North Jupiter Flatwoods Natural Area

This 163-acre natural area is a fall and spring migratory waypoint for songbirds such as White-eyed Vireos, Eastern Phoebes, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers and other warbler species. Explore the sensory-friendly 0.5-mile accessible trail loop or delve deeper into the site on the 1.4-mile hiking trail. You can see a variety of water birds including Double-crested Cormorants, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks or a rare Roseate Spoonbill when crossing the lake from Jupiter Community Park next door, especially in fall. Inside the cypress dome look for Downy, Pileated or Red-bellied Woodpeckers. During fall migration, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Northern Flickers are also possible. Upon entering the mesic flatwoods, you may notice that the area is managed by prescribed burning and mechanical fuel reduction activities. These management practices have increased the diversity of the ecosystem, providing better foraging habitat for native wildlife such as Gopher Tortoises, White-tailed Deer and Bobcats. Migratory and resident raptors have also found improved hunting in these areas, the most common being the Southeastern American Kestrel, Great Horned Owl and Red-shouldered Hawk. Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Peregrine Falcon are observed most winters.