Pumpkin Hill Preserve - A Location for the Season

.(The Rare American White Pelican)

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(White Pelicans in Pumpkin Hill Preserve)

Date: Sunday, October 26, 2008

Time: 7 am

Length: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Intermediate/Moderate

Location: Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve; 13804 Pumpkin Hill Road. (An option is to meet at Queen's Harbour Real Estate Office Parking Lot and car pool to)

Leader: Lisa Beardsley

Gear: Be sure to bring your binoculars, plenty to drink, sun screen, bug spray and don't forget a hat and lunch. Also have your Coast Guard regulated PFD and whistle!

Cost: At this time, there is no cost to use the park, although a day use fee may be implemented as they have just upgraded the canoe/kayak launch site.

TRIP INFORMATION:

We will meet at the Queen's Harbour Real Estate office parking lot and carpool to the launch site as it is somewhat difficult to find. We should be at the dock by 8 am, get our gear ready and launch as soon as possible. High tide is around 8am and low tide will be around 2:15 pm so tides should not be a problem for this trip. This will be the first time at this location, so be ready for some adventure and exploration.

SITE FACTS/INFORMATION:

Pumpkin Hill Preserve covers 3,895 acres and adjoins the Timucuan Ecological Preserve, the Nassau River and the St. John's River Marsh Aquatic Preserve.

This area is one of the largest contiguous zones of uplands left in Duval County, and include mesic flat woods, xeric hammock, scrubby flat woods, dome swamp, tidal marshes, cypress domes and four different creek and marsh systems.

This is an extremely ecologically significant area. Wildlife viewing should be abundant and there will be many scenic natural Florida views!

The park is open from 8am until Sunset.

This will be the clubs first time at this location, so be ready for some exploring and adventure.

DIRECTIONS:

From either I-95 or State Road 9A, exit east onto Hecksher Drive. Turn left onto New Berlin Road. At a sharp right in the road, turn right onto Cedar Point Road. Turn left on Pumpkin Hill Road. Follow the road to the end to reach the launch site.

For more information:Call Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park at (904) 696-5980.

Please click "comment" below and leave a post if you are interested in participating.

See you on the water.


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