*** This cache is part of the Taking Flight GeoTour. Anyone can claim this cache, but to be eligible to receive a Taking Flight GeoTour prize tag, geocachers must complete the activities in this survey for at least 12 caches on the tour.***
Welcome to Bennett Park!
Bennett Park, located near I-75, combines classic park recreational opportunities with conservation areas perfect for nature walks and wildlife viewing. Manatee County purchased the majority of the 200-acre park in April 2003 with assistance from the Florida Communities Trust under the Florida Forever Program.
As you make your way down the winding path around the park’s many ponds, look for some of Bennett Park’s most commonly seen residents: waterfowl! This group of birds, which includes ducks, geese, and other members of the family Anatidae. These are a very diverse of family of birds made up of over 145 species. Waterfowl can be identified by their webbed feet, flattened beak, and their ability to gracefully float on the top of the water. In fact, ducks have specialized oily feathers that cause water to roll right off their backs!
To identify different species of ducks, it is important to figure out whether the duck you are looking at is diving or dabbling. Diving ducks search for their food by fully submerging themselves in the water. Does the duck you are viewing disappear into the water for a few moments, reappearing with dinner in its mouth? This is a diving duck!
Photo by: Marcel Kessler
Dabbling ducks, however, have a different approach to finding food. They dip their bill into the water, submerging only their neck and head, leaving their tail, and feet out in the open air. Does the duck you see appear to be on a synchronized swimming team?
Photo by Iris Hamelmann
This is a dabbling duck!
Do you see any diving or dabbling ducks here at Bennett Park?
Visit the sites along the Taking Flight GeoTour (TFGT) and learn about Manatee County's wild spaces and the amazing feathered friends that live in them. Along the way, you will be challenged to become a citizen scientist, a preserve ranger, a detective, a historian, an excellent geocacher. Caches are located in birding hot spots throughout Manatee County's publicly accessible conservation Preserves. Each one highlights a specific bird species or aspect of bird life providing you with opportunities to learn more about these creatures and what we can do to help them survive. Caches also focus on protecting the region's waterways, bays, natural watersheds, and habitat areas for many of our area's feathered friends.
The Taking Flight GeoTour launched August 20, 2012 and includes 18 caches within Manatee County.
To be eligible to receive a Taking Flight GeoTour prize tag, geocachers must complete the activities in this survey for at least 12 finds on the tour. Keep this survey open in your browser, only click submit when at least 12 finds have been completed. Survey responses will be automatically sent to Manatee County staff. Prize tags can be redeemed on Saturday mornings from 9am - 12pm at The NEST at Robinson Preserve located at 840 99th St NW, Bradenton, FL 34209. If you are unable to collect your prize tag in person, please contact ecoevents@mymanatee.org to arrange for your tag to be sent in the mail. Tags will be available while supplies last.