. Where to find birds and enjoy natural history in Florida. Birds. RALPH E. LAWRENCE The Mockingbird is the ofiicial state bird of Florida. Mejdco. It is well worth spending 15 minutes here to scan the horizon for passing Gannets, which are common in some winters but scarce in others. The road continues westward for 10 miles to Fort Pickens (toll gate charge of 50 cents per car). There is a large marsh pond just south of the last gun battery where ducks, coots and Clapper Rails may be seen, but there is little probability of finding additional bird species of interest. The old brick fort is a
. Where to find birds and enjoy natural history in Florida. Birds. RALPH E. LAWRENCE The Mockingbird is the ofiicial state bird of Florida. Mejdco. It is well worth spending 15 minutes here to scan the horizon for passing Gannets, which are common in some winters but scarce in others. The road continues westward for 10 miles to Fort Pickens (toll gate charge of 50 cents per car). There is a large marsh pond just south of the last gun battery where ducks, coots and Clapper Rails may be seen, but there is little probability of finding additional bird species of interest. The old brick fort is a point of much historic interest. EAST PASS—Leave Pensacola on U. S. Route 98, cross the Bay bridge and proceed eastward for about 36 miles to the city of Fort Walton Beach, cross the bridge to Santa Rosa Island and continue eastward on the island to the bridge over East Pass. Just before reaching the bridge, park at the side of the road. On sand bars within reasonable distance will be seen large numbers of gulls and terns. Double-crested Cormorants, and sometimes Brown Pelicans. Walk south along the beach and look for Snowy Plovers, pale little birds that are hard to see on the white sand. Keep an eye to seaward for passing Gannets—far out toward the horizon. Then drive across the bridge to the town of Destin and turn left over some of the back streets for the probability of finding Ground Doves. GARCON POINT—Drive eastward from Pensacola on U. S. Route 90 to the city of Milton (about 24 miles) and turn south on State Route 191 (a surfaced road). Drive about 12 miles to the end of the road on Garcon Point on the shore of Pensacola Bay. Walk east along the shore as far as the height of the tide will permit. Along the road, many of the common birds of the region will be found, especially several species of sparrows. In the heavy woods near the end of the road, the typical woodland birds may be seen. At the end of the road and along the shore, look for loons, grebes and some
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