Take a kid or two (or an adult) birding! This small urban park north of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium is well-suited for beginners who want to practice their waterbird and songbird identification. The park’s best birding features are two large ponds and two well-established trails which lead through hardwood hammocks and open grassy areas. A fishing pier on the north pond’s southern shoreline provides a great vantage point.
Though small, this county park is one of the best shorebird sites in Hernando County. Park your car and walk the sandy beach, scanning the mudflats for loafing terns (Forster’s, Royal and Caspian), gulls (Laughing, Herring and Bonaparte’s) and winter shorebirds like Short-billed Dowitcher, Dunlin, Marbled Godwit and Western Sandpiper.
Visitors to this public recreation area have 12 miles of hiking/biking trails to wander and more than 150 bird species to search for. The property was purchased to protect its 800-acre shallow lake and wetlands, and to preserve green space (the area had been diked and drained in the 1950s for agriculture).
An excellent place to enjoy a sunset, this small park on the Gulf of America has a large fishing pier with great views of wildlife on the mudflats and on the water.The fishing pier is open 24 hours/day. A boardwalk connects to Key Vista Nature Park to the north.
Check out this small waterfront park for wading birds like Snowy and Reddish Egrets and shorebirds such as Black-bellied Plovers feeding on the flats and in the shallows of the Anclote River. This site has a popular beach and a multi-lane boat launch that tend to be busy on weekends, so come early, or on a weekday for the best wildlife viewing experience.
Andrews WMA’s old-growth hardwoods, wetlands, uplands and open understory are good for many species of birds. The Suwannee River Trail offers waterbirds, and there is an extensive system of roads passable to two-wheel-drive vehicles. Other scenic hiking trails provide access to more remote areas with former state champion trees. Don’t miss the wetland boardwalk on the Suwannee River Trail and the wildlife viewing blind off Fanning Rd. Two observation towers located near Randall Rd are great for photography.
Head north or south of Goose Pasture Road to hike the picturesque Aucilla Sinks Trail along the wooded Aucilla River. Part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, this trail disappears underground and re-emerges again and again. The trail traverses a portion of the 50,471-acre WMA, which is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Suwannee River Water Management District. “Birding by ear” skills are quite helpful at this site.
Home to Hillsborough County’s largest contiguous piece of sand pine scrub, the amazingly diverse Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve also protects pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, oak scrub, grassy meadows, freshwater marshes, wet prairie, cypress and hardwood swamps and creeks. Together with the adjacent Triple Creek Preserve to the north, 6 miles of hiking trails are available on the western side of the property (west of Balm-Boyette Rd.); 18 miles of mountain bike trails can be explored on the preserve’s east side.
Bayport Park is worth a quick check if you’re in the vicinity; drive the hammock road into the park and listen for songbirds. Scan the salt marsh and flats for waders. Weekends and summer days can be busy at this site, so plan your visits accordingly. Take advantage of the two boat ramps for aquatic viewing adventures on the Mud River or the Gulf of America.
Located along the Gulf Coast in Taylor and Dixie counties, the five units of the Big Bend WMA extend from the mouth of the Aucilla River to just past the town of Horseshoe Beach. Birders regularly see shorebirds, herons and egrets, waterfowl, rails and raptors. The area is renowned among butterfly enthusiasts for the variety … Read more
Together, Big Shoals State Park, State Forest and Wildlife Management Area comprise the Big Shoals Public Lands, a wild and impressive property jointly managed by the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), Florida Forest Service, Florida Park Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This site borders the majestic Suwannee River (an Outstanding Florida Water), which has the largest whitewater rapids in the state, plus scenic vistas from 80-foot high limestone bluffs above the river. With 33 miles of trails and the river to explore, visitors have numerous options for a fun-filled day.
Bird Creek Park is located at the end of CR 40/Follow That Dream Trail, which winds through salt marsh and tidal creeks down to Withlacoochee Bay and the Gulf of America. Several kayak put-in points (bring your own) alongside the road and at the park offer nice access to the salt marsh, the Withlacoochee River and Withlacoochee Bay; take water and insect repellant. For larger boats, a ramp is provided past the park entrance at the end of CR 40.
Bluebird Springs Park is a small but scenic county-owned property, with easy access to Neotropical songbirds in spring and fall and a suite of common species all year. The park is worth a quick stop if you’re in the area (although best during migration). The spring itself is surrounded by wet, broadleaf forest. A paved, wheelchair-friendly trail winds through an open grassy area around two sides of the spring.
Make time to include this outstanding Pinellas County park during your visit to the St. Petersburg area. This site’s bird list has 175-plus species, and the park has several trail options, including a series of elevated boardwalks that lead to a 35-foot tall observation tower overlooking Boca Ciega Bay. Pine flatwoods, bayheads, oak hammock, mangroves, salt marsh and freshwater wetlands attract a plethora of resident and migratory wildlife species.
A pleasant surprise in urban St. Petersburg awaits you on the shores of Lake Maggiore. This preserve has 6 miles of trails and boardwalks, plus lakefront access, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, upland scrub, freshwater swamp and a freshwater marsh. Boyd Hill’s trails are popular, so weekday mornings are the best time to visit. The Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center has exhibits and an aviary with rehabilitated birds of prey; educational programs and tram tours are offered (call or check the preserve’s website for details).
Pinellas County’s largest natural area, this preserve safeguards the 41-square mile Brooker Creek Watershed and ranks as one of the county’s top birding and wildlife viewing destinations. Visitors have two hiking trails (both with interpretive signs) and 9 miles of equestrian trails to enjoy.
This Important Bird Area safeguards one of Florida’s few remaining undeveloped barrier islands. The park is accessible primarily by boat, although visitors may now reach the island on foot from Clearwater Beach (shifting sands recently blocked Dunedin Pass, creating a land bridge). A ferry runs at regular intervals across Hurricane Pass from neighboring Honeymoon Island State Park. This is the easiest way to enter the park, but private boats may also dock at the marina on the northeast side of the island. Visitors arriving by ferry (no pets allowed) have four hours to explore the beach and trails. Camping is not allowed on the island, but those wishing to stay longer can dock their private boat overnight at the marina. Beach wheelchairs are available upon request.
With frontage on the Little Manatee River, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods and sandhills, this environmental education facility has much to offer visitors of all ages. Its trails, bird garden and birding blind are good places to practice your ID skills on common woodland birds and to introduce newcomers to birding.The Paleo Preserve fossil museum is open on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.
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.
Yellow-crowned and Black-crowned Night-Herons linger on pilings in the marina, Spotted Sandpipers bob on the rocky shore and flocks of White Ibises and Magnificent Frigatebirds cruise overhead on occasion. Brown Pelicans and Laughing Gulls are common around the massive fishing pier at the corner of C St. and Dock St. Just east of the marina, sandy spits off the city park’s small beach are teeming with peeps in winter; Black Skimmers and other terns may be present as well.
The spectacular Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve is divided by CR 347 into east and west tracts. The east side has 4 miles of color-coded, multi-use trails and firebreaks available for exploration, and features flatwoods, sandhills and scrub. The latter provides habitat for the colorful Florida Scrub-Jay, the Sunshine State’s only endemic bird species. This reserve represents the northern end of its range on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Located 15 miles south of Crystal River, Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1943 to support wintering waterfowl. Today, it also serves as an important habitat for endangered West Indian manatees, which use its tidal bays, creeks, and rivers. The refuge’s mix of saltwater bays, estuaries, marshes, and hardwood swamps provides vital breeding and … Read more
The Chassahowitzka River Trail is another outstanding birding and wildlife viewing opportunity for paddlers. Start at the Chassahowitzka River Campground and bird the hydric hammock around the parking area for songbirds in migration. Vultures roost in the trees across from the boat landing. Next, launch your canoe or kayak and head west towards the refuge. On the way to the Gulf, you will wind through hydric hammock, salt marsh and mudflats and barrier islands.
Part of a nearly unbroken swath of protected public lands which extend 200 miles from the Apalachicola River south to Pasco County, this WMA has much to offer. Enter at Indigo Lane (A), where an 8-mile, interpretive, driving tour loop begins. A series of single-lane, unpaved roads wind through sandhills, flatwoods, hardwood/palm hammocks, transition zones and one of the largest and most pristine hardwood swamps in all of Florida. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the tour, but take extra time to hike or bike the numerous trails and tram roads leading into the forests, scrub, swamp and marshes.
Visitors to the WEA and Chinsegut Conservation Center will certainly be rewarded by the abundant diversity of wildlife awaiting discovery in this tranquil corner of Hernando County. The WEA’s bounty lies mainly in its sandhills, hardwoods and freshwater wetlands found on two separate tracts; these are connected by the 2-mile Prairie to Pines Trail. The 408-acre Conservation Center Tract has an education facility, a butterfly and native plant garden (with a water feature and bird feeders), remnants of a historic homestead, numerous bat houses used by a large colony of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats, and 2.1 miles of trails and boardwalks.
The Citrus Tract/Citrus WMA is a designated Important Bird Area that showcases another part of the vast Withlacoochee State Forest’s great wildlife viewing opportunities. This site is also one of the best locales in Florida to see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCWs). High-quality sandhills shelter several additional target species including Bachman’s Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Osceola Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite. Hardwood hammocks and scrub habitats are also present.
This city park is worth a quick stop to take in the views and wildlife of Clam Bayou Estuary and Boca Ciega Bay. The park’s well-groomed trails are paved with shell rock; boardwalks and paths lead to seven different observation decks/docks overlooking the mangrove-lined lagoons. Launch your canoe or kayak and paddle around the mangrove islands or tour the open waters of the bay; watch for dolphins and manatees along the way.
Don’t be alarmed by the moniker—Spanish explorers dubbed the area “Cockroach Bay” due to the abundant Horseshoe Crab population. Modern-day visitors will experience a great full day of birding at this site, thanks to impressive habitat restoration efforts. In fact, this preserve contains one of the most pristine portions of Tampa Bay. Start at the kiosk (A) on Gulf City Rd. 0.25 miles south of the preserve office for hiking and paddling maps and a birding guide; a labyrinth of foot paths fans out from here.
Located on the south end of Anna Maria Island, Leffis Key Preserve has a prominent (26-foot!) hill with a panoramic view of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of America. Packed shell trails and boardwalks traverse a splendid combination of mangroves, mudflats, tidal ponds and coastal ridge. After walking over the bridge, check the mound on your left, which can have Common Ground-Dove and Palm Warbler. The hill area has been cleared of exotic plants and replanted with a variety of natives such as Sea Grape, Southern Red Cedar, Sea Oat and Gumbo Limbo. Explore the brief trails and boardwalks which run through the hardwood patches and mangrove forest to observation platforms on Sarasota Bay. Look and listen for Neotropical migrants in spring and fall.
This delightful Pasco County park offers a superb view of Crews Lake, where overwintering waterbirds like Least Sandpiper, Dunlin and Ring-necked Duck loaf and forage. Bring your spotting scope and take the boardwalk out to the observation deck to scan the lake, and then climb the adjacent observation tower for an even better look. The park checklist contains more than 200 bird species; this one is a must-see.
This site contains more than 2 miles of trails through five native habitats (pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, freshwater marsh and swamp, and riverine areas) and includes a 2000-foot boardwalk terminating at an observation tower overlooking the marsh.Call ahead to find out the schedules for the Saturday workshop series and other educational programs that occur throughout the year.
The Crystal Cove area of this state park has several options. The 1.7-mile Crystal Cove Trail starts at the day use fishing area (locally known as the “Mullet Hole”) and follows a limerock path around a freshwater pond, through scrubby areas and mixed pines/hardwoods down to a salt marsh and canal which connects to the Crystal River. For an even wilder experience, take the 7-mile hike/bike trail loop which begins at the end of W. State Park St.
While primarily an archeological site and National Historical Landmark, this small state park has nice facilities and easy, paved trails that are fun to bird. Wander the trails through the hardwoods and palms, which attract songbirds in migration.
The Kings Bay Trail offers a pleasant, cool-weather paddle at the headwaters of the Crystal River. Kings Bay hosts flocks of wintering Lesser Scaup, American Coots and American White Pelicans. Wading birds and waterbirds like Yellow-crowned Night-Herons and Anhingas, plus gulls and Bald Eagles are frequently spotted. This area is also well known for its large wintering population of West Indian Manatees.
Crystal River Preserve State Park is a pristine stretch of Florida coastline that has remained largely unchanged since European settlers arrived 500 years ago. Spanning over 27,500 acres, the preserve features scrublands, pinewoods, hardwood forests, salt marshes and mangrove islands. Nature enthusiasts and photographers will appreciate the untouched islands which provide habitat for a variety … Read more
Dead River Park is located where the Dead and Hillsborough Rivers converge. From Monday to Thursday, park along on the entrance road where the pavement ends and hike/bike the final 1.8 miles into the site. From Friday to Sunday, visitors are allowed to drive all the way in. The entrance road, the 2-mile multi-use trail and the river views all provide lovely birding, especially during fall for migratory warblers.
A 0.6-mile nature trail, a 232-step stairway and multiple boardwalks allow you to bird the slopes of a massive sinkhole 120 feet deep and 500 feet across. The lush hardwood slope forest and tranquil springs are good for skulking songbirds like the Veery, Wood Thrush and Eastern Towhee. Brown Creeper and Fox Sparrow (both rare) have been found here occasionally in winter. Pine flatwoods, sandhills and upland mixed forest are also present in this park.
Duette Preserve contains the headwaters of the Manatee River and is the largest preserve in Manatee County’s land preservation program. The preserve helps safeguard the water supply for both Manatee and Sarasota counties, and it protects pine flatwoods, oak scrub, hardwood swamp, depression marsh and dry prairie habitats, plus ponds, streams, sloughs and Clearwater Lake, too. The charismatic Florida Scrub-Jay is but one of the preserve’s species that benefits from ongoing restoration and management activities.
Mangroves, sheltered mudflats and sandy beachfront habitats at this coastal site showcase some of Tampa Bay’s best waterbird-watching action. Beginners can sharpen their identification skills, compare/contrast behaviors and study the fishing techniques of many species. For example, you can watch Reddish Egrets dancing in the park’s shallows to startle and locate fish, and Double-crested Cormorants swimming and diving in hot pursuit of their prey.This park is an excellent, easily accessed site, with several camping options available.
Enhance your outdoor skills on the Eco-Walk Trail, part of the scenic 27,295-acre Crystal River Preserve State Park. Numerous benches and 11 interpretive “discovery” stations along the trail make this a great educational spot and a fun destination for family birding jaunts. This pleasant 2.1-mile foot trail loops through wet prairie, hardwood hammock, pines and freshwater swamp and offers up a surprising diversity of birds.
Great for birders and non-birders alike, this renowned state park provides outstanding opportunities to see wildlife. From the parking area by the visitor center (A) on US 19/US 98, you may walk the 1.1-mile Pepper Creek Trail for free. This trail is a paved, wheelchair-accessible tram road which leads westward through hardwood hammock and wetlands.
Located on Lake Griffin, the Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area offers a diversity of birding opportunities. There are so many miles of dike trails here, you could easily hike all day!
Emerson Point forms the western tip of Snead Island, where visitors will experience more than 4,500 years of history and will find a wealth of amazing birds and wildlife. Including a paved trail that runs along the road through the entire preserve, 6.5 miles of trails and boardwalks can be explored; 9 trails wind through uplands, tropical hammocks of Gumbo Limbo and Live Oak trees, coastal berm, and mangrove estuary, each with respective birding opportunities.
Managed through a partnership with Columbia County, this SRWMD property is a splendid little gem complete with mesic, wet and scrubby flatwoods and a lowland hardwood forest along Falling Creek. From the parking area follow the paved path past the historic structure towards the forest. Take the elevated boardwalk (wheelchair friendly), check the area for migratory songbirds and enjoy the view of the creek’s “whitewater.” A 10-foot waterfall (during normal water levels) creates rapids which are scarce in Florida.
The major natural community type here is upland mixed forest, with small amounts of floodplain forest and floodplain swamp. A boardwalk through cypress trees down to the spring returns through a patch of upland hardwood hammock. A 0.75-mile nature trail behind the bath house runs through woodlands where migrants like Veery, Ovenbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler and Scarlet Tanager gather in season.
One of the park’s prominent features is a paved, multi-use, 7-mile loop trail (with four rest shelters, water stations and 3 additional miles of paved connecting trails) that is popular with cyclists, skaters and runners. This loop trail, and miles of unpaved trails, wind through flatwoods, past cypress domes and seasonal wetlands.
Tucked into the vast Green Swamp, just inside the Sumter County line, this state-of-the-art fish hatchery and research facility might seem an unlikely birding spot. Instead, its 60-plus ponds offer a begrudging buffet to wading birds.Take time to enjoy the impressive display aquarium; an overlook for watching fish production activities is also provided.
Located in the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes, the Flying Eagle Preserve is a mosaic of small lakes, marshes and swamps with scattered islands of forested uplands. Visitors have 16 miles of marked, multi-use trails and roads to wander (13 miles can be biked). This site offers a variety of camping options: group, primitive, backcountry and equestrian.Check with FWC for hunting dates, regulations, and more information.
Named for a Second Seminole War fort built alongside tranquil Lake Holathlikaha, this state park protects a number of natural communities including sandhills, flatwoods, mixed forest, xeric hammocks and freshwater marshes. Non-birders can enjoy the site’s history, while wildlife watchers can search for a multitude of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The park contains three hiking trails (6 miles total) with relatively easy walking.
One of the most popular birding and outdoor recreation locales in Florida, this county park and GFBWT gateway site is on every wildlife watcher’s to-do list. A staggering 325-plus species of birds have been sighted here. The park consists of five interconnected keys with mangroves, wetlands, hardwood/palm hammocks, mudflats and nearly 3 miles of sandy beach. Visitors will enjoy the 2.25-mile paddling trail, the two fishing piers, boat launch and ferry service to Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge. A 6.8-mile paved hike-and-bike trail connects the North and East Beach areas with the campground, boat ramp and the historic fort (built during the Spanish-American War). Kayak and bike rentals are available on-site.
Park amenities include a boat ramp and a 465-foot combination fishing pier/boardwalk (wheelchair accessible) complete with a picnic shelter, shaded deck and benches. The pier provides great views of Crystal Bay. Another wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leads south from the pier through a picturesque hardwood hammock down to the beach.
Two stops and multiple trails managed by Crystal River Preserve State Park are accessible from CR 44/Fort Island Trail and W. Dixie Shores Dr. Each offers a hike through brief upland forest habitats, then out to tidal marshes.
Fort Island Trail Park is worth a quick stop on your drive west down Fort Island Trail (CR 44) to bird and use the facilities. This site is a launch point for the Nature Coast Canoe and Kayak Trail, so bring your own boat if you want to paddle the scenic waters of the Crystal River.
From the elevated, 10-foot wide earthen berm, scope the large holding pond for a possible 16 duck species (including Northern Shoveler, Gadwall and American Wigeon) in winter, wading birds (Green Heron, Tricolored Heron and Glossy Ibis) and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks year-round, as well as shorebirds (Dunlin, Long-billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper) in the shoulder months of migration. More than 150 bird species have been identified here.
Goethe State Forest protects a large population of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) as well as one of the largest contiguous tracts of old-growth longleaf pine forest in the Sunshine State. Fifteen natural communities are found here, ranging from scrubby flatwoods to creeks to cypress swamps. Get a bird checklist, forest road map and trail maps online or at forest HQ; maps are also available at the three major trailheads. Visitors can explore the forest either by car on unpaved forest roads, or on foot, bicycle or horseback via multi-use trails.
The 560,000-acre Green Swamp spans four counties, gives rise to four major river systems and provides much of central Florida’s drinking water supply. The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve’s West Tract (part of the Green Swamp Ecosystem Important Bird Area) is but one component of a 110,000-acre parcel safeguarding the portion of the swamp that gives rise to the Withlacoochee River. The West Tract also provides excellent recreational access to upland pasture, sandhills, cypress domes, riverfront and “Wildcat Swamp”.
Although not an actual island, this site locally known as “Beer Can Island” encompasses the north tip of Longboat Key. Park at the west end of Broadway St. and follow the short boardwalk to the beach. Although the tip was once accessible only at low tide, the beach has been renourished, and now visitors can walk northward for 0.8 miles all the way to the Longboat Key bridge.
Picturesque pine flatwoods lining the entrance drive to Hagen’s Cove Recreation Area shelter Eastern Wild Turkey, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Towhee and Brown-headed Nuthatch. The jewel of this area is the viewing tower which overlooks marsh, mudflats and the waters of the Gulf of America.
Step back in time in this splendid little piece of “Old Florida.” The park encompasses 70 acres of bayheads and hydric hammock, plus pine groves, a mangrove swamp, tidal creeks, canals, a lake and a remnant section of sand pine scrub. Five miles of nature trails, boardwalks, an observation deck and well-placed benches make this park fun and easy to explore.
Hart Springs Park offers a wheelchair-friendly, 0.5-mile boardwalk through bald cypress trees along the Suwannee River.Trails through thick xeric hammock lead to some open areas good for Eastern Meadowlark and Northern Bobwhite. A variety of camping and lodging options are available. For paddlers, this park is a stop on the Gilchrist Blueway Trail and the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.
Visitors must travel 6 miles on privately-maintained Cow Creek Grade to get to the Hickory Mound Impoundment entrance. Although the dirt road can be rough, the drive is worth it to reach this wild area. Good dike roads within the WMA surround the impoundment and give good vantages of the brackish marsh and scattered islands of sabal palms and oaks.
This site is one of Florida’s oldest and most scenic state parks. At the entrance, pick up maps and a bird checklist. For Florida Scrub-Jays, veer right just after the ranger station, pass through the family campground, and explore the biking trails (3 miles are paved). Eight additional short hiking trails, including the Ancient Hammock Trail and Alexander Blair Big Oak Trail, and an 11-mile equestrian trail provide plenty of birding action. One-hour guided tram tours run daily; other educational programs and tours are available (call ahead for details). Multiple camping options and a full-service restaurant are available; bikes may be rented on-site.
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and opened in 1938, this gem of the Tampa area is one of Florida’s oldest and most scenic state parks. Hardwood/sabal palm hammocks, pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, freshwater wetlands, ponds and Florida river “rapids” (a few are class II) provide valuable shelter for wildlife and endless enjoyment for outdoor recreators. Hike the extensive trail system (four trails totaling 7.3 miles, including a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail), or canoe downstream on the Hillsborough River State Canoe Trail.About 25 percent of the park lies in lowland areas which are prone to seasonal flooding; call the park for trail conditions prior to your visit.
Hike the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) as it follows the Suwannee River through the Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area’s gorgeous old-growth bottomland and floodplain forest. You will be rewarded with nice vantages from the occasional river bluffs; additional habitats include sandhills, upland mixed forest and floodplain swamp.
Covering parts of four counties, the 157,479-acre Withlacoochee State Forest is Florida’s third largest state forest. The Rooks Trail is a 2.7-mile loop (round trip) which runs past several ponds and through improved pasture, hardwood swamp and a sandhill forest. This trail is excellent for a casual hike, and is well-marked and well-maintained.
Formerly known as Hog Island, this barrier island is famous for its 4 miles of picturesque beaches. Not surprisingly, this is one of Florida’s most visited state parks, with nearly 1 million beachgoers and wildlife watchers annually. The park also protects other important wildlife habitats including coastal strand, flatwoods, maritime hammock, seagrass beds, tidal flats and mangroves. The Pelican Trail, which winds along Pelican Cove, as well as the park’s beaches, offer excellent birding opportunities; two observation decks provide particularly good viewing at low tide.
Although world famous for its river tubing in warm weather, the wildlife, scenery and pristine waters at Ichetucknee Springs State Park are equally impressive. Winding through the park’s hardwood forest stands and wetlands are a clear spring run and the first 3.5 miles of the 6-mile Ichetucknee River, where sightings of Florida Gar, Florida Softshell Turtle, Wood Duck, Anhinga, Limpkin, Broad-winged Hawk, Mississippi Kite, Prothonotary Warbler and American Beaver are possible.
Park your car at the Inglis Dam Recreation Area and boat ramp for access to the foot trails, plus Lake Rousseau, the Withlacoochee River and the Cross Florida Barge Canal. At the dam, scope the reservoir for wintering waterbirds. Cross the dam and walk north to the 1,200-acre Inglis Island, where nearly 4 miles of multi-use, unpaved loop trails lead through successional habitats including pine flatwoods, mixed hardwood hammocks and cypress swamp. A 2-mile, multi-use paved trail leads from the dam to Mullet Point, the island’s northwest corner. Boat ramps above and below the dam allow for waterbird observation on both the river and the lake.
An unexpected treasure in the middle of New Port Richey, this preserve has a site checklist of 140+ species. Visitors may hike the river or upland (scrub and sandhills) loop trails or paddle the river, which changes quickly from a wide waterway to a winding stream over-arched with vegetation.Park amenities include a canoe launch, boardwalk and observation deck. No pets are allowed at this preserve.
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park is one of three tracts comprising the 18,000-acre Starkey Wilderness Preserve (an Important Bird Area), which helps safeguard the Anclote and Pithlachascotee Rivers and the region’s water supply. The preserve, cooperatively managed by Pasco County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, protects freshwater swamps and marshes, scrub, sandhills, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks. Start at the nature center on the west side of the park to get yourself oriented, and then take the boardwalk behind the center across the floodplain forest to the Pithlachascotee River. The best birding by far is along the 6.7-mile paved bike trail, which connects to the paved 42-mile Suncoast Trail on the east side of the park.
The “Road to Nowhere” is a paved road (CR 361) that runs from Steinhatchee for 12 miles nearly all the way to the Gulf of America. Birders and wildlife watchers will want to explore the southern end (the last 6 miles) of the road, which skirts along the eastern boundary and eventually terminates inside the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area’s Jena Unit. A map of the 11,651-acre Jena Unit is available on the FWC’s website.
Located in northeast Hamilton County near the Georgia border, the entrance road for the Jennings Bluff Tract leads gradually down through upland hardwood forest to a trail along the slow, tannic Alapaha River. Other habitats include hydric hammock, scrubby flatwoods, sandhills and open field.
A wheelchair-friendly boardwalk and a multi-use trail allow birders to explore this productive LHWP tract once known as Flint Creek Park. Visitors will encounter a picturesque swamp and adjacent uplands.Hikers, bikers and equestrians may also ramble down the historic Old Fort King Trail (6.7 miles), which is paved for the first 2 miles (mind vehicular traffic at all road crossings) and connects with Hillsborough River State Park.
Named for a Pinellas County commissioner and park champion, this site on the southeast shore of Lake Tarpon has traditional recreation areas as well as quieter spots perfect for the birder and nature enthusiast. Three short nature trails (2.7 miles total) with shell footpaths wind through pine flatwoods and oak hammocks; boardwalks lead through cypress edge and freshwater swamp to Brooker Creek. Climb the 40-foot observation tower for a great view of the lake.
A small spot of green in urban Pinellas County, this city park’s cool, shady hammock attracts a myriad of migrating songbirds in spring and fall. Walk the woodland trails (paved and crushed shell) on either side of the park’s entrance road. A 460-foot boardwalk leads out to a covered platform set amongst the mangroves on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Though fairly small in size, this nature park offers hiking trails through sand pine uplands and a viewing tower overlooking mud flats on the Gulf where shorebirds and waders feed at low tide. A splendid 0.2-mile boardwalk on the south side of the park connects to Anclote Gulf Park. This park is part of the Coastal Pasco Important Bird Area, which encompasses 7 separate locations.
Once inside this unlikely jewel, you’d hardly believe you’re on the North Florida Community College campus. Access the trailhead behind the science annex/technology center, where a 0.75-mile and two 0.5-mile mulched trails and boardwalks crisscross the hardwood and pine forest. Trail #1 runs past Wood Duck Pond, which has a large observation deck. Trail #2 leads through a black gum/red maple swamp and across a small gurgling stream which draws migratory songbirds. Open field habitats are also present at this site.
Lake Panasoffkee WMA is a popular hunting and equestrian destination as well as an Important Bird Area. Birding is best here in cool weather, and 18 miles of multiuse trails provide plenty of options. The WMA is closed during special opportunity hunts. Check with FWC for hunting dates, regulations, and more information.
A serene oasis on the northern outskirts of the greater Tampa/St. Petersburg metropolis, Lake Rogers Park is an easily accessed site that is perfect for beginners. A 2.5-mile trail circles its namesake lake, where you can watch Ospreys fishing and Snowy Egrets, White Ibises and Little Blue Herons wading in the shallows.Additional amenities include picnic shelters, a canoe/kayak launch and rentals (gasoline motors are not permitted in the park’s two lakes).
This small city park is a good stop for travelers in search of a quick morning or evening of birding in a friendly small town setting. The park abuts Lake Butler, a 350-acre, unspoiled lake with a diverse assemblage of winter waterfowl such as American Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Common Loon and Horned Grebe and other waterbirds.
Formerly known as Hernando Beach Park, this county-owned site on Jenkins Creek is ideal for beginning birders. From the main parking area, a footbridge over the creek leads to a 40-foot observation tower with a superb view of the marsh and the Gulf of America.
Twelve natural communities are represented at this state park, including flatwoods, scrub, hydric and xeric hammocks, floodplain forest and freshwater swamp. The Little Manatee River (an Outstanding Florida Water and part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve) flows for 4.5 miles through the park and separates the main public use area on the south side of the river from the wilderness area on the north side. The short Oxbow Nature Trail along the river’s south side gives a good introduction to the park’s wildlife-viewing possibilities, but the best birding here is actually on the hiking trails north of the river (part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, accessed from a separate entrance off US 301).
The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission jointly manage this site, which protects the water quality and wildlife within the Orange Creek Basin. Cross Creek Trail (A) is one of two main access points; hike the trail here to the marsh overlook.
The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve (LHWP) protects 13 miles of the Hillsborough River. Visitors can paddle through cypress swamps surrounded by wading birds, turtles, alligators and lilies, hike more than 60 miles of forested trails, fish from riverside boardwalks, or enjoy a picnic. The landscape, mainly riverine forests and pine flatwoods, is managed for biodiversity, … Read more
The north side of this 53,000-acre national wildlife refuge lies in Dixie County and has several recommended stops for birding and wildlife viewing. Shired Island Beach trails lead you through coastal hammocks, past mudflats and open beach. Dixie Mainline (B, C) is a 9-mile, unpaved road through pine flatwoods, bottomland hardwoods and marsh. Fishbone Creek (D), accessed from CR 357, has an observation platform with a vantage of salt marsh, plus a small boat launch on the creek. Salt Creek (E) has an ADA-accessible boardwalk to the salt marsh where Bald Eagles frequently nest.
The headquarters and the southern portion of this scenic refuge lie in Levy County. Stop at the office for maps and information, and drop by the large bat house and interpretive display nearby. The 0.3-mile River Trail is a brief lowland walk through a cypress and maple swamp to a boardwalk and a two-level deck at the water’s edge. For driving access, visit the 9-mile, unpaved Lower Suwannee Nature Drive and cruise through upland pine forests and dark, cool lowlands and swamps good for songbirds.
A boardwalk meanders from the spring run to the Suwannee River, through a cypress stand. Florida Manatees are present in the spring run and river each winter, and from December 1 to March 30, the spring run is closed to paddlers to protect the manatees from disturbance. The park offers 8.5 miles of nature trails through cypress swamp and uplands; the best birding opportunities are near the river.
The Greenway is a 110-mile linear park running across central Florida. It includes parts of the St. Johns River and the Gulf coast, and in some places is more than a mile wide. The park features more than 300 miles of trails for paddling, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian use, and paved multi-use paths. As a … Read more
If you’re in Sumter County, stop by and check the shoreline of this small county park for Limpkin, Snowy Egret, Belted Kingfisher, Wood Duck and other waterbirds. A boat launch allows access to a tributary of Lake Panasoffkee, and the adjacent hardwood hammock makes birding the edges of the property worthwhile in migration.
The Mason Creek Trail leads boaters into the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, which is accessible by canoe, kayak or motorboat. Mason Creek winds westward through salt marsh and past mudflats and hardwood hammocks for 5 miles out to the Gulf of America. Fall through spring is best for wildlife viewing, for comfort as well as for spotting Royal Terns and Bald Eagles. Be forewarned, however, that the creek can be extremely shallow during the winter.
There’s more here to this park than first meets the eye. From the parking area, visitors have two options. The first is a short nature trail which leads to a 915-foot boardwalk, where you will journey through the mangroves to the bountiful mudflats of McKay Bay. The second option is to take the paved 1.25-mile multi-use trail which winds southward through the park; this trail circles the southern tip of the peninsula before heading west back to 34th St. Shorebirding can be excellent but difficult at this park; a spotting scope is recommended.
The McKethan Lake Day Use Area lies 0.2 miles north of the Withlacoochee State Forest’s visitor center, where you can pick up a map and other information about the 157,479-acre forest. The entrance road circles this site’s park-like margins, which are shaded by large live oaks. A 2-mile nature trail leaves from the entrance pay station and crosses the road several times as it winds through the scenic hardwood hammock surrounding this site.
Morningside Nature Center features longleaf pine savanna, flatwoods, cypress domes, more than 6 miles of trails, a popular bird blind, educational nature center and living history farm. The bird blind offers good views of common birds like American Goldfinch and Eastern Towhee (patience is rewarded here, bring your camera). Hiking trails offer similar species, plus savanna specialties.
This county-run park on the Hillsborough River has excellent songbird viewing. It’s also another access point for the Hillsborough River State Canoe Trail and the multi-use Wilderness Park Off-Road Trail System (see above for a list of connecting GFBWT sites). On the north side of the park, bird the 0.25-mile boardwalk and nature trail which runs through lush riparian forest, and then walk the 0.75-mile trail on the south side of the park to an abandoned bridge.
This is one of the largest of Florida’s state parks, and it will easily keep you birding and exploring all day long. Take the 7-mile scenic drive through shady hammocks and grassy marshes and along the Upper Myakka lakeshore. From Oct.-Apr., ducks, wading birds, shorebirds, ospreys and eagles are seen from the lakeshore, the Birdwalk, or by canoeing along the river’s grassy edges. Don’t miss the elevated canopy walkway through an oak-palm hammock and the 74-foot-high observation tower.
This paddling trail winds for 20 miles through salt marsh from Fort Island Trail Park south to Mason Creek and beyond to the Chassahowitzka River Campground in Homosassa. The trail passes through the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve and the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.
In late fall and winter, flats in the channels between the islands of Cedar Key host a tremendous diversity of shorebirds and waterbirds which can be viewed from this easily-accessible vantage point. Low tide is best and a spotting scope is quite helpful here—set up your tripod on the 215-foot pier or at the edge of the ample parking lot—there are plenty of great views to go around. Don’t forget to scan the salt marsh on the west side of the parking lot for more wading birds and rails.
The “Natural Land Bridge” between the River Rise and River Sink areas on the Santa Fe River has been an important crossing for travelers for at least 7,000 years. Dozens of miles of multi-use trails permit modern visitors to search for wildlife in these adjoining state parks’ hardwood hammocks, river swamps and sandhills.
Located less than ten minutes from historic downtown Ocala, the park includes 2.5 miles of ADA accessible paved trails. Find Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and Pie-billed Grebes throughout the year, occasional Purple Gallinules, and uncommon birds like the Virginia Rail, Sora, LeConte’s Sparrow, Roseate Spoonbill, Bobolink, and Black-necked Stilts. Keep an eye out for American Alligators, Florida Softshell Turtles, southern water snakes, and green treefrogs throughout the park.
The restoration of the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin and its system of wetlands depends in large part upon this St. Johns River Water Management District property. This location is an excellent spot for ducks, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, sparrows and blackbirds.
This site is listed by the National Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. This is the smallest and least visited of Florida’s national forests.Habitats include long leaf pine forest, cypress-lined lakes, and hydric hammock. The Forest has many amenities and trails, and lots of wildlife to find.
Otter Springs is a second-magnitude spring with a daily flow of 10 million gallons; its 73° F waters feed into the nearby Suwannee River. A canoe launch and rental canoes are available at the head of the 0.9-mile spring run. The park has more than 5 miles of well-marked, well-maintained, multi-use trails from which you can explore a variety of habitats such as bottomland and floodplain forest, swamp, upland mixed forest, pine flatwoods and sandhills. Golf carts are allowed on the trails.
This peninsular city park on the western shore of Newnan’s Lake offers the usual Florida waterbirds year-round, but is known locally for its songbird fallouts in migration. Native wildflowers attract many butterfly species here like Zebra Swallowtail. Canoeists and kayakers can access the 7,400-acre lake’s Potano Paddling Trail from the park (bring your own boat) and at 3 additional launch points on the lake.
Located in the Polk Uplands of northern Hardee County, this state park preserves 10 natural communities along the Peace River (an Outstanding Florida Water) as well as historic sites pertaining to the Third Seminole War. Five nature trail loops guide visitors through scrub, pine flatwoods, xeric hammock, bottomland forest and bay swamp habitats; a trail along the river connects trail loops on the eastern and western sides of the park. The trails nearest the river and the ecotones between habitats are particularly good for migratory songbirds in fall.
Famed author and naturalist William Bartram explored the vast Paynes Prairie in 1774 and dubbed it the “great Alachua Savanna.” Today this spectacular park encompasses nearly all of the 16,000-acre basin marsh and wet prairie, plus hardwood hammocks, flatwoods, swamps, lakes and streams. Visitors may choose from 8 trails including the paved mutli-use, 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail. The main entrance on Savannah Blvd. (A) has a staffed visitor center with interpretive exhibits and an audiovisual program.
Stop by this City of Tampa park on the Interbay Peninsula for a quick birding break and to take in the views of Tampa Bay. Start at the 350-foot fishing pier. From the southern parking area, a paved path leads to an observation platform at the south tip of the island. Boat and kayak launches enable visitors to watch wildlife on Picnic Island Bayou from the water.
Potts Preserve is another Southwest Florida Water Management District property that protects the water resources of the Withlacoochee River, the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes and the Floridan Aquifer. This wilderness tract offers 30 miles of trails, plus oak hammocks, river frontage, marshes, pine flatwoods and improved pasture. Accordingly, the diversity of birdlife is tremendous, and the River Trail is particularly good.
A leisurely float down the crystal clear Rainbow River is an experience you won’t soon forget. In addition to being a state aquatic preserve, the entire river is a designated National Natural Landmark and an Outstanding Florida Waterway.
Famous for its first magnitude springs (fourth largest in Florida) and former site of a private theme park, this site reopened to the public in 1995. Start by picking up a trail map at the visitor center. A series of paved and brick walkways around and above the scenic headsprings can yield resident and migratory songbirds, plus waders and waterbirds.
These two interconnected city parks create a nice patch of green in greater Tampa. Visitors will enjoy the boardwalk and 2-mile nature trail system shadowing the Hillsborough River. From the parking area for Riverhills Park, take the boardwalk and trail southward to a forested area in the adjoining 30-acre Scout Park, a good spot for songbirds like Great Crested Flycatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Red-eyed Vireo and Palm Warbler. A trail loop at the end, a spur trail running north, and another restroom encourage longer searches for skulkers such as House Wren and Common Yellowthroat.
Don’t miss this small but productive gem on the Gulf of America; birders have recorded 200 species at this compact peninsular park.Wintering sandpipers, plovers, gulls and terns congregate on its beach, and the park has a tendency for remarkable songbird landfall events in spring migration. Get here early–the entrance gate area (nicknamed the “Green Key Funnel”) can be excellent for hordes of spring migrants.
Numerous wading birds, shore birds, and migratory songbirds are routinely observed at the site in coastal northwest Bradenton. Watch for Wood Storks, White Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, Clapper Rails, Southeastern American Kestrels, Great Horned Owls, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Double-crested Cormorants and a variety of ducks, herons, egrets, sandpipers, plovers, gulls and terns.
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.
Spring and fall are especially good times to visit this state park and Important Bird Area on the northwest side of Gainesville. From the south entrance (A) on Millhopper Rd., you may choose among three hiking trails (0.9, 4.8 and 5.6 miles) that run past sinkholes and through sandhills and mature hardwood hammocks. From the north entrance (B), 20 miles of multi-use trails are available (dogs are not allowed).
While you’re in Clearwater Beach, stop by this county park any time of year for a quick birding break. The beach/dune natural community and parking areas make up the western half of the park, where you will find most of the visitors.The park’s eastern half has small hammocks and scattered patches of trees, where you can see woodpeckers and songbirds all year long; a few migrants like American Redstart drop by in spring and fall. A nature trail loops through the trees and open areas in the park’s interior (watch for Loggerhead Shrike and Palm Warbler), and leads to a brackish pond on the southern park boundary.
Located at the north end of Lake Yale, this preserve has an impressive 600-acre sawgrass marsh, plus additional wetlands. Six multi-use loop trails meander around three sides of the marsh through varied and well-maintained habitats, including mesic and xeric hardwood hammock, pine flatwoods, shrub/brushland and pasture.
Despite its location alongside bustling I-275, this urban oasis is a major beacon for birds. A habitat restoration project at this county park was completed in December 2012, which makes this site even better for wildlife and wildlife watchers. The large maple swamp and associated hardwood hammocks at this park are laced with boardwalks and trail loops.This park is one of the best locations on the GFBWT to find Short-tailed Hawks.
Just north of Fort De Soto Park lies a remarkable preserve reachable only by boat. Shell Key is the largest in the preserve’s collection of islands, and this 195-acre undeveloped barrier island is managed by Pinellas County to achieve a balanced blend of recreation and conservation. A vitally important shorebird nesting and resting site, Shell Key’s central core is a 110-acre Bird Preservation Area which is clearly posted as off-limits to visitors. However, there are two public use areas (northern and southern) on the island with beach access.
Silver Springs State Park encompasses a variety of natural community types and is a good site for the beginning birder. Bird walks are scheduled monthly, so call for details. Twenty-three total miles of hiking/biking trails and a boat launch for canoes and kayaks will keep you coming back for more.
This park and campground on the fabled Suwannee River is a popular destination for music lovers, paddlers as well as wildlife watchers. Habitats include mixed hardwood forest, riparian forest, sandhills, flatwoods, fields and bay swamp. Stop at the park office to pick up maps and to pay the admission fee. Twenty miles of hiking and multi-use trails are at your disposal; cars and golf carts are allowed on selected trails for those not able to hike. One of the park’s big attractions is a super-sized bat house inhabited by thousands of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats.
Sportsman’s Cove Resort is a privately-run fish camp on Orange Lake, an 18,000-acre lake known for its wading bird, shorebird and wintering duck populations. Groups of 100 or more migratory Sandhill Cranes may gather in winter on the flats near shore, and small numbers of resident cranes may be found all year.
Confession time: you bird while you’re driving, don’t you? Play it safe then, and pull over at one of these three roadside rest stops where you can relax, set up your spotting scope and take in the birds and the view. Stops A and B on the Courtney Campbell Causeway (a designated Florida Scenic Highway) overlook Old Tampa Bay, and stop C (now located 0.9 miles east of its former location) on the Clearwater Memorial Causeway overlooks Clearwater Harbor and the Intracoastal Waterway.
The Jefferson County portion of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on the east side of the Aucilla River. In spring and summer look for Swallow-tailed Kites, Yellow-crowned Night Herons and Green Herons. As you paddle you may encounter Limpkins, River Otters and maybe a manatee!
Come explore the marshlands of the historic Ocklawaha River channel and witness firsthand the impressive restoration efforts to improve wildlife habitat, water quality and flood prevention.
Situated at the confluence of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, this state park features numerous aquatic habitats (sinks, springs and streams), plus sandhills, upland pine and mixed forest, bottomland forest and floodplain forest. Five hiking trails range in length from 0.25 to 18 miles. The best trails for birding parallel the bluffs and limestone outcroppings of the Suwannee River.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park is a hotspot for rarities and home to more than 260 species of birds, dozens of reptiles and amphibians, bobcats, otters and more! Some of the most exciting birds found there include the occasional Vermillion Flycatcher and park regulars like Snail Kites, Limpkins, Virginia and King Rails, Great Horned Owls, Roseate Spoonbills, and Painted Buntings. Watch for other wildlife like Two-Toed Amphiumas, Leopard Frogs, Monarch Butterflies and Round Tailed Muskrats.
The observation platform at the Tampa Electric Company’s Big Bend Power Station was constructed to allow viewing of Florida Manatees, one of Florida’s most popular and iconic wildlife species. Up to 300 manatees spend the winter resting and feeding in the shallow waters, especially when water temperatures fall below 68° F. They are drawn here by the warm water emerging from the utility plant, and in fact, the discharge canal is a designated state and federal sanctuary! Manatee and bird watchers alike love the 900-foot, ADA-compliant boardwalk that runs through the adjacent mangrove forest; it creates an excellent vantage of the mudflats.
The Tide Swamp Unit’s 9-mile driving tour offers excellent access to the scenic coastal hardwoods and managed pine forests found on this portion of the WMA. Foot and bicycle traffic is welcome year-round, and numerous tram roads meander through the area (note: some gates may be locked).
Trout Creek Park provides visitors an opportunity to check the boardwalk and hammock for migrants, and to scan the river for waterbirds; it’s worth a quick peek when you’re in the vicinity. If you have limited time, focus your attention on the boardwalk and loop trail immediately north and south of the parking area. Download park maps from the SWFWMD website.
The Twin Rivers State Forest’s scenic Ellaville Tract borders the western shore of the Suwannee River. Wildlife watchers can explore miles of forest roads and trails here; habitats include sandhills, upland mixed forest, bottomland forest and floodplain forest. The Blue Springs Tract is an example of a rare longleaf-wiregrass community.
Sandhills, scrub, hardwood hammocks and open, wet prairie comprise the Two-Mile Prairie Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, an Important Bird Area. The 2.8-mile, multi-use, Johnson Pond Trail will take you past its namesake pond, where an observation deck provides views of Anhinga, Green Heron, Little Blue Heron, Wood Duck and Blue-winged Teal.
A stone’s throw from urban Tampa, you’d never guess such primordial solitude could be so close by. The Upper Hillsborough River is part of the state canoe trail system managed by the Florida Park Service’s Office of Greenways and Trails; this particular river is an easy paddle for most of its length, with great birding and wildlife watching.
Bordered by Old Tampa Bay (Mobbly Bay) and Double Branch Creek, this peninsular park protects salt marsh, mangrove, freshwater marsh, maritime hammock and pine flatwoods communities, plus freshwater ponds, oyster bars, salt barrens and Native American shell mounds. Visitors may explore the park via hiking trails and boardwalks or via canoe/kayak; a launch on the east side of the park provides access to the creek and the bay.
The relatively undeveloped Upper Withlacoochee River is cold and swift, and it provides a great wildlife viewing experience for boaters. Withlacoochee is a Native American word meaning “crooked river” and it certainly lives up to its name! As you drift through the cypress-laden floodplain, keep your eyes and ears open.
Weedon Island and Tampa Bay have a rich history dating back at least 7,000 years; come experience this “place to remember” and see for yourself the past, present and future connections between the area’s culture and environment. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk system (connected by a paved interpretive trail) leads away from the main parking area to the mangrove-lined edges and tidal flats of Tampa Bay. Visitors have ample viewing opportunities thanks to a 45-foot observation tower, the Bay and Tower Boardwalks and three observation platforms on the bay and saltwater ponds.
Another component of the Chassahowitzka-Weekiwachee Important Bird Area, the Weekiwachee Preserve protects a first magnitude spring, portions of the Weeki Wachee and Mud Rivers, hardwood swamps, sandhills, flatwoods, freshwater marsh, salt marsh and numerous pit lakes. This preserve offers 9.9 miles of improved trails and “woodland” roads; visitors may drive into the property on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Cyclists may also enter via the 1.3-mile paved main entrance road and a secondary access road off Shoal Line Blvd. on the west side of the preserve.
This site protects 4 miles of pristine coastline north of Port Richey along with its namesake salt springs, salt and grass flats, seagrass beds, salt marshes and tidal creeks. While much of this property is not yet accessible to the public, three separate areas are currently open for hiking and kayaking.
This small state park protects one of the longest underwater cave systems in the U.S., as well upland mixed forest, pine forest, floodplain forest and swamp. A popular spot for scuba diving, swimming and picnicking, this site is best birded in the morning.
One of two GFBWT locations on the 90,000-acre, 110-mile Cross Florida Greenway, this site offers a multitude of exploration options for visitors of all mobility levels. West of the US 19 bridge is the Withlacoochee Bay Trail (WBT), a 5-mile, paved multi-use trail that follows the south shore of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, then leads through maritime hammock and salt marsh, finally ending at an observation deck on the Gulf of America.
This Town of Yankeetown property opened to the public in 2009, and it features salt marsh, pine flatwoods and mixed hammocks of hardwoods, cedars and palms, plus tidal ponds and creeks. Visitors have 3.5 miles of well-marked hiking trails and 4.5 miles of biking opportunities. The 3-story, on-site Ellie Schiller Education Center has educational programs, museum exhibits and a butterfly garden.
Pasco County’s Withlacoochee River Park protects sandhill bluffs overlooking the river, as well as floodplain forest, a small wet prairie and other seasonal wetlands. Amenities include a 40-foot viewing tower, picnic shelters and restrooms for family birding. The Florida Trail Association maintains 5 miles of hiking trails in the park; 8 miles of additional trails (including a 1.7-mile paved trail) are available.
Withlacoochee is a Native American word meaning “crooked river,” a fitting description of the Withlacoochee River’s winding path through 13 miles of the forest. The area is rich in wildlife, with several species listed as endangered or threatened. Visitors may spot Bald Eagles, Fox Squirrels, Gopher Tortoises, White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkeys and rabbits. The forest … Read more
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