Washington Oaks Field Trip

Where: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

When: Saturday, March 30

Time: 8 AM to noon

Location: Meet at the picnic grounds at the end of the road

We had a great chapter meeting this past Monday at the library in St. Augustine. About 20 people turned out to hear Washington Oaks park ranger Joe Woodbury give a talk on the Timucuan Indians, who lived in this area for about 2000 years. Joe truly made history come to life with great slides and hands-on artifacts.

We will actually see the area where many of these Indians lived when we go on our next field trip, to Washington Oaks itself. Washington Oaks is in Palm Coast, covering the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River.

At Washington Oaks you can walk along the beach, or explore their extensive trail system. You can walk the loop that explores the ecotone between the coastal maritime hammock and the estuarine tidal march along the Matanzas River, or explore a mature coastal maritime hammock, and venture into the edge of a dense canopied coastal scrub. Washington Oaks is a well-known spot for warblers and is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Check out their birding checklist, and feel free to print out a copy to bring along with you. It should be a wonderful day!