Lake Apopka Restoration Area: Clay Island

Lake Apopka has some of the best birding in central Florida with more than 300 bird species documented. The Clay Island area, with 6 miles of multi-use trails and three observation towers, offers lots of excitement with species such as Mottled Duck, Black-bellied and Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, Glossy Ibis and Bald Eagle. Look for Ruddy Ducks and American Bitterns in winter and Yellow Warblers and Indigo Buntings during spring and fall migration . Other wildlife species seen here include American Alligator, Northern River Otter, Northern Raccoon and Bobcat. Sixty-five species of butterflies have been recorded at the North Shore area, including Polydamus Swallowtail, Twin-spot Skipper, Tawny Emperor, Sachem and Viceroy.