How to Go Bird Watching in Florida

The Sunshine State of Florida provides bird watchers with a bonanza of bird species and in a splendid natural setting. The state is popular not just with human vacationers but with migrating birds as well, especially in the winter months.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bird watching guide
• A spotting scope or binoculars
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Notebook

1. Begin a Florida bird watching trip along the Greater Florida Birding Trail. The 2,000-mile trail, created by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, has 445 birding sites. The Trail is divided into 4 sections: Panhandle, East, West and South, with each region having detailed guidebooks. To further assist birders, the Greater Florida Birding Trail has 9 "gateways" located at top bird watching hot spots across Florida, which provide information, checklists and even loaner optics for bird watching.
2. Visit the sub-tropics of South Florida and enjoy the incredible diversity of bird life. The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in southern Florida is on the northern edge of the Everglades and offers some of the best bird watching in the region. From Purple Gallinules, Great Blue Herons to the Anhinga, the rich biodiversity of the Loxahatchee Refuge will provide days of bird watching fun. More adventurous bird watchers can journey out in a canoe and travel into the interior area.
3. Travel over to the Panhandle area and the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge outside Tallahassee. This 68,000-acre refuge was established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. The area includes tidal marshes, islands and the estuaries of 7 northern Florida rivers. With over 40 species identified within the area of the Refuge, the area is one of northern Florida's best bird watching spots.
4. Journey down to the Dry Tortugas for some great tropical and migratory bird watching. The area is an internationally famous birding location. West Indian bird species inhabit the area such as the Bahamas Swallow and the Variegated Flycatcher. The Dry Tortugas are located 70 miles west of Key West. Call the Key West Chamber of Commerce at [phone] for information on transportation to the island.
5. Print out the bird checklists, maps and guides from the sources listed below. Florida is a large state and extra time should be given to sightseeing and relaxation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are planning a winter or summer bird watching trip to Florida, you should make reservations far in advance, as these are the peak tourist seasons.