Celery Fields Field Trip

Celery Fields has 400 acres of open marshlands, deep ponds, shallow pools, and canals edged by oaks, willows, and pines on the eastern and southern boundaries.  The deepest ponds are in the North Cells fed by the Fruitville Road entry canal. Those deep ponds channel water to the Central Cells west of the big hill. Then water flows under Palmer Boulevard into the South Cells and out southward into Phillippi Creek. 246 bird species have been recorded. Wintertime offers particularly good birding, hosting sparrows, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, and several species of rails, including Sora and Virginia.  Breeding birds  include Black-necked Stilts, King Rail, Least Bittern, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Barn Owl and Eastern Meadowlark. Least Terns breed on nearby buildings and use the ponds as a primary food source.