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Alachua Audubon Field Trip: Duval Audubon-Camp Blanding

  • When: Sunday, September 22, 2024,  7:45 am -  2:00 pm
  • Location: East of the Main Gate of Camp Blanding (follow directions in description)
  • Cost: free

This event is hosted by Duval Audubon who kindly invited us Alachuans to participate in a very unique opportunity. Camp Blanding WMA is 56,197 acres located in western Clay County, east of Starke. The northern half of the area is planted pine plantations with remnant mature pines that support Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Bottomland hardwood forests occur along the headwaters of Black Creek. The southern half of the area includes several thousand acres of sandhills, with plentiful white-tailed deer and turkey. Our main purpose for this trip is to visit a cluster site and learn about the life of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Other birds we will look for: Red-headed Woodpecker, Kestrel, Sandhill Cranes, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Northern Bobwhite quail. Visiting the Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers is usually 2-3 hours. We will then proceed to travel across to Camp Blanding where we will visit the many lakes and learn about the water systems of Camp Blanding and look for waterfowl. This optional activity usually wraps up around 1-2 pm. We are meeting at the intersection of Barker Rd and US-16 at 8:00 am, across the street from the main entrance of Camp Blanding Joint Training Center.

Please don't be late, the gates will be locked after entry. Once we sign in and drive into the WMA, there will not be another restroom.
Do not go to the Camp Blanding main entrance! Follow the directions below to our meeting spot:

Coming from Jacksonville:
Take Blanding Blvd (SR21) south through Orange Park, and Middleburg. Continue south on SR 21 until you get to the intersection of SR 16 and SR 21. Turn Right (Heading west). Go approximately 4 miles to Barker Road (north side of road, just east of the main gate of Camp Blanding). We will meet there, then figure out riding options.

Coming from Starke: Take SR 16 east from Starke. Continue East until you reach Camp Blanding past the junction of CR230 and CR 225 (From Lawtey). Pass the Sunoco Gas station on the right. Go approximately 1 mile, turn LEFT onto Barker Road (FWC - Camp Blanding WMA sign - Green in color). There is a gate there, it will be open for the group.
From Keystone Heights:
Take CR 21 (Blanding Blvd) NORTH until you hit SR 16 and SR 21. Turn LEFT, Go approximately 4 miles to Barker Road (north side of road -- on the right as you are going west on SR 16). This will be just east of the main gate of Camp Blanding.

There is no fee, but everyone will need proper picture ID – e.g. driver’s license to get into Camp Blanding. Bring your binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, snacks and plenty of water. Please plan to carpool or join the carpool at Camp Blanding.

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