Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

Not the traditional stop, but highly recommended, this Wild Bird Center is a rehabilitation operation, run on a shoestring budget. There is no entrance fee, but when you see how many birds they look after and what kinds of close-up photos you can get of the free-flying ‘freeloaders’ who come in a feeding time, you will feel it is well worth leaving a donation in the box.

There are cages of pelicans, herons, spoonbills and other recovering birds, but also many free-flying wading birds that gather at feeding time. A short walk leads you to a mangrove lagoon with great views of Black-necked stilts, Reddish egrets, Brown Pelican, White Ibis, and Great White Heron.

The sign for the Wild Bird Center is quite difficult to see. It is on the right side of the road as you are driving south, at Mile Marker 93.8, about nine miles south of the entrance to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

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