Description:
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- Ferdinand State Forest is primarily located on
upland sites dominated by central hardwood forest, consisting of
various oaks, hickories, maples, tulip, poplar, ash, sassafras, black
gum, and others. Also found throughout the forest are cypress and an
abundance of various pine species. The understories are usually
occupied by dogwood, maple, greenbrier, and numerous woodland annuals
and perennials. This is unglaciated hill country characterized by
short, steep slopes often broken by relatively flat benches and rocky
bluffs. Most of the forest is located on the rougher slopes and ridges
of the area.
Maps are readily available at the office or at the self-registration
camping sites. Although the following description highlights just a few
areas of the property, a good variety of birds can be observed all
along the main road that goes the length of the forest.
Upon entering the front gate follow the paved road 0.25 miles to a
small parking area on the right, located at FL3. There is a small creek
located here making it good for Louisiana Waterthrush. This area also
has good habitat for warblers, tanagers, Barred Owls, and Wild Turkey.
Continuing on this road will take you to the 43-acre lake. An
assortment of waterfowl can be seen here at the appropriate time of
year, along with Common Loons, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, shorebirds, and
herons. Songbirds found at this location include orioles, Pine
Warblers, vireos, and swallows.
Further down the road, at the second right past the boat ramp, is a
rock road. On the right side of this rock road is a good area for
Yellow Breasted Chats, Yellow Warblers, flycatchers, vireos, and
sparrows. At the end of this road is a brushy area that in the fall is
productive for a variety of sparrows.
Before reaching the beach area, there is a road that branches off the
main road and goes up a steep hill. This area can be good for warblers,
including Cerulean and Worm-eating, as well as Broad-winged Hawks.
Continuing straight will lead to another rock road that is excellent
for Hooded Warblers and American Redstarts. Continuing even farther
down this road (past the rock road), there is a road on the left that
leads to the fire tower. The fire tower area is good for tanagers,
Hooded Warblers, and Worm-eating Warblers.
- Typical Time to Bird Site: 1-2 Hours
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Birds:
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- Overview:
- Ferdinand State Forest is known for its great
diversity of habitat and good variety of birds. Warblers, vireos,
thrushes, and sparrows are among the most common bird families that can
be observed here.
- Specialty Species:
- There are great opportunities for observing Worm-eating
, Hooded , and Cerulean Warblers
, all of which nest in the forest. Ferdinand State Forest is certainly
among the most reliable locations in the state to find nesting Pine
Warblers . All of these warblers arrive in mid-April and are
best observed beginning at this time.
- Noteworthy Records:
- Black-throated Blue Warbler -
(21-Sep-1997); (08- May-1999)
Black-billed Cuckoo - (30-Sep-1997)
Brewster's Warbler - (13-May-1997);
(22-Sep-1997)
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