Sanibel Island Competes for top Spot for Birding

Those of us who love birds have long  noted not just the variety of birds on Sanibel, but the easy access and observation of our birds.

More than 245 species of birds call the island home, with the majority of them residing in and around the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

And most are very visible from safe roads and without aids.

The Roseate Spoonbill , the icon of Sanibel, stands out like cotton candy at a fair ground.  Pink and fluffy and often in clusters both in the water and up in the trees, at two feet tall the Roseate is just one of our many , many birds that requires no binoculars to spot.

And many of our birds are large, comfortable with sightseers, close enough to photograph and most entertaining in their behavior.

Walk the paths near the bayous and you will see Herons, Egrets and White Pelicans in abundance.  Walk the beach and Piping Plovers, Brown Pelicans and several different varieties of gulls will keep you company.

Our Ibis are everywhere and readily identifiable because of their special long curved beaks.

The scree of osprey, hawks and eagles will alert you to their presence allowing you to see them before you hear them.

And now, it appears that birding is ramping up to make Sanibel as desirable a destination to watch birds as it is to collect shells. Sanibel is among 20 other destinations across the country in the running to claim the title, "Best Birdwatching Destination in the USA." The public poll is being conducted by USA Today.

And though we have never done a feather to feather comparison with our competition, we are willing to bet that some of the contenders require special licenses, added equipment and birding aids in order to see the winged residents of these areas.

So we are encouraging every one we know to vote for Sanibel as the top birding destination in the country.  You only need to click here http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-birdwatching/sanibel-island-fla/  daily to register your agreement that Sanibel is , indeed, for the birds!