Navarre, FL Birding

Blackwater River State Park, 7720 Deaton Bridge Road, Milton, FL-32564, 850-983-5363

It is open from 8 am until sundown. The ranger station is open from 3-5 pm for 365 days. You have to put the fees (exact change) inside an honor box. Birding is one of the chief experiences here. Find red-cockaded Woodpecker, herons and mockingbirds. You might see turtles here as well.

Apalachicola National Forest, FL-12, Sopchoppy, FL 32358, (850) 643-2282 (Apalachicola Ranger District Office)

Watch birds in these trails: Sinkhole Trail Loop, Tallahassee Saint Marks Historic Rail State Trail, Twilight East and West, Munson Hills and Twilight Loop, Gum Swamp Loop Trail and Camel Lake Loop to name a few.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, SR 402, 3.5 Miles East of Titusville, Titusville, 332782, (321) 86-5601

Here you can find 330 recorded species. Head straight to Black Point Wildlife Drive for blue-winged teal, mottled duck, mourning dove, American coot, wood storks, belted kingfisher, greater yellowlegs, Northern Cardinal and little blue heron to name a few. Go to Peacocks Pocket Rd., Gator Creek and Catfish Loop for more car-based birding. Bio Lab Rd. is known for wading and shorebirds.

Navarre Beach, 8543 Navarre Pkwy FL 32566, 850-981-8900

Enjoy watching large flocks of Black Skimmers and Least Terns here. Chances of getting a glimpse of pelicans, great blue herons and shorebirds are high. Gulf Island is one of the best places to see migrating birds like gulls.