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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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 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