Marl Bed Flats Lake Jesup Conservation Area

This is a great birding site recommended by the Orange County and Seminole County Audubon Society. It’s easy to find, just follow the directions from Map Quest or from the web page.
The property has a small parking area. An unpaved road (follow the tire marks) leads through a older mixed forest of pine, oak and palm out to the shore of Lake Jesup. Most of the flats are used as cattle range. Walking gets rough once you near the shoreline, the muck chopped up under the weight of heavy animals.
Plan to spend 2 hours or more. The shoreline offers opportunities to spot many birds – our list for today includes white pelican, solitary sandpiper, blacknecked stilt, large numbers of glossy ibis, white ibis, red-​tailed hawk, red bellied woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, snowy egret, great egret, great blue heron, blue winged teal, coot, boat-​tailed grackle, red-​winged blackbird, palm warbler, a few more.
No bathroom or picnic facilities on the site.
Bring binoculars, bird book, water. Beware of alligators.