shouldered hawks, palm warblers, gopher tortoises and wildflowers in bloom. Approximate distance: 1.4 miles to the tower and back to the parking lot.
Cypress Dome Trails
Location: 3980 Corkscrew Road (CR 850), Immokalee, FL 34142. Approximately 15 minutes east of I-75.
Cost: Free; donations accepted
Difficulty: Medium
Wear: Closed toed shoes and socks
Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars and cameras
Start on the yellow loop from the parking lot and follow it around to the green loop. You’ll walk through pine flatwoods, cypress domes and you can stop to rest on a small bench overlooking one of our seasonal marshes. The end of the green loop takes you past Jim’s Pavilion, a great spot to sit and enjoy a snack or lunch. You may see butterflies, red shouldered hawks, wildflowers, warblers, woodpeckers, yellow rat snakes and box turtles. Approximate distance: 2.4 miles; if the distance is too much, use one of the two blue short cut trails.
Bird Rookery Swamp Trail
Location: 1295 Shady Hollow Blvd., Naples, FL 34120
Cost: Free; donations accepted
Difficulty: Hard
Wear: Closed toed shoes and socks
Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars and cameras
Become a “Looper” and hike the entire loop at Bird Rookery Swamp! You’ll walk on wide, grassy raised trams and share the trail with wildlife, including alligators, otters, banded water snakes, red bellied turtles, barred owls, roseate spoonbills, egrets and more. Approximate distance: 13 miles; if the distance is too much, head back to the parking lot before you begin to feel tired. The loop may take six or more hours; it is very important to bring food and water with you and to check your energy levels often to determine if you can make the full loop or not. as there are no shortcut trails.
What you might see at Bird Rookery Swamp this week
On Wednesday, March 22, volunteer Dick Brewer walked the trails at Bird Rookery Swamp and sent us his wildlife observations.
If you are planning on visiting Bird Rookery Swamp this weekend, trail conditions are very dry and water levels are low. Below are Dick’s observations along with photos by Dick and another volunteer, Bill Zaino.
Please note that there are no guarantees that you will see the same animals that were seen on March 22.
Bird Rookery Swamp observations
Wednesday, March 22
7:15 a.m. 3:25 p.m.
BIRDS
Anhinga – 23
Great Blue Heron – 4
Great Egret – 38
Little Blue Heron – 11
Tri-Colored Heron – 2
Green Heron – 5
Black-crowned Night Heron – 14
White Ibis – 31
Roseate Spoonbill – 4
Wood Stork – 17
Black Vulture – 117
Turkey Vulture – 33
Red-shouldered Hawk – 25
Common Ground Dove – 4
Mourning Dove – 4
Barred Owl – 3
Belted Kingfisher – 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 30
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 1
Downy Woodpecker – 3
Pileated Woodpecker – 7
Eastern Phoebe – 4
Great-crested Flycatcher – 6
Carolina Wren – 23
House Wren – 1
Blue Jay – 1
American Crow – 3
Tufted Titmouse – 16
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 12
Gray Catbird – 34
White-eyed Vireo – 24
Blue-headed Vireo – 1
Ovenbird – 1
Northern Waterthrush – 1
Black-and-white Warbler – 7
Common Yellowthroat – 6
Northern Parula – 10
Black-throated Green Warbler – 2
Palm Warbler – 15
Northern Cardinal – 13
Common Grackle – 2
BUTTERFLIES
Spicebush Swallowtail – 3
Palamedes Swallowtail – 18
Tiger Swallowtail – 1
Zebra Longwing – 42
Julia – 3
White Peacock – 62
Gulf Fritillary – 3
Viceroy – 2
Phaon Crescent – 10
Pearl Crescent – 1
Great Southern White – 1
Cassius Blue – 5
Tropical Checker – 3
Red-Waisted Florella Moth – 3
DRAGONFLIES
Eastern Pondhawk – 26
Needham’s Skimmer – 4
Blue Dasher – 8
REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS
Alligator – 139
Brown Anole – 2
Red-bellied Turtle – 20
Banded Water Snake – 1
MAMMALS
Gray Squirrel – 1
River Otter – 3
Raccoon – 2
Cottontail Rabbit – 1