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My Top 10 Hotspots for Birding Central Florida – Part 1 of 3

Birding Central Florida

While giving several presentations on Birding Central Florida, I’m often asked where I like to go birding. This is a prominent topic during the presentation, but I frequently get the follow-up question of whether I have this list of my top ten eBird hotspots anywhere online. This is the answer to that question!

This list isn’t in any particular order from my number one spot down to tenth place; it’s more of a list of locations moving north to south across Central Florida, ending with two locations on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

My primary goal is to include as many areas as possible that provide unique species that call Central Florida home. I also want to include some exceptionally easy-to-access, underrated, or under-birded locations.

Many of you who have birded in Central Florida for any length of time will be familiar with at least some of these locations. Still, potential visitors to our state could enjoy a nice break from the traffic and noise of the more densely populated areas most people associate with our region.

Here is Part 1 of my favorite birding locations in Central Florida!

If you’d like to see Parts 2 and 3, here are their links:

Part 2: Coming soon!

Part 3: Coming soon!

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Birding Central Florida
Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) feed in the shallow, flooded fields at the end of the La Chua Trail. On the left side of the image, you can see a small herd of American Bison. (Alachua, FL, USA, 2016)
Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) feed in the shallow, flooded fields at the end of the La Chua Trail. On the left side of the image, you can see a small herd of American Bison. (Alachua, FL, USA, 2016)

Paynes Prairie is a massive 21,000-acre grassland in Alachua County, just south of Gainesville. At the time of writing, there are 277 species in the preserve. 

While the primary landscape is savannah, there are freshwater marshes, cypress swamps, live oak hammocks, and longleaf pine sandhills. This array of ecosystems is why Paynes Prairie can support such a large exhibition of avian species.

Along with the birds, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is one of the few places in Florida where you can see wild American Bison and Florida Cracker Horses roaming free.

It might seem odd, but Bison are native to Florida. At their peak, their population covered virtually all of North America, with these large mammals being seen in New York down to Georgia and North Florida.

Unfortunately, the last wild American Bison was shot in 1700. However, in 1975, a herd of Nebraskan Bison were reintroduced to Paynes Prairie, and they have been very successful over the past fifty years.

The Florida Cracker Horses are just as fascinating as the Bison.

Stemming from the horses left by Juan Ponce de León in the early 16th century, these feral steeds were left to adapt to Florida’s terrain. After nearly three hundred years, these horses were re-domesticated, and the Seminole and early settlers both saw the value of these short, nimble horses.

Birding Central Florida
A Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) hitching a ride on this Florida Cracker Horse. (Alachua, FL, USA, 2013)
A Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) hitching a ride on this Florida Cracker Horse. (Alachua, FL, USA, 2013)

Getting back to the birds, Paynes Prairie is a vital wintering site for Sandhill Cranes.

If you want to learn more about why this is the case, check out my article Where Do Sandhill Cranes Sleep:

However, to summarize, Sandhill Cranes require shallow water to sleep in since they cannot perch on a branch. The water is a warning system to alert the birds if a predator attempts to sneak up on them at night.

Occasionally, a Whooping Crane will get mixed into these massive flocks of Sandhills. These massive wading birds are stunning animals to behold.

Standing at five feet tall and with a wingspan of over seven feet, these are not easy to miss. Their brilliant white plumage makes them stand out as if in a spotlight among the tens of thousands of Sandhills in these shallow, flooded fields.

Birding Central Florida
Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) are an extremely endangered bird. Thankfully, due to conservation efforts, like the banding and radio transmitter on this bird, their numbers have increased, and their population is on the mend. (Alachua, FL, USA, 2013)
Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) are an extremely endangered bird. Thankfully, due to conservation efforts, like the banding and radio transmitter on this bird, their numbers have increased, and their population is on the mend. (Alachua, FL, USA, 2013)

Paynes Prairie is also a well-established territory for locally endangered Snail Kites.

While their global population is listed as “least concern,” according to the INCU Red List, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Snale Kite is a federally designated endangered species.

As you’ll see in my top ten picks, I prioritize locations with these locally endangered or restricted species.

Birding Central Florida
Male Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) have very simple yet striking plumage. With sooty gray feathers, bold white bands on their tails, and bright orange feet and facial skin, these raptors are quite distinct from other Florida birds of prey. (Alachua, FL, USA, 2022)
Male Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) have very simple yet striking plumage. With sooty gray feathers, bold white bands on their tails, and bright orange feet and facial skin, these raptors are quite distinct from other Florida birds of prey. (Alachua, FL, USA, 2022)

Ocala Wetlands Recharge Park

The Ocala Wetlands Recharge Park is a 60-acre space with over two and a half miles of paved walking trails. This is one of my favorite locations to bird, especially if I’m introducing people to birding for the first time.

Here, there are 186 species of avians. The ponds, thick sedges and reeds, and surrounding pine forests all contribute to this fantastic abundance only a few miles from downtown Ocala.

Birding Central Florida
Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) used to be much more abundant at the Ocala Wetlands. However, due to land development in the surrounding area, they have been less common to see. Still, they are a treat when perched in the stunning morning light. (Marion, FL, USA, 2024)
Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) used to be much more abundant at the Ocala Wetlands. However, due to land development in the surrounding area, they have been less common to see. Still, they are a treat when perched in the stunning morning light. (Marion, FL, USA, 2024)

The Ocala Wetlands is one of the best locations to see Red-headed Woodpeckers outside the Ocala National Forest (coming up next). Unfortunately, the property to the north of the Wetlands was a prominent breeding site for the Woodpeckers, and it has since been developed into apartment housing.

The Ocala Wetlands Recharge Park functions to clean stormwater by passing it through a series of cells before reentering the aquifer. Through this, the Ocala Water Resources created artificial ponds that support an exceptional ecosystem in terms of availability.

For whatever reason, a female Vermillion Flycatcher visited the Ocala Wetlands in the fall of 2022 and has returned each winter since. While there’s no way to know, I believe this is the same female Vermillion Flycatcher returning yearly.

This bird’s range typically ends around the Gulf Coast. However, there have been increasing reports of this species further inland in recent years.

Birding Central Florida
Here, the resident celebrity of the Ocala Wetlands perched perfectly for our group during a walk for the Marion Audubon Society. The female Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) has been a steady icon for the past three winters at the Wetlands. (Marion, FL, USA, 2024)
Here, the resident celebrity of the Ocala Wetlands perched perfectly for our group during a walk for the Marion Audubon Society. The female Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) has been a steady icon for the past three winters at the Wetlands. (Marion, FL, USA, 2024)

Other odd species besides the Vermillion Flycatcher have been reported at the Ocala Wetlands. Ash-throated Flycatchers, Cape May Warblers, Dunlin, LeConte’s Sparrow, and Vaux’s Swift have all been documented here.

Whether this is due to its accessibility, where more birders can come to this location, and a higher probability of seeing these rarities when they stop by, or it is merely coincidence, there is no way to know.

Just down the road from the Ocala Wetlands is Tuscawilla Park. This is a fantastic location for birding, and we’ve had luck with certain species.

On several walks with the Marion Audubon Society, we’ve seen Wood Ducks, American White Pelicans, and the odd Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Tuscawilla is another exceptionally well-maintained park that is great for first-time birders. For this reason, we often offer introductory walks here.

The property has nest boxes for American Kestrels and Eastern Bluebirds, so watching these birds do their business is always a treat. Belted Kingfishers are also common, so it is a great location to observe their hunting behavior.

If you’re visiting Ocala, I strongly recommend spending a few hours at both locations.

Birding Central Florida
Male Black-throated Blue Warblers (Setophaga caerulescens) are some of the most stunning wood warblers we see in Central Florida. During a Global Big Day, this guy was content chasing small insects among the branches of the massive live oaks in Tuscawilla Park. (Marion, FL, USA, 2022)
Male Black-throated Blue Warblers (Setophaga caerulescens) are some of the most stunning wood warblers we see in Central Florida. During a Global Big Day, this guy was content chasing small insects among the branches of the massive live oaks in Tuscawilla Park. (Marion, FL, USA, 2022)

Ocala National Forest

Birding Central Florida
Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) are amusing birds to watch as they scurry across the tree’s bark, similar to a woodpecker. (Lake, FL, USA, 2022)
Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) are amusing birds to watch as they scurry across the tree’s bark, similar to a woodpecker. (Lake, FL, USA, 2022)

The Ocala National Forest is a massive expanse across North Central Florida, covering much of Lake, Marion, and Putnam Counties. Sprawling over 600 square miles, the potential for birding seems limitless, but it is somewhat tricky. 

Because of its undeveloped nature, many of the roads in the National Forest are tricky to navigate, and you can quickly get stuck in the sugar sand that makes up many of these paths.

However, roughly two hundred species of birds call the Ocala National Forest home, many of which are impossible to see outside.

Birds like the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Florida Scrub-Jay are all accessible in the National Forest.

The best way to view this area is as if the pockets of bird activity are islands, where the surrounding woods are the barren sea.

Birding Central Florida
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Dryobates borealis) declined in the Southeastern United States until cavity restrictors and artificial nest holes were added to their environment. Cavity restrictors, like the one in the image, allow these rare woodpeckers to reuse holes that are otherwise too large. (Lake, FL, USA, 2022)
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Dryobates borealis) declined in the Southeastern United States until cavity restrictors and artificial nest holes were added to their environment. Cavity restrictors, like the one in the image, allow these rare woodpeckers to reuse holes that are otherwise too large. (Lake, FL, USA, 2022)

Within the Ocala National Forest is the ancient oak-scrub habitat the Florida Scrub-Jays evolved to exist in solely.

If you want to learn more about this species, check out my article, Scrub-Jay Intelligence:

This vital ecosystem supports around one hundred species that exist nowhere else on Earth.

These endemic organisms should receive extreme conservational support, and thankfully, a healthy portion of this ecosystem is protected in the Ocala National Forest.

Throughout the National Forest, there are dozens of excellent locations for bird watching. Several natural springs, woodlands, and hiking trails cover this enormous expanse.

Some of the more open environments are great for viewing Common Nighthawks while they are in our area during the spring and summer. These peculiar birds have a spellbinding behavior for which we don’t have an apparent reason.

The Nighthawk will begin at a high elevation and enter into a nosedive. At the last second, the bird will abruptly pull up, and in this action, the wind vibrates the wing feathers, creating a buzzing sound.

Birding Central Florida
Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor) produce a distinctive peent buzzing call that is a favorite of mine to hear on early summer nights. (Marion FL, USA, 2022)
Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor) produce a distinctive peent buzzing call that is a favorite of mine to hear on early summer nights. (Marion FL, USA, 2022)

The only plausible hypothesis is that male Nighthawks engage in this behavior to impress females. The closer they are to the ground before pulling out of the dive, the more attractive they are.

This is similar to young male Humans speeding in automobiles and conducting reckless behavior in an attempt to impress and attract members of the opposite sex.

Silver Springs State Park

Birding Central Florida
A pair of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) taking a break from swimming in the cool 72-degree water of the Silver River. (Marion, FL, USA, 2012)
A pair of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) taking a break from swimming in the cool 72-degree water of the Silver River. (Marion, FL, USA, 2012)

The Silver River and Silver Springs State Park hold a special place in my memory.

Growing up, riding down the Silver River and trying to see and photograph as many animals as I could was a special treat, and it always made me wonder if this is what the first Spanish explorers saw of Florida.

Launching the boat at Ray Wayside Park, my dad and I would slowly chug upstream toward the springhead, looking for the iconic monkeys.

Birding Central Florida
The infamous Rhesus Macaques are always fun to see on the river, and it’s almost more amusing to watch how people react when they try to jump into their boats. (Marion, FL, USA, 2012)
The infamous Rhesus Macaques are always fun to see on the river, and it’s almost more amusing to watch how people react when they try to jump into their boats. (Marion, FL, USA, 2012)

As the story goes, Rhesus Macaques was brought to Silver Springs while it was an amusement park. They were added to Tarzan Island, but the park operators didn’t know these primates were semiaquatic, and they quickly fled into the surrounding swamps.

Today, these Macquacs are doing quite well, and there is the occasional headline of one being spotted downtown or hit on the side of the road many miles from the Silver River.

For birds, the Sliver River is a pristine freshwater ecosystem that is a vital nesting site for many species.

Anhinga and Double-crested Cormorant rookeries are a wonderful sight near the springhead, but raptors, herons, and songbirds all utilize the shallow swamps as their breeding grounds. 

Birding Central Florida
Nesting colonies of Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) are noisy affairs. With the adults vocalizing to communicate and hatchings incessantly begging to be fed, it can get quite overwhelming at times. (Marion, FL, USA, 2019)
Nesting colonies of Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) are noisy affairs. With the adults vocalizing to communicate and hatchings incessantly begging to be fed, it can get quite overwhelming at times. (Marion, FL, USA, 2019)

Prothonotary Warblers are one of the most unique wood warblers in North America. These tiny songbirds require premade cavity nests in or near stagnant swamps, and the Silver River perfectly meets this bill.

These bright yellow warblers are stunning to see among the Spanish moss and cypress knees as they hunt for insects to feed to their nestlings.

Birding Central Florida
Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) add another stunning splash of color to the Silver River. While not necessarily shy, these warblers are typically hard to see anywhere outside of this type of environment. (Marion, FL, USA, 2013)
Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) add another stunning splash of color to the Silver River. While not necessarily shy, these warblers are typically hard to see anywhere outside of this type of environment. (Marion, FL, USA, 2013)

Osprey and Swallow-tailed Kites are often seen along the river, particularly in the spring and summer at the peak of nesting season. These birds of prey can make for a great time watching them hunt the fish or skim the river’s surface for a cooling drink of water.

Wood Ducks are another bird that might be hard to see outside of this location but are particularly common on the Silver River. The beautifully colored males are often the hunters’ target but receive shelter in the deep swamp.

Birding Central Florida
Did you know Swallow-tailed Kites (Elanoides forficatus) take a drink on the wing by skimming the water's surface? (Marion, FL, USA, 2012)
Did you know Swallow-tailed Kites (Elanoides forficatus) take a drink on the wing by skimming the water’s surface? (Marion, FL, USA, 2012)

Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area

Birding Central Florida
Here, a young Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) carries off an invasive apple snail. These alien invertebrates are significantly larger than our native apple snails, giving the growing bird much-needed protein. (Lake, FL, USA, 2022)
Here, a young Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) carries off an invasive apple snail. These alien invertebrates are significantly larger than our native apple snails, giving the growing bird much-needed protein. (Lake, FL, USA, 2022)

Stationed in Lake County, Emeralda Marsh has quickly become one of my favorite birding locals. Over 200 species call this area home, and many are quite site-specific.

Emeralda is another location home to resident Snail Kites, which have been successful over several nesting seasons. Protecting and studying the strongholds of this endangered bird is vital.

Interestingly, invasive freshwater snails have helped Florida Snail Kite populations increase their range.

There is ongoing research on this relationship, but so far, these birds have seen an increase in the curvature of their upper mandible and have notably more muscular legs. This seems to all result from these invasive snails being significantly larger than the native apple snails the Kites are used to feeding upon.

Still, this marsh supports over two hundred other avian species. Birds like Limpkin, Sedge Wren, Purple Gallinule, Wilson’s Snipe, and Canvasback all take advantage of Emeralda.

Birding Central Florida
Purple Gallinules (Porphyrio martinica) are surprisingly hard to find if they don’t want you to see them. However, their colorful plumage makes them stand out like a sore thumb when foraging in the open. (Lake, FL, USA, 2024)
Purple Gallinules (Porphyrio martinica) are surprisingly hard to find if they don’t want you to see them. However, their colorful plumage makes them stand out like a sore thumb when foraging in the open. (Lake, FL, USA, 2024)

Barred Owls tend to hang out within the first mile of the Wildlife Drive. As with all wildlife, this isn’t dependable, but they are fairly regular.

Further along the drive is a nesting Eastern Screech-Owl, but unfortunately, it wasn’t seen this past season. This unpredictability is what makes birding so interesting, in my opinion.

The Wildlife Drive only operates from mid-February to late May, Friday through Sunday. However, it is accessible year-round by foot or bicycle.

Regardless, I tend to park at the boat ramp and walk down the drive. This way, I see and hear more than I would if I were driving.

During the winter, Emeralda Marsh is an excellent location for waterfowl. I’ve seen Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck, Redhead, Green-winged Teal, and Canvasback here, and this is one of the best locations in Lake County for these species.

Birding Central Florida
Redhead (Aythya americana) is the second largest duck species we get regularly in Central Florida during the winter. Their larger cousin, the Canvasback, is notably larger, though their coloration is similar. Still, Emeralda is an excellent location for both of these birds. (Lake, FL, USA, 2023)
Redhead (Aythya americana) is the second largest duck species we get regularly in Central Florida during the winter. Their larger cousin, the Canvasback, is notably larger, though their coloration is similar. Still, Emeralda is an excellent location for both of these birds. (Lake, FL, USA, 2023)

Along with waterfowl, wintering rails are relatively standard here. King and Virginia Rails and Sora are familiar sounds in the marsh, but sightings are always special.

Occasionally, mudflats and shallow areas present excellent opportunities for shorebirds. Nesting Black-necked Stilts and migratory Pectoral Sandpipers are great additions to Emeralda.

Songbirds such as Savannah Sparrows, Painted Buntings, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Marsh Wrens are regularly sighted in the vegetation on the sides of the road.

Migration is also a great time to visit the marsh and see Indigo Bunting, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Orchard Oriole, and Northern Waterthrush.

Overall, this is one of my favorite underrated birding locations in Central Florida.

Birding Central Florida
Black-and-white Warblers (Mniotilta varia) are among my favorite snowbirds. These northern visitors are an indicator species for me, and when I start seeing them again in the fall, I know migration is in full swing. It’s always sad to see them leave in the spring, but looking forward to witnessing these warblers again next fall is good. (Lake, FL, USA, 2024)
Black-and-white Warblers (Mniotilta varia) are among my favorite snowbirds. These northern visitors are an indicator species for me, and when I start seeing them again in the fall, I know migration is in full swing. It’s always sad to see them leave in the spring, but looking forward to witnessing these warblers again next fall is good. (Lake, FL, USA, 2024)

Now You Know the First 5 of My Top 10 eBird Hotspots for Central Florida!

Those are the first five of my top ten birding spots in Central Florida! I think they fit the need for easy access and high diversity in birding for this part of the Sunshine State.

Make sure you check out Parts 2 and 3, where I show the other five of my top ten eBird hotspots for Central Florida and several honorable mentions!

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you have ideas or suggestions for topics you would like me to write about in the future, feel free to leave a comment below or email me!

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Get Outside & Happy Birding

Max


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