Featured Destinations
Florida Scrub Jay Trail
The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail provides an opportunity to experience the jays ...
Emeralda Marsh
This more than 7,000-acre preserve is the crown jewel of bird watching in L...
Green Mountain
The Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead is the western gateway to ...
Apopka Northshore
Lake Apopka is Florida's fourth largest lake, and one of the county's premi...
PEAR Park
PEAR Park's 320-square-foot steel bird-watching and wildlife viewing blind ...
Birding Resources
Find valuable resources for birding in Lake County.
Lake County Hot Spots
Northeast Lake County
Parks & Conservation Areas
- Ocala National Forest: Paisley Bike Trail
- Ocala National Forest: Alexander Springs Recreation Area
- Seminole State Forest
- Rock Springs Run Preserve
- Pine Forest Park
- Ellis Acres Reserve
- Lake May Reserve
- Lake Norris Conservation Area
- Trout Lake Nature Center
Blueways Paddling Trails
- Lake George/St. John's River: Blue Creek Run
- Lake Norris & Black Water Creek
- St. John's River: St. Francis Dead River Run
- Alexander Springs
Central Lake County
Parks & Conservation Areas
- Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area
- Wildlife Drive
- Bull Hammock
- Treasure Island Road
- Flat Island Preserve
- Bourley Historic Nature Preserve
- Venetian Gardens Park
- P.E.A.R. Park
- Sabel Bluff Preserve
- Haynes Creek Park
- Twin Lakes Park
- Lake Griffin State Park
- Marsh Park
Blueways Paddling Trails
- Lake Dunham: Helena Run
- Lake Harris: Lake Harris Run
- Lake Griffin: Lake Griffin Run
- Dora Canal
- Haynes Creek
- Lake Dora & Lake Eustis: Golden Triangle Run
South Lake County
Parks & Conservation Areas
- The Pasture Reserve
- Lake Louisa State Park
- Water Conserv II: 5 Mile Road
- Ferndale Preserve
- Palatlakaha River Park
- Crooked River Preserve
- Van Fleet Trail
- Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area
- Clay Island
- NERF Facility/Apopka-Beauclair Canal Lock
- Ranch Road
- Hilochee Wildlife Management Area
Blueways Paddling Trails
- Palatlakaha Run
- Lake Apopka
- Apopka-Beauclair Canal
Birding Tips
Find valuable tips from our resident expert such as where to go and what to bring.
Here are a few tips to make your interaction with the birds and other birders an enjoyable experience for everyone.
- Remain as quiet as possible, don't make sudden movements or gestures that may startle the birds
- Stay on trails, trampling habitat to get a better look is bad for nature and may put you in danger of tripping or being bit by other creatures who you step on or startle.
- Wear natural colors, avoid whites especially, and also tangling glittery jewelry. Birds are visual if you stand out they will bug out.
- Minimize or avoid using playbacks or recording during nesting season and during extreme weather conditions. This adds extra stress to the birds which are trying to stay alive or feed young.
- Have a good pair of binoculars. General rule is the objective lens (big number) should be about 5x the magnification (small number). So quality pairs would be 7x35, 8x42, or 10x50. Remember that the bigger the second number the “brighter” and “clearer” the image will be. Also remember as you increase magnification you will amplify shake, which simply makes it harder not to move without distorting the image.
- Get a good field guide. The guide should cover the region you are birding and it is help if you familiarize yourself with it before going out in the field.
- Take care of yourself. Water, snack, sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, and proper footwear should all be part of most birders gear.
- Optional equipment would include notebook and pencil, Spotting Scope, checklist of likely birds, trail or park map, compass or GPS, and cell phone (on silent).
- Put your birding to good use. Keeping field notes and entering the data into eBird (www.ebird.org) or posting your sighting to the local birding listserve will allow others to benefit from your time in the field.
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