St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1931 to provide winter habitat for migratory birds, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Spanning over 86,000 acres and including approximately 43 miles of the north Florida coast, the Refuge features coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks, and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers. This Globally Important Bird Area offers seasonal highlights: spring migrations of warblers and shorebirds, summer flocks of white ibis, eastern kingbirds, and purple martins, and waterfowl in the fall and winter. We recommend visiting three locations within the Refuge: St. Marks Unit (Headquarters), Otter Lake Recreation Area, and Aucilla River, which are about 30 to 45 minutes apart by car.
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Sites At This Location
St. Marks Unit (Headquarters)
With more than 300 recorded bird species it won’t come as a surprise to learn that St. Marks NWR is regarded as one of the best birding sites in Florida. Stop at the visitor center for a map and check the sightings log; loaner optics are available. From here head to the helipad, which is good for wintering Henslow’s Sparrow; East River Pool is spectacular; look for wintering Vermilion Flycatchers in the roadside trees, and at dusk, big flocks of waders flyover; Stoney Bayou Pool and the Mounds Pools hold 20+ species of waterfowl in winter and 20+ species of shorebird during migration. Stoney Bayou #2 and Mounds Pool #3 provide the best opportunity to see American Black Ducks in Florida (December to February is best). In winter, the refuge offers tram tours around the impoundments. Headquarters Pond is good for Purple Gallinule. The Mounds Trail around Tower Pond is very good for migrant songbirds in spring. In April and May visit Tower Pool 2-3 hours before high tide for spectacular views of shorebirds; rarities like Hudsonian Godwit have been recorded and Gull-billed Terns are regular in early May. At the road’s terminus at the lighthouse, look for wintering waterbirds. Red-throated Loons are recorded annually. Lighthouse pond is good for wintering ducks including Canvasback. Butterfly viewing is best here in fall, especially September and October. Monarch butterflies congregate on their fall migration to Mexico; a Monarch festival is held in October. Along Lighthouse Dr., keep your eyes open for American Alligators, Bobcats, River Otters and Florida Black Bears.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
Managing Agency
US Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Operational Hours: 6am to sundown
Size: 46,347 acres
St. Marks NWR – Aucilla River
Located on the east side of the Aucilla River, the Jefferson County portion of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge can be accessed from the public boat ramp at the end of Mandalay Road in Taylor County. In spring and summer look for Swallow-tailed Kites cruising above the treetops and Yellow-crowned Night Herons and Green Herons feeding along the river’s edge. As you paddle south along the river you may encounter Limpkins, River Otters and maybe a Manatee! Once you reach the saltmarsh at the river’s mouth look and listen for resident Clapper Rails, Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Wrens, and in winter bay ducks such as Lesser Scaup and Bufflehead will be present. American Oystercatchers, Willets and Ruddy Turnstones frequent oyster bars when the tide is low and look for Bald Eagles and Ospreys in the skies above.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
Operational Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Size: 210 acres
Otter Lake Recreation Area
Though not as famous as the St. Marks Unit, the Panacea Unit a.k.a Otter Lake offers good birding too. Look for migratory songbirds in the oaks around the picnic area and along the shoreline and in the cypress trees around the boat launch for Prothonotary Warblers (summer) and Little Blue Herons. You can opt to hike one of the longer trails: the south Piney Ridge Trail loop (5 miles) or the north Otter Lake Trail loop (9 miles). The latter runs through pinewoods interrupted by occasional bayheads and wetlands. Watch for Red-headed and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Wild Turkeys and Northern Bobwhites. At dusk, check the boat launch for Wood Storks, Snowy Egrets and both vultures coming to roost; an Osprey nest is visible at the site and you may see Bald Eagles in the winter months. Swallow-tailed Kites can be seen soaring overhead in spring and summer while raucous Red-shouldered Hawks are common.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
View Seasonal Hunting Information
Managing Agency
US Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Operational Hours: sunrise to sundown
Size: 788 acres
