The St. Augustin Alligator Farm, established in 1893, expanded it's swamp exhibit in the mid 1970's and added more alligators. In doing so, they inadvertently developed an outstanding natural bird rookery because the alligators in the water surrounding the trees provide protection from predators such as raccoons, opossums, and snakes. Even though the birds lose some hatchlings to the alligators, their losses are fewer than if predators raided their nests. The extended boardwalk allows visitors to view nesting birds from only a few feet away. It was terrrific to be so close to the displaying and nesting birds. Instead of looking up at the nests, you're able to walk along the wooden boardwalk, looking down at the alligators and directly into the nests of the herons and egrets.