| If you love wildlife, plan a trip to the J.N. "Ding" Darling | | | | During your visit to the Refuge, you can view wildlife |
| National Wildlife Refuge at Sanibel Island on your visit | | | | along a five mile Wildlife Drive that carries you through |
| to Florida's Southwest coast. This beautiful | | | | the mangrove forest and tidal flats by car. There are |
| undeveloped refuge is among the top ten birding spots | | | | also three trails you can access from the Wildlife Trail, |
| in the U.S. It is easy to access and features a unique | | | | including a 4-mile trail and two ΒΌ mile trails. Shell |
| ecosystem that supports a wide variety of birds, | | | | Mound Trail is an interpretive boardwalk that's |
| reptiles, fish and other animals. | | | | universally accessible. |
| The location of Ding Darling NWR is the key to its | | | | On a drive or trail visitors can view and photograph |
| abundant and unique wildlife viewing opportunities. | | | | native vegetation including beautiful flowers, vines, |
| Sanibel Island acts as a subtropical barrier in the Gulf | | | | berry plants and of course, impressive mangrove |
| of Mexico, so it is ideally situated to attract migratory | | | | trees. There are many interesting insects and |
| bird populations. | | | | butterflies, as well. Some of the wildlife you may |
| The Refuge is at the crux where temperate climate | | | | encounter includes alligators, snakes, turtles, bobcats |
| mixes with tropical climate, sea meets land and | | | | and raccoons. |
| saltwater blends with freshwater. The result is an | | | | Birding is a primary attraction at Ding Darling NWR, |
| estuary that includes an undeveloped mangrove | | | | Sanibel Island for good reason. If you're interested in |
| ecosystem: Food for wildlife abounds under the shelter | | | | viewing migratory birds including songbirds, plan your |
| of mangrove trees and in sea grass meadows and | | | | trip to coincide with the spring and fall migration periods. |
| mudflats. | | | | From October through April, you can view thousands |
| The visitor center at Ding Darling NWR is a great | | | | of different birds as they feed in the mudflats at low |
| place to learn about the Refuge ecosystems, plants | | | | tide. |
| and wildlife you'll discover during your visit. You can | | | | Diving, swimming and wading birds are all active and |
| also learn about the history of the Refuge and the | | | | visible at the mudflats. Various herons, storks, egrets, |
| man who worked to make it a reality, "Ding" Darling. | | | | pelicans, cormorants, ospreys and bald eagles are just |
| There is a hands-on area at the Education Center for | | | | a few of the many, many birds you may encounter at |
| children. | | | | Ding Darling Refuge on Sanibel Island. |