Nestled between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers is the Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area, replete with hardwood river swamps, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks and improved pastures punctuated with small depression ponds. The site checklist boasts 120 plus species, with everything from waterbirds to raptors to warblers.
Visitors to the 8,876-acre Etoniah Creek State Forest/WMA have plenty of ground to cover; one could easily spend all day getting acquainted with this site, as there is so much to see. Twelve miles of multi-use trails are at your disposal, and numerous miles of unpaved forest roads are accessible to most vehicles, although some roads are closed outside of hunting season. One of the area's most diverse GFBWT locations in terms of habitat.
Since the days of the federal Works Progress Administration when the park was created, birders and non-birders alike have been captivated by the ravine as well as the formal and natural gardens.
This site in the Ocala National Forest offers a 2-mile loop trail which leads through scrubby flatwoods down to a hardwood forest along the clear, cold, spring run.
Built in 1926, this warm water hatchery is used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to raise fish for stocking programs throughout the southeast. The 41 production ponds where they raise young fish have attracted wading birds for years. However, instead of driving off the birds, the hatchery constructed a viewing tower for birders!
Although its birding characteristics are good, it is heavily traveled; visit on a weekday morning for the best experience. Pick up a bird list and trail map at the entrance kiosk or at the forest office, as there are 8 miles of hiking trails and 7 miles of horse trails available. As this is a remote area, bring water and prepare for heat and insects in summer.
Nestled between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers is the Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area, replete with hardwood river swamps, pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks and improved pastures punctuated with small depression ponds. The site checklist boasts 120 plus species, with everything from waterbirds to raptors to warblers.
Visitors to the 8,876-acre Etoniah Creek State Forest/WMA have plenty of ground to cover; one could easily spend all day getting acquainted with this site, as there is so much to see. Twelve miles of multi-use trails are at your disposal, and numerous miles of unpaved forest roads are accessible to most vehicles, although some roads are closed outside of hunting season. One of the area’s most diverse GFBWT locations in terms of habitat.
Since the days of the federal Works Progress Administration when the park was created, birders and non-birders alike have been captivated by the ravine as well as the formal and natural gardens.
This site in the Ocala National Forest offers a 2-mile loop trail which leads through scrubby flatwoods down to a hardwood forest along the clear, cold, spring run.
Built in 1926, this warm water hatchery is used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to raise fish for stocking programs throughout the southeast. The 41 production ponds where they raise young fish have attracted wading birds for years. However, instead of driving off the birds, the hatchery constructed a viewing tower for birders!
Although its birding characteristics are good, it is heavily traveled; visit on a weekday morning for the best experience. Pick up a bird list and trail map at the entrance kiosk or at the forest office, as there are 8 miles of hiking trails and 7 miles of horse trails available. As this is a remote area, bring water and prepare for heat and insects in summer.
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