Avid birdwatcher? Well, the Everglades is a great place to go bird watching; you’ll see a variety of birds. The Park provides the perfect setting with plenty of spots where birds roost, nest, eat, or fly by. In fact, the Park is one of the top 10 birding locations in the world; park goers have the chance to see both resident coastal and wading birds in a number of different species. There are more than 350 species of birds in the Everglades for a person to catch a glimpse of! Come prepared with a set of binoculars to spot as many as you can!
Because of its geographic location, the Everglades is the ideal place for migratory birds to visit. Some of these birds include: Black skimmers, ducks, red knots, sandpipers, terns, willets, whimbrels, dunlin, long and short billed curlew, the American oystercatcher, and many more.
Below are some of the great spots within the Park where you can go bird watching:
Anhinga Trail – During the dry winter season, people can spot wading birds, cormorants, purple gallinules, and nesting Anhingas along the path during the day.
Eco Pond – In the morning, bird watchers can spot wading birds, American coots, osprey, white-crowned pigeons, warblers, red-shouldered hawks, Anhingas, rails, painted buntings and more around this bond.
Gulf Coast Visitor Center – In the vicinity of this visitor center, people have the opportunity to see wading birds, cormorants, osprey, bald eagles, pelicans, shoebirds, peregrine falcons, wood storks, and more.
Mahogany Hammock – Around this area, the cape sable sparrow can be seen in the early morning during the spring, along with bald eagles and warblers. Owls come out in this area in the evening.
Mrazek Pond – Throughout the year, ducks and wading birds hang out around and in this pond. For a few days during the winter, people can spot roseate spoonbills and wood storks.
Other great Everglades spots to go bird watching: Nine Mile Pond, Paurotis Pond, Shark Valley Tram Road, and Snake Bight Trail.
Explore The Everglades
Want another way to go bird watching in the Everglades besides on foot? Try an airboat tour! An airboat tour can bring to around places in the Park where birds will be nesting, wading, and flying by that you won’t be able to access by walking. To book an airboat tour, contact Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours at 1-800-368-0065 or click here.
