Kapok Park
Described mid-March, 2009
Kapok park is tucked away behind a nice residential area just off of McMullen Booth Road. Just before you get to Drew going south watch out for a small brown sign directing you to make a right from the southbound lane. Follow the signs briefly down small roads to a parking area. The park is meticulously maintained with easy walking paths. There are at least 4 major water / marsh areas that contain all sorts of bird life and even a couple of otters. This time of year seems particularly suited for the Limpkins.
The last several times I was there you could hear them call from all directions and their mating ritual was quite evident and easy to spot. Lots of wings flapping, jumping high in the air and loud calls. People do not seem to bother them : they have too much else on their mind.
Just a quick list of other birds at Kapok: Grebes, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Black crowned night herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Sandhill Cranes, Great Horned Owl, Gadwalls, Limpkins, Redwinged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, Coots, Moorhens, Mallards, Mottled, Grackles, Cardinals, Ospreys, Ibis, Starlings, Red shouldered hawks, Anhingas, etc., etc. etc.
The park also has very nice boardwalks above the marsh areas making it perfect for viewing and photographing the birds. The mornings, especially for me, are the best.
If I am not mistaken the western most part of the park actually backs up to Cliff Stevens Park near Moccasin Lake and you could bicycle or walk to it, although I have not yet done it.
Dog walkers seem to like this park as well and it seems to be very dog friendly with bags and water provided at the parking area.
