Amy,
I birded Ding Darling and Sanibel Island last July and although not the best
time of year to be there it was a great trip. The refuge has a $5.00
entrance fee and is open from sunrise to sunset except on Fridays when it is
closed to all public access. If possible try to catch both tides and bird
the whole Island. I did not see any Smooth-billed Anis on my trip and I
suspect you would have better luck finding them farther south around the
Everglades. They do have two canoe trails that go through the mangroves, but
I did not have time to try them out. I did take a side trip north about 70
miles to the Oscar Scherer State Park at Osprey, FL to view the Florida
Scrub Jay, most have been netted and banded and are very cooperative, there
is also a chance of seeing the Red-cockaded Woodpecker here. Good Luck and
watch out for the Alligators!!!


?Fate succumbs many a species:
one alone jeopardizes itself.?
- W. H. Auden

Kerry Turley <><
304 E. Woodin Rd.
Sunnyside, WA 98944
ICQ# 9396464
http://users.bentonrea.com/~kdturley/