Tour OverviewThe “Sunshine State” of Florida is known the world over for its amusement parks, laid-back beachside lifestyle, multi-ethnic cuisine, the Everglades, sports, its tropical climate and as a popular destination for retirees.Luckily for birders the flattest state in the US is also an avian paradise, with 525 species on the official state list! This makes the state the most species-rich state east of the Mississippi.
Florida is located along the Atlantic Flyway, a 3,000 mile stretch from the Arctic tundra all the way to the Caribbean, and therefore April is a great time of the year to visit. All the resident bird species are present at this time, along with some fantastic migrant species (including many colourful warblers and interesting waders) just passing through on their way to their breeding grounds in the north. Tens of millions of Neotropical migrants fly several hundred miles non-stop from Central or South America, and often drop down at the first available land sighted. The state’s richly diverse habitats include pine forests, grasslands, wetlands and the second longest coastline of all the states. It is an excellent place for a birding tour!
The climate is comfortable this time of the year and temperatures are usually in the 80s (26 to 32 °C). There’s always the possibility for fallout, so we’ll be visiting some of our state’s known migration hotspots, as well as focusing our attention on our resident birds as well. Our tour concentrates on the central and southern areas of Florida (southern Peninsula and the Keys), as these are particularly rich in avian highlights. We will also take wonderful photographs, enjoy superb cuisine, marvel at the natural beauty around us, and revel in the fantastic climate that Florida is famous for. Let’s go birding!
Get more detail about what to expect on this tour: Go to full itinerary
Safari starts and ends in Orlando
Tour duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Type of accommodation: Comfortable, mid-range
Next departure dates: April 2024
Private and small group, customised safaris can be booked on request for your preferred travel dates
Mead Botanical Gardens
Fort De Soto Park
Oscar Scherer State Park
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The Florida Keys
Dry Tortugas National Park (on optional extension)
Top Birds:
• Florida Scrub Jay
• Magnificent Frigatebird
• White-crowned Pigeon
• Red-cockaded Woodpecker
• Brown-headed Nuthatch
• Mangrove Cuckoo
• Black-whiskered Vireo
• Kentucky Warbler
• Painted Bunting
• Bachman’s Sparrow
Top Mammals:
• Bobcat
• Eastern Spotted and Striped Skunk
• Grey and Red Fox
• Eastern Woodrat
• Cotton Mouse
• White-tailed Deer
(including clavium subspecies)
• Nine-banded Armadillo
• West Indian Manatee
Optional Activities:
• Pelagic birding trip
• Extension to Dry Tortugas National Park
| ITINERARY OVERVIEW |
|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Orlando |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Mead Botanical Gardens, Orlando |
| Day 3 | Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area/Joe Overstreet Landing, Kenansville |
| Day 4 | Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg |
| Day 5 | Oscar Scherer State Park & Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge |
| Day 6 | Key Largo |
| Day 7 | Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West |
| Day 8 | Miami exotic birding OR optional pelagic cruise; transfer to Orlando, OR start of optional 3 night Dry Tortugas National Park extension |
| Day 9 | Departure from Orlando |
All our tours can be customised according to your specific requirements.
Get in touch with one of our team members for more information at info@naturetravelbirding.com