Lyonia Preserve offers chance to see scrub-jays up close
Set on sandy ridges offering fresh vantage points of Volusia County, the 360-acre Lyonia Preserve provides scrub habitat for hiking, plus a home for gopher tortoises and the vulnerable Florida scrubjay.
The land can be accessed using several miles of hiking-only trails divided into loops: orange, red and blue. Much of the preserve is set in the open sun with low vegetation adapted to harsh conditions. Sandy trails, which can be accessed behind the Deltona Regional Library, take visitors over ancient sand dunes surrounded by suburban development.
Lyonia Preserve might seem ripe for a new subdivision, as the land rises 25 to 80 feet above sea level. But in its natural state, the space provides a habitat for more than 1,000 plant and animal species. What seems like an arid, almost desert-like environment at first glance offers life in the form of rusty lyonia, wild berries, armadillos, rabbits and more.
The scrub habitat is especially important for threatened Florida scrubjays, of which only several thousand are thought to exist in the wild. The species’ population, which once numbered an estimated 40,000, has been in decline amid sprawling development, causing the birds to lose habitat.
Florida scrub-jays are commonly seen in the Lyonia Preserve, a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail, and can be identified by their bold blue feathers and gray chest with a black beak and harsh call. The birds are endemic to Florida, only occurring in scrub habitats in the greater Central Florida region. Scrub-jays are social and smart, living in extended families and burying acorns for when food is scarce.
Other birds in the preserve include whippoor-wills, eastern towhees, red-tailed hawks, doves and woodpeckers.
Be sure to bring binoculars and a camera to spot all of the avian residents who call the Lyonia Preserve home.
Important information
Location: 2150 Eustace Ave. in Deltona
Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily
Amenities: Benches, hiking trails, pavilion, parking, restrooms
Activities: Hiking, birding, wildlife viewing
Accessibility: The Lyonia Preserve’s trails consist of deep sand, and it would be difficult to access much of the preserve in a wheelchair without all-terrain tires.
What to bring: Bring plenty of water when heading out in the Lyonia Preserve. Sunscreen and a hat will also prove useful, as the land offers little shade. Most of the preserve should have cellphone service, but bring a map to keep track of the trails.
What not to bring:
It’s prohibited to feed or disturb animals and plants within the preserve.
Pets: Pets are not allowed within the preserve.
Pro tips: Choosing the right footwear is important for this adventure, as the preserve offers some elevation change associated with sand dunes, and its sandy trails can be loose. A hat and sunscreen will help keep the sun at bay since there’s not much shade in the preserve. It’s also not advisable to visit during the heat of the summer. Packing water is another important consideration.
More information: 386-736-5953 or volusia.org
PATRICK CONNOLLY/ORLANDO SENTINEL PHOTOS