This site, formerly known as the Richloam State Fish Hatchery is tucked into the vast Green Swamp, just inside the Sumter County line. This state-of-the-art fish hatchery and research facility might seem an unlikely birding spot. Instead, its 60-plus ponds offer refuge to Great Blue, Little Blue and Tricolored Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons, White Ibis, Snowy Egrets and a number of wintering shorebirds such as Greater Yellowlegs and Wilson’s Snipe. Sandhill Cranes trumpet overhead, and the bordering forest shelters songbirds of many varieties like Brown-headed Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebirds and Summer Tanagers. Watch the shallow ponds for Wood Storks and Limpkins, and the entrance road for Wild Turkeys. Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Tree Swallows perform acrobatic displays over the ponds as they pursue insect prey. Many species of dragonfly can be found here as well such as Swamp Darner and Great Blue Skimmer. Take time to enjoy the impressive display aquarium; an overlook for watching fish production activities is also provided. Please call ahead to schedule group outings or student field trips.
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