The Binocular Site
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Located in Palm Beach County, Florida, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, and is the most northern stand of the precious Everglades ecosystem.
This vital area of wetlands was first designated as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1951, and covers over 220 square miles. In 1986 the refuge was renamed to honor the influential Everglades conservationist Arthur R. Marshall.
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge offers a a variety of typical Everglades habitats. Here you will find tree islands, sloughs, wet prairies, and a stand of Cypress swamp - one of the few Cypress swamps left to line the Everglades.
The refuge offers visitors numerous hiking trails including a boardwalk through the Cypress swamp. You can also use an extensive network of canoe trails that get you up close with the Everglades. The refuge is a hotbed of wildlife with over 250 species of birds recorded in the area.
You can expected to see Smooth-billed Ani, Limpkins, and Purple Gallinule in the swamp. If you are lucky you may even be able to see a Snail Kite, which is now endangered in the area.
The official Florida state bird is the Northern Mockingbird and you can find a checklist useful for birding in Florida here.
Photo credit to jrubinic, used with permission under the creative commons license. You can learn more about the wildlife and history of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge here.
If you've visited the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this Florida birdwatching location below.
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