Bulow Creek State Park protects one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest on Florida's eastern coast. This beautiful property also includes Boardman Pond, a shorebird hotspot along the north side of Walter Boardman Ln.
This State Park is a raw, gorgeous piece of native Florida, with breathtaking habitats harboring a diversity of birds and wildlife. There are two, short hiking loops plus the Hiram Faver Interpretive Trail (composed of the Pine Loop Trail and the Plantation Trail) that wind through thick maritime hammock, flatwoods, sandhills and along an extensive salt marsh on Pellicer Creek. Rent a canoe or kayak or bring your own and paddle Pellicer Creek State Canoe Trail for a chance to see River Otters. Guided tours can be arranged with advance notice. Several miles of park boundary roads and back roads can be hiked by prior arrangement – contact park staff for details.
Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), this state recreation area offers a variety of experiences for wildlife watchers. As the park sits atop a barrier island, there are diverse habitat types ranging from sandy beach and coastal strand on the east side of A1A to tidal marsh and maritime hammock on the west side. Warblers and other songbird migrants pass through in spring and fall, and a butterfly garden is located by the trailhead. Visitors may rent a canoe, kayak, or bicycle here, and several camping options are available.
At the main entrance to GTMNERR, stop in at the first-class education center to pick up a checklist and trail map. Ask for information about educational programs, including bird walks. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded at this trail site. It is renowned for viewing the fall Peregrine Falcon migration; local birders head here to watch and count them each year. To witness this spectacle yourself, visit the tower at the North Beach Use Area (on the beach side of A1A) during the first two weeks of October.
Birders will appreciate this property's unique, elevated boardwalk for up-close viewing of the canopy in this bottomland hardwood forest. Seasonal changes in rainfall mean the ground beneath the boardwalk can be dry or underwater, changing the composition of species you'll see along the way. Follow one of the many boardwalk spurs to the blackwater Haw Creek to search for Limpkins. Or, launch your canoe or kayak and paddle the mayhaw tree-lined creek. The fallow field at the end of the boardwalk can be good for sparrows and raptors. The dirt roads leading to this site are passable for most vehicles; four-wheel drive is unnecessary except in periods of extreme rain.
Located 4 miles south of Flagler Beach, the scenic but under-birded North Peninsula State Park is ideal for observing Brown Pelican, Northern Gannet, terns, gulls and numerous shorebirds along 2.2 miles of unspoiled beach.
Delightful birding in an urban oasis awaits you on 10 miles of mostly shaded, paved loop trails, shell paths and interconnecting bike trails. Take the short paved trail south along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to Waterfront Park. Live oaks along the ICW have resident songbirds and seasonal migrants. A canoe launch near the parking area is available for exploring the St. Joe Canal and ICW, when water levels permit.
Once home to a Russian prince, this preserve on the Matanzas River offers access to a freshwater creek, salt marsh and woodland habitats. Between January and April follow the signs to the Bald Eagle nest viewing area. Next, stop at the parking area and check out the orange trail on the left for songbirds; there is hiking access to the marsh via the red trail. The ADA-accessible blue trail loops through a hardwood forest and out to an observation area on the edge of a salt marsh. Kayaks can be rented onsite to explore Styles Creek, Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas River.
This preserve encompasses woods and waters from the Matanzas River to the Atlantic Ocean. Begin at the main entrance on the west side of A1A, where Ospreys nest in the cell tower beside the parking lot. A paved walkway curves past a freshwater pond and two observation decks provide good vantage points to view the wildlife. Hiking and biking trails loop through maritime hammock and oak scrub, and two brief side trails lead to overlooks on the river. The preserve offers good butterfly watching, particularly on the Scrub Loop trail. To take advantage of the preserve's beach, which can be walked for several miles in either direction, there are multiple access points.
This state park stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Matanzas River. Explore the riverside property: after passing the entrance gate, the road curves to the south. At this curve, a trail takes off to the north, bound for scrub and xeric hammock. Following the road to the south will take you past the ornamental gardens through oak hammocks. Flagler Audubon offers bird walks at the park, call ahead or ask at the entrance gate for more information.
Bulow Creek State Park protects one of the largest remaining stands of southern live oak forest on Florida’s eastern coast. This beautiful property also includes Boardman Pond, a shorebird hotspot along the north side of Walter Boardman Ln.
This State Park is a raw, gorgeous piece of native Florida, with breathtaking habitats harboring a diversity of birds and wildlife. There are two, short hiking loops plus the Hiram Faver Interpretive Trail (composed of the Pine Loop Trail and the Plantation Trail) that wind through thick maritime hammock, flatwoods, sandhills and along an extensive salt marsh on Pellicer Creek. Rent a canoe or kayak or bring your own and paddle Pellicer Creek State Canoe Trail for a chance to see River Otters. Guided tours can be arranged with advance notice. Several miles of park boundary roads and back roads can be hiked by prior arrangement – contact park staff for details.
Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), this state recreation area offers a variety of experiences for wildlife watchers. As the park sits atop a barrier island, there are diverse habitat types ranging from sandy beach and coastal strand on the east side of A1A to tidal marsh and maritime hammock on the west side. Warblers and other songbird migrants pass through in spring and fall, and a butterfly garden is located by the trailhead. Visitors may rent a canoe, kayak, or bicycle here, and several camping options are available.
At the main entrance to GTMNERR, stop in at the first-class education center to pick up a checklist and trail map. Ask for information about educational programs, including bird walks. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded at this trail site. It is renowned for viewing the fall Peregrine Falcon migration; local birders head here to watch and count them each year. To witness this spectacle yourself, visit the tower at the North Beach Use Area (on the beach side of A1A) during the first two weeks of October.
Birders will appreciate this property’s unique, elevated boardwalk for up-close viewing of the canopy in this bottomland hardwood forest. Seasonal changes in rainfall mean the ground beneath the boardwalk can be dry or underwater, changing the composition of species you’ll see along the way. Follow one of the many boardwalk spurs to the blackwater Haw Creek to search for Limpkins. Or, launch your canoe or kayak and paddle the mayhaw tree-lined creek. The fallow field at the end of the boardwalk can be good for sparrows and raptors. The dirt roads leading to this site are passable for most vehicles; four-wheel drive is unnecessary except in periods of extreme rain.
Located 4 miles south of Flagler Beach, the scenic but under-birded North Peninsula State Park is ideal for observing Brown Pelican, Northern Gannet, terns, gulls and numerous shorebirds along 2.2 miles of unspoiled beach.
Delightful birding in an urban oasis awaits you on 10 miles of mostly shaded, paved loop trails, shell paths and interconnecting bike trails. Take the short paved trail south along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to Waterfront Park. Live oaks along the ICW have resident songbirds and seasonal migrants. A canoe launch near the parking area is available for exploring the St. Joe Canal and ICW, when water levels permit.
Once home to a Russian prince, this preserve on the Matanzas River offers access to a freshwater creek, salt marsh and woodland habitats. Between January and April follow the signs to the Bald Eagle nest viewing area. Next, stop at the parking area and check out the orange trail on the left for songbirds; there is hiking access to the marsh via the red trail. The ADA-accessible blue trail loops through a hardwood forest and out to an observation area on the edge of a salt marsh. Kayaks can be rented onsite to explore Styles Creek, Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas River.
This preserve encompasses woods and waters from the Matanzas River to the Atlantic Ocean. Begin at the main entrance on the west side of A1A, where Ospreys nest in the cell tower beside the parking lot. A paved walkway curves past a freshwater pond and two observation decks provide good vantage points to view the wildlife. Hiking and biking trails loop through maritime hammock and oak scrub, and two brief side trails lead to overlooks on the river. The preserve offers good butterfly watching, particularly on the Scrub Loop trail. To take advantage of the preserve’s beach, which can be walked for several miles in either direction, there are multiple access points.
This state park stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Matanzas River. Explore the riverside property: after passing the entrance gate, the road curves to the south. At this curve, a trail takes off to the north, bound for scrub and xeric hammock. Following the road to the south will take you past the ornamental gardens through oak hammocks. Flagler Audubon offers bird walks at the park, call ahead or ask at the entrance gate for more information.
The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a network of more than 500 premier wildlife viewing sites across the state. When you want to know where to go in Florida to see native birds, butterflies and more, head for the Trail.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Russell Office Park
1875 Orange Ave. East
Tallahassee, FL 32311