Palm Point Nature Park (at Newnans Lake)

This peninsular, city park on the western shore of Newnans Lake offers the usual Florida waterbirds year-round, but is known locally for its songbird fallouts in migration. Look for Prothonotary, Blue-winged and Yellow-throated Warblers, as well as Scarlet Tanager, Painted Bunting and Blue Grosbeak. During periods of low water, the lake has hosted shorebirds such as Pectoral Sandpiper, Willet, and American Avocet. Keep alert for flyovers of Bald Eagle and Northern Harrier (winter). Native wildflowers attract many butterfly species here like Zebra Swallowtail. Rarities such as Brant, Eared Grebe, Hudsonian Godwit, Franklin’s Gull, Black-billed Cuckoo, and Western Tanager are on the site’s checklist, which contains more than 230 species. When hurricanes impact the Gainesville area, tropical and pelagic seabirds have sought shelter on the lake. Amazingly a Black-capped Petrel was found during Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. When the lake is calm 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. Portions of the Newnans Lake Conservation Area (managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District) abut the lake on the north and east sides and provide additional viewing opportunities.