Recent Sights at Briggs

In the last two weeks, we’ve seen a bunch of nifty things at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Briggs Boardwalk [see end of story for directions and visitor tips]. Here are some of those nifty things we have seen:

Tree Swallows Flocking

Heather Williamson, who serves on Friday’s Team of Briggs Boardwalk volunteers, took this video of a large flock of tree swallows filling the sky at the overlook on the walk. Briggs Boardwalk is the site of sometimes thousands [yes, I really mean thousands] of tree swallows swooping by your very head. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

Bobcat and Otter Eyeing Each Other

We see bobcats and river otters fairly often at Briggs. Usually, it’s in the early morning hours. This time, Ilse Holler of our Monday Team of volunteers found both animals on the boardwalk looking carefully at each other — that is when the otter was able to tear itself away from stretching and preening! The otter sure seemed casual about the bobcat’s presence.

From both animals: “I’m watchin’ you!”

Looking closer, Ilse took these photos:

“Oh how I itch!”

Our friend is straight out of the water this time

To Ilse from bobcat: “Wadda you lookin at?”

Beautiful Spoonbill Palling Around with Beautiful White Ibis

We have seen spoonbills nearly every day lately from the overlook at Briggs. The spoonbill palling around with a white ibis were photographed by Monday Team member Katie Margolis.

Two birds not of the same feathers discussing no doubt the bountiful fishing on the pond

How can you not marvel at a bird that has a spoon at the end of its beak?

Now our friend has been joined by a snowy egret!!!

Now a whole crowd of birds have come to see the funny yet beautiful bird with a spoon at the end of its beak!

How to Get to Briggs and What to Take

Briggs Boardwalk is an offsite program offered by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The walk is open dawn to dusk every day of the year and is free to all. It is one-half mile long, elevated, has a high covered platform overlooking a large brackish pond, and has signs along the walk that provide you with a self-guided tour of six classic Florida habitats. The Conservancy provides guides to the walk every morning (weather permitting) from January through March. The guides also provide a birding telescope on the platform and help visitors spot birds and other animals.

Briggs Boardwalk can be reached from the north by taking County Road 951 south from either I75 or US41. When you have travelled 2.7 miles south of US41, turn right on Shell Island Road. If you are coming from Marco Island, take Co. Road 951 north and turn left onto Shell Island Road immediately past the entrance to Fiddler’s Creek. Go in about a mile until you see a building with a flagpole on the right. Park in the parking lot and follow the signs and wood chipped path to the back of the building where the entrances to the walk are found. It’s best to bring water, bug spray, sun block, a hat, and binoculars.