Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area

WEST: This site offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to bird in some of the most beautiful parts of rural Glades County. Rent a canoe or bring your own and secure a shuttle from FWC’s campground concessionaire. You can then paddle slowly down Fisheating Creek through pristine cypress swamp. From this vantage, birders can enjoy views of herons and egrets without the need for binoculars. Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers are known to land on the gunwale of boats and dozens of Swallow-tailed Kites wheel overhead in the summer. Red-shouldered Hawks and Belted Kingfishers announce your presence loudly and Wood Storks and Common Gallinules watch silently as you drift by. Water levels vary widely with rainfall; call ahead to confirm conditions. Opportunities range from a half-day float to a multi-day trip. Check out the paddling guide available on FWC’s website and call the campground at 863-675-5999 to make arrangements. Seasonal hunting takes place at this site; please (https://ocean.floridamarine.org/HGMSearch/BrochureDetails.aspx?sb=Specific%20Area&srctype=pfs&title=Fisheating%20Creek) check with the manager for details. EAST: A fun experience awaits you at this WMA. Parking, restrooms and a viewing platform along Fisheating Creek are available. As you walk along the trail to Fort Center, scan the pastures on both sides for resident Crested Caracara. Also keep watch for Eastern Meadowlarks, wintering sparrows and Wild Turkey. Resident hawks like Red-shouldered and Short-tailed soar overhead. The vast floodplain marsh can be good for a variety of wading birds. as well as stately Florida Sandhill Cranes. Numerous duck species such as American Wigeon, Mottled Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks visit in winter months. One of the major highlights for visitors in the summer months are the Swallow-tailed Kites. This is one of the largest pre-migration staging grounds in the country for this species; visit in late July/early August. Seasonal hunting takes place at this site please (https://ocean.floridamarine.org/HGMSearch/BrochureDetails.aspx?sb=Specific%20Area&srctype=pfs&title=Fisheating%20Creek) check with the manager for more details.

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