This over 21,000-acre WMA and ranch has a little bit of everything: hardwood hammock, freshwater swamp, prairie and pine flatwoods. Drive or bike Hilliard Grade and walk the reclaimed cattle penning lanes watching for Burrowing Owls, Sandhill Cranes (both resident and migrant), Wild Turkey and Crested Caracara.
The over 35,000 acres of this jointly-managed property encompass many different habitat types: freshwater swamp offers wading birds such as Glossy Ibis, Wood Stork, and many herons and egrets; pine flatwoods hold warblers and woodpeckers and Bachman's Sparrows; and wet prairies provide views of Wild Turkey, Sandhill Cranes and hunting Northern Harriers.
Nature, history and culture intersect at the Seminole Tribe of Florida's Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Boardwalk on the Big Cypress reservation. Behind the museum, a 1.3-mile, wheelchair-friendly boardwalk loops through a cypress swamp, shrubby wetlands and open areas where you'll see an interesting mix of Everglades flora and fauna. Wading birds, raptors, woodpeckers and songbirds are well-represented at this site.
With thousands of acres of restored pastures and grasslands, plus flatwoods, wetlands and hardwood/palm hammocks, Spirit-of-the-Wild WMA is another vital component in the region's mosaic of conservation lands benefitting the Florida Black Bear, Florida Panther and other protected species.
Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 is one of the best birding and wildlife viewing locations in Florida. Constructed to filter agricultural runoff from water destined for the Everglades, this complex of four water impoundment cells is an impressive refuge for birds and a mecca for birders and photographers all year long. Look for ducks such as American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup and Fulvous Whistling-Duck, and small groups of Western Kingbird and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher roost near the western end of Deer Fence Canal Rd.
This over 21,000-acre WMA and ranch has a little bit of everything: hardwood hammock, freshwater swamp, prairie and pine flatwoods. Drive or bike Hilliard Grade and walk the reclaimed cattle penning lanes watching for Burrowing Owls, Sandhill Cranes (both resident and migrant), Wild Turkey and Crested Caracara.
The over 35,000 acres of this jointly-managed property encompass many different habitat types: freshwater swamp offers wading birds such as Glossy Ibis, Wood Stork, and many herons and egrets; pine flatwoods hold warblers and woodpeckers and Bachman’s Sparrows; and wet prairies provide views of Wild Turkey, Sandhill Cranes and hunting Northern Harriers.
Nature, history and culture intersect at the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Boardwalk on the Big Cypress reservation. Behind the museum, a 1.3-mile, wheelchair-friendly boardwalk loops through a cypress swamp, shrubby wetlands and open areas where you’ll see an interesting mix of Everglades flora and fauna. Wading birds, raptors, woodpeckers and songbirds are well-represented at this site.
With thousands of acres of restored pastures and grasslands, plus flatwoods, wetlands and hardwood/palm hammocks, Spirit-of-the-Wild WMA is another vital component in the region’s mosaic of conservation lands benefitting the Florida Black Bear, Florida Panther and other protected species.
Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 is one of the best birding and wildlife viewing locations in Florida. Constructed to filter agricultural runoff from water destined for the Everglades, this complex of four water impoundment cells is an impressive refuge for birds and a mecca for birders and photographers all year long. Look for ducks such as American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup and Fulvous Whistling-Duck, and small groups of Western Kingbird and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher roost near the western end of Deer Fence Canal Rd.
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