Sanibel, FL – Located across a causeway from Fort Myers, the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel is home to the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge which boasts 6,400 acres of unique wetlands that are home to a wide variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, marine life and native plants. The refuge was created to safeguard and enhance the pristine wildlife habitat of Sanibel Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding, nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds. Today, the refuge provides important habitat to over 245 species of birds. There is a five mile paved road through the refuge.
The JN Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge is located on Sanibel Island.
Mike’s parents have a time share and visit Sanibel for a week every December and some years we are fortunate to be able to tag along. This was our first year to travel there via RV, which we parked at Woodsmoke Camping Resort while visiting the island. Usually we have flown into Fort Myers, the closest airport.
Sunset view from Mike’s parents condo
Through the years, Mike and I have visited the refuge numerous times via automobile. Our favorite way to visit is via bikes rented from Billy’s Rentals. We ride to/from and through the refuge. Billy’s bikes include a good sized front basket which easily holds my camera, binoculars, water and sunscreen. We also rent kayaks from the Tarpon Bay Explorers and paddle through mangrove estuaries. No matter how you choose to explore the “Ding,” as we call it, you will see a wide range of birds and wildlife.
We spotted this Alligator while riding the bike trail to the refuge
Exploring the mangrove estuaries by kayak
Kayaking is a great way to explore the refuge
We have spotted alligators, turtles, jumping fish, and even a pair of river otters crossing the road. Birds reliably seen include: Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Green Herons, Tri-Colored Herons, Reddish Egrets (though their numbers here are now quite low), Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibis, Anhingas, and White and Brown Pelicans. While kayaking, we often see Osprey and Double Crested Cormorants fishing. We have spotted Black-crowned Night Heron and the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. This past December we also spotted a Bald Eagle.
Alligator spotted from the Refuge road
Roseate Spoonbill
A Little Blue Heron eating a shrimp
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Reddish Egret
Snowy Egrets use their yellow feet as a fish lure
Another Roseate Spoonbill looks for lunch
Tri-Colored Heron
A Green Heron
An Anhinga dries its wings
Dunlin
White Pelicans resting in the afternoon sun
We also spend time at the beach which provides shorebird viewing opportunities. From Sanibel’s beaches you can reliably observe Gulls, Terns, Brown Pelicans, White Ibis, Snowy Egrets, Semi-palmated Plovers, Sandpipers, Willets, Plovers, and Sanderlings. It’s also a great place to find seashells.
Sanibel beach
White Ibis at the beach
Sanderling
Willet
Terns are often found in large groups
Seashells including a starfish on the Sanibel Beach
The JN “Ding” Darling is open every day except Fridays, regardless of holidays and admission is $5 per vehicle, $1 per pedestrian or bicycle. We recommend a visit to the Education Center which has very good displays on the diverse ecosystem and residents of the refuge. Sanibel Island offers several public beach access points. While you are on Sanibel, you may want to visit the lighthouse and stop for a bite to eat at our favorite haunt, Island Cow.
Sanibel’s lighthouse
