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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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