Feature: Babcock/Webb WMA

If you're looking for a very rewarding wildlife experience away from the beaches in southwest Florida, the 80,335-acre Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area, a stop along the Great Florida Birding Trail, is a must see venue.

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

I made my mid-August 2010 and first arrival at the Red-cockaded Woodpecker colony on "north" Oilwell Grade at sunrise as recommended by my friend, Tom Obrock.

The colony's site and others within the BWWMA are easily identified by "RCW" signs along the roads and by white paint around the pines the woodpeckers nest in.

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

It was hoped to observe and photograph the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker whose range once extended into the states of New Jersey, Maryland, and Missouri, but no longer, with the woodpecker's population estimated to be a mere one percent of its original size.

I was rewarded with the sighting of several of the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, though was only able to photograph the closest, which allowed a view of its banding as it made the interesting behavior of leaving its nest cavity to peck at an adjacent pine tree very briefly before moving on.

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

At this spot I would observe in the next couple of hours four species of bird I had never seen before including Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Meadowlark, and Eastern Towhee.

Also seen were Loggerhead Shrike, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and an overflight of Sandhill Crane with the bird checklist for this venue viewable here.

The Loggerhead Shrike above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

In addition, I heard a yet to be seen Northern Bobwhite which there were two of or a solitary bird that made its way south by a couple hundred yards on the west side of Oilwell Grade.

I would spend the next two and a half hours exploring other areas of the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA while driving along Tram Grade and a side spur where I observed Northern Cardinal, Pine Warbler and an unidentified species of bird.

The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

"South" Oilwell Grade offered another unidentified species of bird that was in the middle of the road on my approach to its dead end and then in the same spot upon my return to Tucker Grade and then Webb Lake Road.

Webb Lake Road offers a wonderfully scenic view of Webb Lake with interpretive signs that highlight the WMA.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

At the end of Webb Lake Road I am quite confident I observed briefly, while regrettably wasn't able to photograph, an Orchard Oriole seen for the first time (chestnut belly, black head, back and tail feathers and appropriately sized for the species) as it worked its way north within the shrubbery at the edge of the lake, with this migratory species not on the WMA's bird checklist.

Also along Webb Lake Road I observed an Osprey and Great Blue Heron, both noticeably larger than any I've seen at beach venues.

The Eastern Towhee (Red-eyed) juvenile above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

Other species of bird observed at the lake included Tricolored Heron as well as an adult Little Blue Heron with juvenile.

There weren't any waterfowl observed on the lake that has possibilities of a dozen known species during this initial visit to BWWMA.

The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area permits periodic hunts and therefore should be investigated in advance here to ensure the area is avoided if visiting for other purposes.

There are other recreational opportunities including fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and camping.

The Brown-headed Nuthatch above was photographed at Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb WMA in August 2010.

A guided tram tour of portions of the wildlife area is also available at certain times.