COHappyHiker

Hi, Folks - a couple of friends from New Zealand would like to come to the US to photograph birds and other wildlife and scenery in or around Florida in March. I haven't done this myself, so I'm excited, too. Any suggestions for a week or ten-day trip?
Thank you!

MoT Loc: Barrington, IL

All I know is that there has been a decrease of 1.8 billion ( I think) birds in North America over that over the past 10 years. Contact the FL dept of interior to get info. Should be able to do on line. Search for birds in FL and add specific places you are interested in.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Prime migratory bird season in Florida is November to April, so your friends are coming at a very good time.
As for places, just about anywhere. Some of my favorites are:
Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Cape Canavral
Lettuce Lake Park near Tampa
The Everglades
There are very many very good places and I'm sure you will get a lot more suggestions

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Myakka State Park near Tampa, anywhere further south around the Everglades.

COHappyHiker

Yes, I'm devastated by that number. I've noticed the decline in bird populations in the mountains of Colorado, too, and frogs and insects. I worry about my grandchildren.

COHappyHiker

Yes, I'm devastated by that number. I've noticed the decline in bird populations in the mountains of Colorado, too, and frogs and insects. I worry about my grandchildren.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Do you shoot feral cats? That would help a lot. (uh oh, here it comes!)

COHappyHiker

Are they a problem in Florida (probably re: birds)?

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

My bud Leila doesn't like your comments {she adopted me when she was about 13 months old - I don't know how old she was when the 'cat pound' found her}. These days she climbs into my lap - then rolls over on her back and waits for me to rub her tummy. I took this photo one evening when she fit herself into the spot between me and the end of the sofa - then did the roll over and wait routine.

MoT Loc: Barrington, IL

I feel your concern. As a retired Environmental Engineer/Scientist I still keep up with the technical Journals along with photography blogs and web sites. I live outside of Boston and the decrease in insects and birds is quit concerning. I am worried that a food chain is collapsing which could have devastating effects. In the meantime, as photographers we have to document what is out there so one forgets.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

They are a problem everywhere. They kill millions of mostly song birds every year.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

In addition to the spots mentioned, the Fort Myers area has a number of great spots. We are fortunate enough to live there in the winter. Sanibel Island has the wonderful Ding Darling Nature Preserve, with nearby Bunche Beach, Lakes Park and Six Mile Cypress Slough also worthwhile. However, there are so many great places in FL that it would be hard to go wrong.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

You did not mention where in Florida. Here is a list I had made for my club. I live up near Ocala (north-central Florida).
BIRDS Gatorland 14501 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Fl. 32837 / 407-855-5496
BIRDS St. Augustine Alligator Farm 999 Anastasia Blvd., St Augustine, Fl. 32080 / 904-824-3337
BIRDS Zaksee Bird Sanctuary – TAMPA (approx. 100 miles from Ocala)
BIRDS Audubon Center for Birds of Prey 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, Fl., 32751 / 407-644- 0190 A relatively small operation - Check with them for the time when they will “Parade” the birds; a chance to get excellent close-ups.
BIRDS Sweetwater Wetlands Park 325 SW Williston Rd. Gainesville, Fl. 32601 / 352-393-8520 http://www.sweetwaterwetlands.org/about_us
BIRDS Avian Reconditioning Center For Birds of Prey 323 Lester Rd., Apopka, Fl. 32712 / 407-461-1056 Closed for the month of August
BIRDS Green Cay Wetlands and Nature Center 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach (561) 966-7000. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Exhibits open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.
BIRDS Wakodahatchee Preserve 13026 Jog Road, Delray Beach. Open daily from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (later in the summer.) (561) 493-6000

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

Peaceful Waters in Wellington, The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach, Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach.
Sadly, Green Cay in Delray Beach may be closing in November for 6 months. What a shame. They are replacing the roof on the center.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

There are several places that have long-standing rookeries where you can get close to the nests. This is because the birds like to build nests where there are alligators - keeps the snakes and raccoons away! So - Gatorland in Orlando and the Alligator Farm in St Augustine are famous for their rookeries. There are boardwalks that let you get up close and personal with herons, egrets, storks, and spoonbills nesting. (I haven't seen spoonbills and storks at Gatorland, but they have them nesting at the Alligator Farm). On the Atlantic Coast Merritt Island is also generally a good spot. The Orlando Wetlands in Christmas, Florida and the Viera Wetlands may be good also. I went to the Corkscrew Sanctuary only once and had an awesome day of photography.