Birding In Florida

There are several reasons why the state of Florida is so popular with bird watchers. Birding in Florida contributes to the tourism economy of the area and brings in 2 million bird watchers each year. The diversity of habitat, its mix of temperate zones and its fortunate position as a point on migration routes have resulted in the documented sightings of over 500 species of birds, many of which are rare.

Various bird watching tours and festivals are organized, all playing an important part in birding in Florida. The most famous trail was introduced to encourage conservation and to attract visitors. Named The Great Florida Birding Trail, it runs for 2,000 miles across 489 sites. There are guide books with maps and highway signs to guide visitors on the trail. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sponsored the trail. It is divided into four sections: East Florida, West Florida, Panhandle Florida, and South Florida.

The range of birds seen in the state encompasses the tiny Hummingbird, up to the majestic Bald Eagle and other hawks. Most North American birds on the east choose Florida as their winter home, just like people!  There is the opportunity to see Whooping and Sandhill Cranes, Osprey, Pelicans, and Roseate Spoonbills. Birding in Florida is enjoyable throughout the year with resident birds and migratory species. The residents are spotted all of the year and migrating birds are usually seen from mid-April to mid-May or in October.

Everyone can get involved with this fascinating hobby. Both state residents and non-residents can participate in Wings Over Florida, a program that awards people according to the number of different species they observe. The idea is to identify as many native birds as possible and win a certificate at five different levels. The first level is for 50 birds and the last level is for 350. This brings the competitive spirit to birding in Florida. The state bird, the Northern Mockingbird may appear on the list.

Florida is to be commended in its work towards conserving bird species and encouraging residents and visitors to celebrate the wide range of bird life. There are several refuges and sanctuaries to this end, including Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Everglades National Park, and Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Indian Shores. Wherever bird watchers go, they are bound to tick off lots of species. The steady flow of visitors to spot the birds helps the refuges and parks to continue in their good work.