As you drive into this portion of the state forest, watch for Florida Scrub-Jays along the south side of Lake Arbuckle Rd. and along Rucks Dairy Rd. in areas of five-foot tall oak scrub. Stop at the entrance kiosk at the intersection of Rucks Dairy Rd. and School Bus Rd. to pick up a map and a bird list, and proceed to one of the several trailheads along School Bus Rd.
Located atop Iron Mountain, the highest point on the Lake Wales Ridge, is an impressive destination for birders, botanists and butterfly enthusiasts alike. Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and is famous for its cultivated gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. However, the site also includes the Pine Ridge Nature Preserve, a 100-acre sandhill ecosystem comprised of longleaf pines and turkey oaks.
Located between Bartow, Lakeland and Winter Haven, Circle B Bar Reserve is among the best inland birding and wildlife viewing spots in Central Florida. This former cattle ranch plays a key role in the conservation efforts of the Upper Peace River/Lake Hancock watershed.
A former cattle ranch, this state park opened to the public in 2007 and already boasts a bird checklist of 150+ species and 79 butterfly species. Major habitats include pine flatwoods, swamps, cypress domes, pastures, lakes and ponds. Twelve miles of hiking/horse trails are currently open, with more trails planned.
Located in the middle of Lakeland, this 358-acre urban lake has a remarkable diversity of waterbirds. Easy viewing opportunities abound thanks to boardwalks and a 3-mile sidewalk trail which runs around the lake perimeter; the trail can be walked, biked or even skated.
Lake Kissimmee State Park's flatwoods, floodplain marshes, scrub, hardwood hammocks, lakes and waterways teem with birdlife. Come prepared to hike, and bring water, a hat and lunch. The park has 13 miles of hiking/biking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails.
Located in a quiet neighborhood, the Street Nature Center is owned by the Lake Region Audubon Society and operated by its volunteers. The Street Nature Center also offers a variety of educational programs and classes to youths and adults, as well as offsite field trips to migration hotspots like Saddle Creek Park. Call in advance for details and reservations, or check the website.
Lake Wailes Park is worth a quick stop if you're in the Lake Wales area. Walk the trail for more extensive looks at birds on, and around, the lake. A fishing pier is located on the lake's west side, and a boat ramp is provided on the north side for aquatic viewing opportunities.
Formerly known as IMC-Agrico Peace River Park, this site offers a nearly 1-mile boardwalk through the cypress floodplain forest down to the Peace River itself. Winding through ancient trees in the cool shade of swampland, the boardwalk guides you through a migrant songbird mecca and ends at the river.
Operated by the Ridge Audubon Society, the Babson Park Nature Center is a good educational resource for birding, bird conservation and upland conservation. Babson Park lies on the Lake Wales Ridge, an elevated backbone that runs down the middle of central Florida, which supports some of the most unique and threatened uplands in the Sunshine State. Visit the museum (call ahead) at this informative site to learn more about Florida's endangered uplands and their inhabitants.
At first glance, Saddle Creek Park appears best for wading birds. However, this site is actually one of Florida's premier warbler hotspots during migration. The restoration efforts at this important stopover site are impressive, considering the park was a phosphate mine up until the 1960s.
This large site, which includes reclaimed phosphate mine lands, has a variety of habitats, with 14 miles of hiking trails and 15 miles of equestrian trails to explore. On Tenoroc's west side, there are wildlife viewing areas on two artificial wetlands. Open Friday through Monday only.
A unique partnership between the Walt Disney Corporation and The Nature Conservancy resulted in the creation of this preserve. Required to pay mitigation credits for developments near Lake Buena Vista, Disney's dollars went towards the purchase and management of this magnificent tract of land. The Nature Conservancy constructed an excellent Conservation Learning Center on-site, along with 2.5 miles of trails for hiking.
Just 20 minutes from the town of Lake Wales, over ten miles of hiking trails offer an ever-changing array of wildflower blooms. During breeding season look for Bald Eagles, Barred Owls, Swallow-tailed Kites or Great-crested Flycatchers. Find Northern Bobwhite, Common Ground-dove and Red-headed Woodpeckers year-round. Look for migrant Northern Waterthrushes, Black-throated Blue Warblers or American Redstarts. Keep your eyes peeled for Gopher Tortoises, Gopher Frogs, River Otters, Striped Mud Turtles, Pine Snakes or Spicebush Swallowtail Butterflies.
The Walk-in-the Water Tract is a wild and remote location composed of sandhills, scrub, hardwood hammocks, freshwater swamp and depression marshes. A few sought-after species make birding here quite interesting.
As you drive into this portion of the state forest, watch for Florida Scrub-Jays along the south side of Lake Arbuckle Rd. and along Rucks Dairy Rd. in areas of five-foot tall oak scrub. Stop at the entrance kiosk at the intersection of Rucks Dairy Rd. and School Bus Rd. to pick up a map and a bird list, and proceed to one of the several trailheads along School Bus Rd.
Located atop Iron Mountain, the highest point on the Lake Wales Ridge, is an impressive destination for birders, botanists and butterfly enthusiasts alike. Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and is famous for its cultivated gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. However, the site also includes the Pine Ridge Nature Preserve, a 100-acre sandhill ecosystem comprised of longleaf pines and turkey oaks.
Located between Bartow, Lakeland and Winter Haven, Circle B Bar Reserve is among the best inland birding and wildlife viewing spots in Central Florida. This former cattle ranch plays a key role in the conservation efforts of the Upper Peace River/Lake Hancock watershed.
A former cattle ranch, this state park opened to the public in 2007 and already boasts a bird checklist of 150+ species and 79 butterfly species. Major habitats include pine flatwoods, swamps, cypress domes, pastures, lakes and ponds. Twelve miles of hiking/horse trails are currently open, with more trails planned.
Located in the middle of Lakeland, this 358-acre urban lake has a remarkable diversity of waterbirds. Easy viewing opportunities abound thanks to boardwalks and a 3-mile sidewalk trail which runs around the lake perimeter; the trail can be walked, biked or even skated.
Lake Kissimmee State Park’s flatwoods, floodplain marshes, scrub, hardwood hammocks, lakes and waterways teem with birdlife. Come prepared to hike, and bring water, a hat and lunch. The park has 13 miles of hiking/biking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails.
Located in a quiet neighborhood, the Street Nature Center is owned by the Lake Region Audubon Society and operated by its volunteers. The Street Nature Center also offers a variety of educational programs and classes to youths and adults, as well as offsite field trips to migration hotspots like Saddle Creek Park. Call in advance for details and reservations, or check the website.
Lake Wailes Park is worth a quick stop if you’re in the Lake Wales area. Walk the trail for more extensive looks at birds on, and around, the lake. A fishing pier is located on the lake’s west side, and a boat ramp is provided on the north side for aquatic viewing opportunities.
Formerly known as IMC-Agrico Peace River Park, this site offers a nearly 1-mile boardwalk through the cypress floodplain forest down to the Peace River itself. Winding through ancient trees in the cool shade of swampland, the boardwalk guides you through a migrant songbird mecca and ends at the river.
Operated by the Ridge Audubon Society, the Babson Park Nature Center is a good educational resource for birding, bird conservation and upland conservation. Babson Park lies on the Lake Wales Ridge, an elevated backbone that runs down the middle of central Florida, which supports some of the most unique and threatened uplands in the Sunshine State. Visit the museum (call ahead) at this informative site to learn more about Florida’s endangered uplands and their inhabitants.
At first glance, Saddle Creek Park appears best for wading birds. However, this site is actually one of Florida’s premier warbler hotspots during migration. The restoration efforts at this important stopover site are impressive, considering the park was a phosphate mine up until the 1960s.
This large site, which includes reclaimed phosphate mine lands, has a variety of habitats, with 14 miles of hiking trails and 15 miles of equestrian trails to explore. On Tenoroc’s west side, there are wildlife viewing areas on two artificial wetlands. Open Friday through Monday only.
A unique partnership between the Walt Disney Corporation and The Nature Conservancy resulted in the creation of this preserve. Required to pay mitigation credits for developments near Lake Buena Vista, Disney’s dollars went towards the purchase and management of this magnificent tract of land. The Nature Conservancy constructed an excellent Conservation Learning Center on-site, along with 2.5 miles of trails for hiking.
Just 20 minutes from the town of Lake Wales, over ten miles of hiking trails offer an ever-changing array of wildflower blooms. During breeding season look for Bald Eagles, Barred Owls, Swallow-tailed Kites or Great-crested Flycatchers. Find Northern Bobwhite, Common Ground-dove and Red-headed Woodpeckers year-round. Look for migrant Northern Waterthrushes, Black-throated Blue Warblers or American Redstarts. Keep your eyes peeled for Gopher Tortoises, Gopher Frogs, River Otters, Striped Mud Turtles, Pine Snakes or Spicebush Swallowtail Butterflies.
The Walk-in-the Water Tract is a wild and remote location composed of sandhills, scrub, hardwood hammocks, freshwater swamp and depression marshes. A few sought-after species make birding here quite interesting.
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