Orlando Wetlands: My wife and I are trying to find some wildlife areas we've not visited before...today someone made us aware of the Orlando Wetlands Park at Christmas, FL...which is...

SafariGuy

My wife and I are trying to find some wildlife areas we've not visited before...today someone made us aware of the Orlando Wetlands Park at Christmas, FL...which is located approx 25 miles east of Orlando, FL. I'm curious if anyone here has been there and what your experience was like. Any input would be most welcome.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

SafariGuy wrote:

My wife and I are trying to find some wildlife areas we've not visited before...today someone made us aware of the Orlando Wetlands Park at Christmas, FL...which is located approx 25 miles east of Orlando, FL. I'm curious if anyone here has been there and what your experience was like. Any input would be most welcome.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-508208-1.html .....

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In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

We were there earlier this week. There is a sandhills who walks amongst the people...he poses very nicely. Lots if birds. Evening seemed much more productive.
Good luck!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

SafariGuy wrote:

My wife and I are trying to find some wildlife areas we've not visited before...today someone made us aware of the Orlando Wetlands Park at Christmas, FL...which is located approx 25 miles east of Orlando, FL. I'm curious if anyone here has been there and what your experience was like. Any input would be most welcome.

There have been over 200 different species of birds sighted there and over 60 species of butterflies. Bring binoculars and your hiking shoes because cars are not allowed in the wetlands. there is a tram available on Friday and Saturday. Call ahead to make sure the tram is running 407-568-1706.
I highly recommend bringing binoculars, spotting scope or large lens because the park is quite large and many of the rare birds can only be seen for a distance.
Cost is free, not pet friendly, hours are sunrise to sunset, bathrooms yes, hunting no, 25115 Wheeler Road, Christmas, Florida 32709.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

You don't tell us where you have visited, or we could offer other suggestions. The Orlando Wetlands Park is a good spot - make sure you have a telephoto. Plenty of birds and alligators. You cannot drive around in it, like you can at the Viera Wetlands or the Black Point Drive at Merritt Island, so you need to be able to walk. But it is a great spot for a walk on these cool days.

SafariGuy

sb wrote:

You don't tell us where you have visited, or we could offer other suggestions. The Orlando Wetlands Park is a good spot - make sure you have a telephoto. Plenty of birds and alligators. You cannot drive around in it, like you can at the Viera Wetlands or the Black Point Drive at Merritt Island, so you need to be able to walk. But it is a great spot for a walk on these cool days.

Thank you all for your info and comments...we’ve been to Viera Wetlands, Merritt Island, Saint Marks Wildlife Refuge and Alligator Farm in St Augustine. I think we will head to the Orlando Wetlands on Saturday...hoping it warms up a bit and doesn’t rain.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Twenty miles down the road you can go to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge in Titusville and do Black Point Drive. A six mile drive, not a walk, that is really a pleasure.

SafariGuy

DaveO wrote:

Twenty miles down the road you can go to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge in Titusville and do Black Point Drive. A six mile drive, not a walk, that is really a pleasure.

Thank you DaveO...we were at Merritt Island and Black Point Drive about 2 weeks ago....it must have been a day when all the birds slept late because we saw very few of anything with wings...but will want to go back at another time to check it out again.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

SafariGuy wrote:

Thank you DaveO...we were at Merritt Island and Black Point Drive about 2 weeks ago....it must have been a day when all the birds slept late because we saw very few of anything with wings...but will want to go back at another time to check it out again.

I guess sometimes they take vacations too!

Next time you go there, within a few minutes you can be at the Overhaul Canal Bridge and watch the Pelicans fish or maybe catch a Manatee.

nikonkelly Loc: SE Michigan

Mark smith has a book on florida birding locations and this is one of the locations that he finds to be very good. He is a you tube video guy, look him up and you can check it out there as well.

SafariGuy

nikonkelly wrote:

Mark smith has a book on florida birding locations and this is one of the locations that he finds to be very good. He is a you tube video guy, look him up and you can check it out there as well.

Thank NikonKelly I will check him out.

jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA

Florida has a "birding trail" with several publications and on line info.....next time give a hint of your radius of travel and where you are located

DON B Loc: RENO, NV

Mornin' Safariguy, If you've not been there, my wife and I recently visited and found Gatorland in Kissimmee productive a few weeks ago.

DonB

Chastles

I was there a few years ago and found it to be a great place for wildlife. Lots of different birds, lots of herons and many alligators. They have an alligator alley you can walk down and they are all around. Did get a lot of real good shots in there.
Have fun and good luck!

DON B Loc: RENO, NV

It is a fun place and definitely wildlife rich!

DonB