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Posted by Toe on 10:19:06 08/07/12
In Reply to: Re: Birding with Zest at the Sod Farms posted by Roger King
Take Okeechobee Road (US-27) past the Broward/Palm Beach line and look for a very large tower on the west side. Shortly after the tower you will see a sign on the east side for King's Ranch. This is usually where the first good fields start. A little farther north look for 827A going east. This will take you into Belle Glade. Watch for any good, wet fields on either side whenever you're in that area. In Belle Glade, Look for Ave. G to link with CR-880 going east. At almost 6 miles you will see Brown's Farm Road on your right. This road runs SE with a canal on your left. The only good field here was on the right side, but in other years there have been good fields across the canal on your left. Heading back on Brown's Farm Rd, take 880 east a short distance (~200 yards) and pull over first chance you get. There will be extensive sod fields where we counted 25 Upland Sandpipers at long distance. Last year there were Buff-breasteds here as well. Continuing east on 880 look for Gladeview Road. Head south and look for west fields on your right. Sod field without water are good for the grasspipers like Upland or Buff-breasted, but there will be other species as well. West fields are where we find most other species. Conditions change rapidly in that area, since these are working farms that are constantly being plowed, flooded, drained, and planted, so just keep your eyes open for any fields that look good for shorebirds.
If you've never been up there, your best bet is to go on the TAS trip on September 1st. I would recommend going up there with someone you knows the area before attempting it on your own. A spotting scope is a must.
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