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Description:
Located on the
high, well-drained ridge of ancient sand dunes within the Lake Wales Ridge
State Forest, this fire-dependent scrub ecosystem supports at least 22 plant
and 15 animal species listed as endangered or threatened. A 0.5-mile nature
trail and a longer Florida Trail segment provide miles of excellent hiking
through pine flatwoods, pine and oak scrub, hammocks, sandhill communities
and unique cutthroat seeps. The cutthroat seep--dominated by cutthroat
grass--is a moist habitat that periodically dries out.
Watchable Wildlife:
The gopher tortoise,
Florida scrub-jay, and sand skink are typical scrub dwellers here. Look and
listen for brown-headed nuthatches, Bachman’s sparrows, red-bellied
woodpeckers and eastern bluebirds. Exercise caution during seasonal hunts
(from mid-October to mid-November.)
Ownership:
Florida Division of
Forestry
Contact:
(863) 635-7801
Directions:
From Frostproof,
turn east on CR 630 and travel 0.6 miles to Lake Reedy Blvd. Turn right and
go 4.5 miles to Arbuckle Road. Turn left and go 1.5 miles to Rucks Dairy
Road, a clay road. Turn right and travel for 1.5 miles to a split in the
road. Stay to the left on the clay road and travel another 2.5 miles to
check station and site entrance on right.
Related Sites:
Other Central Florida Wildlife Sites
Florida State
Parks |
Wildlife Viewing Site
