Birding Hotspots
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
During fall migration, warblers are plentiful with up to 10 species being seen in a day, including Worm-eating, Yellow and Prothontary Warblers. In mid-September 2003, 200 Bobolinks flew over the park. Also seen were Barn Swallows, along with some Purple Martins, Cliff and Bank Swallows. The new mitigation areas have attracted a Reddish Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills. Also seen were Eastern Kingbirds, Cooper’s Hawks, Merlin and Black-whiskered Vireo.
The park is located in Fort Lauderdale on the north side of Sunrise Boulevard between the Intracoastal Waterway and A1A.
Secret Woods Nature Center
During fall migration, Secret Woods attracts many warblers, including Northern Waterthrush , Worm-eating and a Hooded Warbler. Black & White Warbler and Spotted Sandpiper were seen flitting down to the New River, adding new life birds for new birders.
Secret Woods is located on the north side of State Road 84 about a half mile west of I-95.
Anne Kolb Nature Center and West Lake Park
Although a local birder once exclaimed that West Lake Park was the park without birds, you may be lucky to find some interesting sightings at certain times of the year. Winter is the best time to visit West Lake Park. In Tarpon Lake on the South side of Sheridan Street you can find wintering Lesser Scaup Ducks, Blue-winged Teals and an occasional Red-breasted Merganser. One of the only shorebird areas in Broward is on the west side of the lake along its rocky beach where peeps and plovers can be located. Peregrine Falcons are often seen flying over the park and roosting on the terraces of nearby condos. On the south trail are Kentucky Warbler, Killdeer and Black-necked Stilts.
On the north side of West Lake Park is the Anne Kolb Nature Center. Along the mud flat trail at low tide, wading and shorebirds may be found, along with King Rail and Painted Buntings. West Lake Park is the best place in Broward to take a canoe or kayak trip with many trails and hours of paddling. At sunset, paddle out to the horseshoe wading bird rookery for a fly in or take the park's tour boat. The chance to see Roseate Spoonbills flying overhead alone makes West Lake Park a place worth visiting.
West Lake Park and Anne Kolb Nature Center are located 2½ miles east of I-95 on Sheridan Street just west of the Intracoastal Waterway .
Evergreen Cemetery
Historically designated Evergreen Cemetery located in east Ft. Lauderdale is a magnet for migrating birds. It is one of the only green spaces left close to the coast and consistently produces very rare birds. Large strangler figs provide numerous fruits and insects to feed hungry migrants and should be the very first place you look. Look along the fence line cliff by the canal for a bird's eye view of overhanging trees where you might spot Waterthrushes, Ovenbirds and other thrushes. During the fall of 2003, up to 16 species of warblers were seen including Swainson’s, Tennessee, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, and Hooded. Other migrants observed included Summer and Scarlet Tanager, Orchard and Baltimore Oriole, Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked Thrush, Philadelphia and Yellow-throated Vireo. The very rare Rufous/Allen Hummingbird and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher made a brief visit in mid-October, 2003. Exotics such as Spot-breasted Orioles and Parrots can also be found here and in the area.
This birding hot spot is very close to both the airport and cruise port for those travelers who have only a short visit in town. The open grass covered area with large trees and many benches makes for a great place to stop for an hour or two of quick birding.
Evergreen Cemetery is located three streets north of the 17th Street Causeway between 14th & 12th street on N.E. 10th Ave., one block east of Miami road. From I-95, go east to U.S. 1 from either State Rd 84 (go north) or Davie Blvd (go south). The 17th Street is located halfway between State Rd 84 and Davie Blvd.
Southwest Regional Library
This wonderful manmade wetland is a great place for a quick stroll along a boardwalk to see wintering ducks such Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks and resident Mottled Ducks. A highlight includes the large lavender Purple Swamp Hen that resemble Purple Gallinules. They mysteriously appeared in the wetlands along Sheridan Street west of I-75 a few years ago. This wetland is also home to Common Yellowthroat Warbler, Limpkin, a variety of wading birds, and an occasional Northern Harrier.
Directions: Take Sheridan Street west of I-75 past Dykes Road on the east side of Southwest Regional Library parking lot.
Broward Landfill Ponds
In December, the ponds on the west side of the Broward County Landfill entrance road have attracted the extremely beautiful Hooded Mergansers with the male’s bright white chevron on his black head. Also seen have been Ringed-necked Duck and Blue-winged Teals.
Directions: Head west on Sheridan from I-75, almost to US 27. Turn right into the Broward County Landfill office road and park in the grass area off of the road.
Tree Tops Park
This is the best place for hiking of any of Broward’s parks. It can be a great place to see a large number of bird species because of the diversity of habitats. The oak trees near the observation tower and along the road consistently produce warblers including Magnolia, Prairie, Northern Parula and Black & White. Broad-winged and Cooper’s Hawk winter in the oak hammock, along with resident Pileated Woodpeckers. High in the oaks is an observation tower where you can see birds at their level. In the past, a wintering Summer Tanager was seen. In the brush near the entrance to the asphalt path to the marsh trail have been Wilson’s and Hooded Warblers. The man-made marsh is a vital habitat for many wading birds including Black-crowned Night Heron, Least Bittern, and Sora. A very rare MacGillivray’s Warbler wintered here in the park’s brush dump in 2003.
Located in Davie at 3900 S.W. 100th Ave (Nob Hill Road) north of Griffin Road.
Pine Island Ridge Natural Area
This area includes the highest spot in Broward County at 29 feet above sea level. Great Horned Owls have nested in the air plants on the ridge and Yellow-billed Cuckoo can be found in the tree tops. Look for them quickly flying from tree to tree with their rufous wings and large black and white bars on their long tail. The ancient beach dune ridge is anchor shaped and was the home to early Tequesta Indians and the last hold out of the Seminoles during the second and third Seminole wars. Hike to the back on the west ridge to find a lake with Wood Storks, other wading birds, Osprey, and in summer Least Terns. A great place for a hike!
Accessible from Tree Tops Park; take the trail behind the recreation center.
Silver Lakes Wetlands
Broward has a feature bird, no one else seems to have, the exotic Purple Swamp Hen. It looks like a Purple Gallinule on steroids and can be seen regularly at Silver Lakes Wetlands. This beautiful spot also has wintering ducks such as the Blue-wing Teal and our resident Mottled Duck. It is a great spot to view wading birds up close such as Wood Storks, Snowy Egret, and a variety of herons. On a recent visit a Limpkin was spotted, a Common Yellowthroat in the low brush and a Foresters Tern hunting over the lake.
To find the Silver Lakes Wetland, travel Sheridan Street past I-75 and the Southwest Regional Library. Make an U-turn at the Silver Lakes School and drive carefully on the large swale on the south side of the road. Stop anywhere to find great birds at this successful created wetlands.
Deerfield Island
Deerfield Island County Park is a coastal hammock island located near the Intracoastal Waterway in north Broward with great trails for lots of birding opportunities. It is reached only by boat (See schedule below). When the boat arrives on the island, first check out the large Strangler Fig trees near the soda machines and dock. These can be filled with warblers and Summer and Scarlet Tanagers. These trees are one of the only places in county I know that you can find Black-whiskered Vireos. Flocks of Yellow-billed Cuckoos (Mangrove Cuckoo in the past). The mangrove boardwalk has produced numerous species of warblers including Worm-eating and Northern Waterthrush . The island has a variety of habitats including an upland scrub that is home to Piliated Woodpeckers. The monthly-guided bird walk is the first Saturday of the month. You have to arrive by boat so access can be limited. If you asked nicely they may take you around the island where you might see wading birds and Osprey.
The boat takes visitors to the island on Wednesdays 10 am, 11 am, and 12 noon and Sundays on the hour between 10 am and 3 pm. Call for schedule information and reservation at (954) 360-1320, The park is located at 1720 Deerfield Island Park on the Intracoastal, north of Hillsboro Blvd turning north into Riverview Drive. Park at the picnic park.
South Bay Sod Farms
Shorebird migration starts early, so even in the heat of the summer you need to be ready to go birding. Beginning in mid-August through mid-September thousands of shorebirds migrate through Florida to take advantage of our beautiful beaches and a little known birding area, the sod fields. Farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area flood their fields during this time to control nematodes. Little did they know how much they are benefiting wildlife. These shallow flooded fields provide much needed insects to fuel fall migration.
These flooded fields attract different species of shorebirds that you will not find on beaches such as the Upland and Pectoral Sandpipers. These birds breed in the central prairies of North America and feel at home in these grass fields. Look for them in high grasses and along shallow puddles in the fields.
On your way to these fields visit the Holey Lands Wildlife Management Area on the Broward/Palm Beach border. Look for warblers at the end of the road, Sora and other Everglades birds along the way. This area is the only known local sighting of the extremely rare Black Rail although it hasn't been seen in recent years.
Take U.S. 27 north from I-75. The fields are on the west side of U.S. 27 north of the Broward line. Look out for farm vehicles traveling over the short bridges onto the berms (narrow shelves) that border the sod fields. (If you see sugar cane fields, you’ve gone too far). Look for fields that are flooded or contain puddles. In these areas you can find more than 10 species of shorebirds and a large variety of wading birds.
Snake Warrior Island
One of Broward's newest natural areas recently opened is Snake Warrior Island located in south central Broward. This everglades island site was the historical home of Seminole Indians and is famous for its "haunts" or ghosts that have been seen on the property. What it is becoming famous for now is a great paved walking trail and a home for wintering ducks. Blue-winged Teal, Ringed-necked and Mottled Ducks. Sora has also been seen, along with lots of wading birds. The small Live Oak hammock in the northeast corner has become a great migration spot for warblers in spring and fall. Cerulean, Tennessee, and many other varieties of Warblers have been seen.
Take U.S.441 south of Hallandale Beach Blvd. to County Line Road . Turn right and go west for a short distance to the first right. If you get to the Winn Dixie you have gone too far. Turn right and go north for a few blocks. The entrance is on the left.
John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
One of the last beach areas with natural vegetation in Broward County is at this beautiful, popular park. It contains several different habitats, including coastal hammock, mangroves, sand dunes and beach front. Birdwatching is best during the week or either early or late in the day on weekends when the park is less crowded.
A great place to start is the coastal hammock nature trail from the first parking lot. The large fig trees provide fruit for migrating warblers and other songbirds. Also, look on the forest floor for thrushes that like cover. Watch for Northern Waterthrush on the mud bank in the mangroves. Cross the bridge over Whiskey Creek to find shorebirds in the surf and along the wrack. Seabirds can often be seen from the beach, including Northern Gannet, Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Pelican, and assorted gulls and terns. Wading birds can be found along the creek including Reddish Egret. Go to the jetty at the northern end of the park to look for seaside shorebirds such as Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, sandpipers, plovers, and for offshore seabirds.
Take Sheridan Street from I-95 to US1, north several blocks to Dania Beach Blvd, then east to AIA, turn north to the entrance of the park.
John Williams Park
A little known oak hammock located in central Hollywood is John Williams Park. For those who find T.Y. Park too crowded for birding on the weekends, try this intact oak canopy which is a magnet for songbirds during migration. Also observed in the canopy are Screech Owls, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and wintering Coopers Hawks. It is a great place with a paved trail for the less able birder, power walking, or taking the dog. It has a playground to keep the kids busy while you check out the warblers.
John Williams Park is located just west of 441 on the north side of Sheridan Street-6101 Sheridan Street.
