WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Florida

By species reported, the top birding spots in Florida are Saint Jean Key, Double Pond, and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Saint Jean Key has the longest list (282 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Saint Jean KeyPinellas County28211,623164238133222
Double PondFranklin County2612,632140199115223
St. Marks National Wildlife RefugeWakulla County2601,369171206127187
Gulf Islands National SeashoreEscambia County2502,35211920695201
Lighthouse PoolWakulla County2453,316168177107188
Celery FieldsSarasota County24314,790196200115192
Paynes Prairie Preserve State ParkAlachua County23912,716180199123199
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (Alachua Sink)Alachua County2395,657172187135196
Lake JacksonLeon County2332,387133163124199
Mounds PondWakulla County2281,31414419582160
Boyd Hill Nature PreservePinellas County2274,292150179114182
Kathryn Abbey Hanna ParkDuval County2262,845113179117185
Tom Renick ParkVolusia County2251,941127163124178
Rattlesnake CoveFranklin County2242,2469319573179
Orlando Wetlands ParkOrange County2235,972167164115190
Honeymoon IslandPinellas County2232,873138177109169
Emerson Point PreserveManatee County2202,368143187104171
St. Andrews State ParkBay County22074611118074159
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State ParkMonroe County2183,69912418386160
Fort George InletDuval County2173,199154150112163
Frog Pond/L-31 N Transition LandsMiami-Dade County2163,83515916085179
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife RefugeVolusia County2151,818156167107154
Lake Apopka Restoration AreaOrange County2111,756151152107165
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State ParkMiami-Dade County2102,51011315779158
Green Cay Nature Center and WetlandsPalm Beach County2089,241163171106165
Long Key State ParkMonroe County2072,61710715498176
Crandon BeachMiami-Dade County2063,699139173102145
East River PoolWakulla County2061,368135140118146
John U. Lloyd Beach State ParkBroward County2052,5619813690163
Sebastian Inlet State ParkIndian River County2052,0239114576168

By county