Field Trip: T. M. Goodwin Wildlife Management Area & Broadmoor Marsh Unit

Date: Thursday, 16 January 2025

Location: T. M. Goodwin and Broadmoor Wetlands

Leader Names: Becky Loftus and Ann Esmas

Trip/area Description: As part of the floodplains of the Upper St. Johns River Basin, the area that is now the T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area was drained in the early 1900s to support growing vegetable crops and to use as pastureland for cattle. Beginning in the 1980s, the St. Johns River Water Management District has been acquiring this former farmland to restore the wetlands to provide habitat for wintering, migrating, and resident waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. The 6,270 acres of the T.M Goodwin WMA, which includes the Broadmoor Marsh Unit, now supports hunting, fishing, abundant wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. Two islands at the entrance to the area host a large nesting colony of wading birds in winter and spring, including Roseate Spoonbills. The open marsh habitat, mudflats and impoundments attract a good variety of duck species including Mottled Duck, Scaup, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, and Black-bellied Whistling-Duck late fall through winter. Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Wood Stork, Black-necked Stilt and other shorebirds, Snail Kite, Roseate Spoonbill and Northern Harrier are often seen. On this trip we will view the birds from vehicles by following the series of dikes around the impoundments.

We’ll stay at the parking lot for an hour to watch the wading-bird colony. When the Goodwin road opens at 0900h, we’ll proceed to the drive.

Duration of trip in hours: 4 hours

Walking distance: Minimal

Degree of difficulty, and any special instructions: Dusty sand roads. No restroom once on the drive. Bring water, snacks, binoculars and sunscreen.

Where you’d like participants to meet: Parking lot at the Stick Marsh. Take Road 507 north of Fellsmere to the entrance road to the Stick Marsh and drive west on the sand road to the parking lot.

Time of meeting: 8:00AM

Number of participants limit (either individuals, or vehicles if a driving tour): This field tirp requires car pooling once you reach the Stick Marsh - 4 vehicles on the drive so that the leaders can easily stay in contact and point out birds – no limit on passengers.

Host or Publisher Pelican Island Audubon Society