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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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