Do you want to spot some of the beautiful birds that reside or visit the greater Tampa area? If so, you’re in luck! There are so many places you can go birding. Below are some of my favorite parks that boast an abundance of beautiful birds.
John Chestnut Senior Park
I’ve seen a wide array of birds here, including Red-shouldered Hawks, Northern Cardinals, Limpkins, Gray Catbirds, Black-capped Chickadees, American Coots, Pine Warblers, Palm Warblers, Yellow-throated Warblers, American Purple Gallinules, Red-wing Blackbirds, Kingfishers, Tufted Titmice, and so many more.
Lettuce Lake Park
This park is great for birding. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Red-shouldered Hawks, Hummingbirds, Northern Cardinals, Barred Owls, Limpkins, Carolina Wrens, Black-crowned Night Herons, Great Egrets, Pileated Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, and more at this park!
Circle B Bar Reserve
If you’re familiar with my blog, you probably already know how much I love Circle B and how it’s a fantastic place for spotting wildlife. As far as birds go, I’ve personally seen Barred Owls, Bald Eagles, Glossy Ibises, American Purple Gallinules, Northern Cardinals, Great Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, Green Herons, White Ibises, Sandhill Cranes, Downy Woodpeckers, Anhingas, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Palm Warblers, Turkey Vultures, and more!
Fort De Soto Park
The mangroves, palm hammocks, wetlands, and miles of beach provide great homes for local and visiting birds of all kinds. So, it’s no surprise that this park is a rather famous birding site. Here I’ve seen American White Pelicans, Brown Pelicans, Barred Owls, Royal Terns, Roseate Spoonbills, Ospreys, Great Blue Herons, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers, Spotted Sandpipers, and many more types of birds.
If you head to any of these parks, let me know what birds you spot by commenting below or emailing me at emilykeen@emilykeenphotography.com.
Know Before You Go:
+ Lettuce Lake and Fort De Soto Park have entry fees.
+ John Chestnut and Circle B are free to enter.
+ All of these parks have restrooms. Please note that Circle B’s indoor facilities have different hours than their trails. There are always portable toilets near the main parking lot that are available when the trails are open, however.
+ We’re talking about Florida here, so bring bug spray, water, and sunscreen with you. The no-see-ums at Fort De Soto can be particularly bothersome near dusk.
+ As always, when around wildlife, it’s important you give animals their space. Please avoid touching and feeding wildlife, as well.
Backyard Birding
Do you bird while at home or are interested in birding at home? If so, you might like my Backyard Birding blog. Feel free to check it out!
Get in Touch
Like I mentioned earlier, if you visit any of these parks, let me know which birds you spot! Also, feel free to email me at emilykeenphotography@gmail.com. if you have any questions or want to chat with a fellow bird nerd!
Emily Keen Photography 