Wildlife
Wildlife at the Cove make it a tropical paradise!
Many species of birds and mammals visit daily. They can be seen from your lanai feeding in the bay and waiting for that perfect catch. The dolphins can be seen daily playing in the bay and the occasional visit of manatees, turtles, and even a porpoise make exciting viewing. Our regular visitors include: Egrets, Ibis, herons, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, osprey, bald eagles,
pelicans, sandpipers, sea gulls, cormorants, and mallards. Just down the bay is a seasonal home location for white pelicans which are a special treat to see sunning and in flight. Several years ago a sea otter stayed in our bay for an extended time and made regular meals from the bait buckets on the docks. This curious sea otter even came up the stairs from the common dock and jumped into the pool while some residents were there. It was quite the event. Each day brings new adventures at the Cove.
Nearby you can visit these parks for more wildlife and educational tours.
Ostego Bay Foundation is a marine science center and educational adventure for exhibits, aquariums and tours of the shrimp fleet. It is located only a short walk away on San Carlos Island.
ostegobay.org
Bowditch Point Park is a 17 acre county park with parking (limited), nature trails, less crowded natural beaches, gopher tortoises, a wider variety of birds, often dolphins in the boat channel, picnic areas, bathrooms, and even boat dock space for visitors. It is free and a short drive or reasonable bike ride from the Cove at the northernmost point of Estero Island.
http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/index.aspx?NID=106.
JN "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife habitat with alligators and every other type of Florida wildlife. Guided or self guided tours are available.
fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling
Manatee Park is a warm water refuge for Florida manatee. This facility is free, check the daily updated website for information on if the manatee are on site.
leegov.com/parks/facility?fid=0088
Many people don't realize that dolphins and porpoises are very different. Below is a short video that identifies 10 differences between these beautiful creatures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-UYrywY5Jw
Many species of birds and mammals visit daily. They can be seen from your lanai feeding in the bay and waiting for that perfect catch. The dolphins can be seen daily playing in the bay and the occasional visit of manatees, turtles, and even a porpoise make exciting viewing. Our regular visitors include: Egrets, Ibis, herons, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, osprey, bald eagles,
pelicans, sandpipers, sea gulls, cormorants, and mallards. Just down the bay is a seasonal home location for white pelicans which are a special treat to see sunning and in flight. Several years ago a sea otter stayed in our bay for an extended time and made regular meals from the bait buckets on the docks. This curious sea otter even came up the stairs from the common dock and jumped into the pool while some residents were there. It was quite the event. Each day brings new adventures at the Cove.
Nearby you can visit these parks for more wildlife and educational tours.
Ostego Bay Foundation is a marine science center and educational adventure for exhibits, aquariums and tours of the shrimp fleet. It is located only a short walk away on San Carlos Island.
ostegobay.org
Bowditch Point Park is a 17 acre county park with parking (limited), nature trails, less crowded natural beaches, gopher tortoises, a wider variety of birds, often dolphins in the boat channel, picnic areas, bathrooms, and even boat dock space for visitors. It is free and a short drive or reasonable bike ride from the Cove at the northernmost point of Estero Island.
http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/index.aspx?NID=106.
JN "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife habitat with alligators and every other type of Florida wildlife. Guided or self guided tours are available.
fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling
Manatee Park is a warm water refuge for Florida manatee. This facility is free, check the daily updated website for information on if the manatee are on site.
leegov.com/parks/facility?fid=0088
Many people don't realize that dolphins and porpoises are very different. Below is a short video that identifies 10 differences between these beautiful creatures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-UYrywY5Jw