By Dawn S.
The entire state of Florida is a year-round birding paradise. Just look up, and you are likely to see soaring bald eagles, wood storks, or the acrobatics of a swallow-tailed kite. Be observant near any large or small body of water, including roadside retention ponds, neighborhoods, and golf courses, and you will probably see a heron, ibis, ducks, moorhens, or sandhill cranes year-round. November through April is an exceptional time for seeing Florida wildlife. Winter brings large migrating flocks that visit on their route across the East Atlantic Flyway. Springtime is nesting time, and visiting a wild bird rookery is a yearly treat my family and I look forward to. Make it even better by picking up an Escape campervan from their campervan rental in Orlando!
Where the Wild Birds Are
Great Florida Wildlife and Birding Trail
This online resource shows where to see birds and wildlife in Florida. Don’t forget to check out their Trip Planner with its interactive map that sorts the State by region and lets you choose birding and wildlife locations with amenities such as restrooms and camping.
St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
What started as a small 19th-century exhibition of local reptiles has grown into a world-renowned scientific and educational facility most famous for being the only facility on Earth to house all 24 living species of crocodilians, including alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gharials.
Wading Bird Rookery
The best time to visit the Wading Bird Rookery is March through June when you will see nesting wood storks, roseate spoonbills, and many species of herons and egrets. Read the Rookery Blog for frequent updates on which species are displaying, nest building, incubating eggs, or raising chicks during your visit. Other exhibits include crocodiles from around the world, pythons, albino alligators, lemurs, and many other exotic birds and mammals. Camp at the beautiful Anastasia State Park.
Gatorland – Alligator Capital of the World
Gatorland is a historic 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve located on South Orange Blossom Trail, right on the border of Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida. Famously nicknamed the “Alligator Capital of the World,” it was founded as a roadside attraction in 1949 by Owen Godwin and remains independently family-owned today.
Natural Bird Rookery at Gatorland
In the spring, egrets, herons, cormorants, and anhinga nest in the trees above the gator breeding marsh. Other attractions include reptile shows, gator wrestling, zip line, off-road vehicle swamp adventure, and the Gator Night Shine tour after dark. Moss Park offers excellent camping.
DID YOU KNOW?
Wild birds naturally choose to nest in the trees above alligator breeding ponds, because they know the gators will keep away any tree-climbing predators. These Alligator Zoos offer many other exhibits, shows, and activities, so allow at least a half day when you visit. Their accessible boardwalk gets you so close to the nesting action that you can watch the parents tirelessly feed their giant chicks, or see a heron stand and turn her bright blue egg. So bring your camera, sunscreen, binoculars… and wear a hat!
Audubon Center For Birds of Prey
The Audubon Center is where injured or sick raptors go to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, when possible. Visitors can learn about and get an up-close look at bald eagles, owls, falcons, ospreys, and kites. Closed on Mondays. The nearby Wekiwa Springs State Park has a campground.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
This 7-mile auto tour is a one-way loop and is worth the $10.00 entrance fee. It is an excellent place to view the Florida scrub jay, migratory ducks, ibis, roseate spoonbills, brown and white pelicans, ospreys, hawks, bald eagles, and eight types of herons and egrets. Other wildlife you may spot includes alligators and the occasional raccoon, deer, bobcat, hog, or coyote. The best time to visit is October to March, in the early morning or late afternoon.
LOCAL EATS
When visiting the MINWF, grab a brew or bite to eat at Playalinda Brewing Company or the world-famous Dixie Crossroads Restaurant in Titusville.
J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Ding Darling offers exceptional birding and wildlife viewing on the Gulf Coast. Don’t miss the visitor’s center, wildlife drive, guided nature tours, bike, kayak, and boat rentals. Sanibel Island offers beautiful white sand beaches and outstanding shelling. Camping is available at Periwinkle Park & Campground, home to exotic birds including macaws and toucans.
Butterflies and Blooms
A stroll through one of Florida’s beautiful gardens is sure to delight. They are great places for walking, picnicking, relaxing, photography, butterfly and bird watching. You can do a web search for more botanical gardens in Florida, but here are some great ones to get you started.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
3540 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32309
Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, FL 33853
Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 North Forest Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
5210 College Rd., Key West, FL 33045
Lake Eola Park
512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32803
Mead Botanical Gardens
1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park, FL 32789
Naples Botanical Garden
4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112
Ravine Gardens State Park
1600 Twigg St., Palatka, FL 32177
Sunken Gardens
1825 4th St. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast, FL 32137
HIDDEN GEM: Kraft Azalea Gardens
This lakeside park is tucked away in Winter Park, Florida. To get there, you must travel down winding brick streets and past the upscale homes of a charming “old Florida” neighborhood. You can reserve the Exedra for intimate wedding ceremonies. This secret garden has giant cypress trees, a great egret rookery, and a large banyan tree (very rare this far north in Florida). The best time to visit is Late February to early June, but the sunsets are breathtaking year-round.
I hope this has inspired you to get outside and enjoy Florida’s year-round mild weather. You never know what sights, sounds, and smells you may discover if you are willing to explore somewhere new. Plus, exploring Florida couldn’t be easier with Escape Campervans! With several Florida pick-up locations, planning your trip is easy.
