Birdwatching in Florida
Nicknamed the “Sunshine State” Florida is not only attractive to “Snowbirds” from the northern part of North America, but also to many migrating birds over wintering here.
With 485 recorded species including one endemic (Florida Scrub-Jay) there is plenty to keep a visiting birdwatcher busy.
Combined with the many local Birdingpals willing to help a visitor, your visit is bound to be memorable from a birding point of view.
A 2000 mile trail designed to conserve and enhance Florida’s wildlife habitat is being developed, making it easy for a birder to locate birds like Roseate Spoonbills, Snail Kites, Mangrove Cuckoos, Florida Scrub-Jays, Black-whiskered Vireos to name a few, but also the many established exotics Florida is known for.
The Habitats of the Panhandle, the Peninsula, the Keys and not to forget the Dry Tortugas islands make Florida a birders paradise.
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Local Birdingpal Contacts
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Local Birdwatchers
Using the Birdingpal resources you must agree to the following: If you contact a local Birdingpal and make arrangement to go birding, you should note it is common courtesy to make sure you show up for the appointment. If for any reason you are unable to do this, the least you must do is contacting the local Pal right away. Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Initial | Last Name | Area | Available | Language | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| J | Schwarz | Boca Raton(Winter only) | Anytime | English/German | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I bird all of Palm Beach Co.(Loxahatchee, Wakodahatchee, Green Cay), Broward County (Fort Lauderdale), and down to Miami/Dade Co. Also my photos are on www.birdspix.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| V | Brauer | Lake Worth/Boynton Beach/Palm Beach County | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Audubon Society tour leader with photography interests. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| C | Oshaben | Bradenton | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| M | Gardler | Brooksville | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I lead 2-4 three day trips a year for Larry Manfredi Birding Tours to the Dry Tortugas in the spring. I am the sole guide responsible for up to 11 people from all over the world but mainly the USA. I am a leader for many of the pelagic trips out of the east coast of FL. I, over the last year in FL, have given 3 Powerpoint presentations on shorebird identification (basic plumage birds). I volunteer (6 years) on a Red-cockaded Woodpecker monitoring project of a cluster to track health and sexing of the birds. This is a yearlong project. I have guided in FL, TX, AZ and AK for pay. I guide in Fl for the joy (gratis) as a return on all who have helped me over the years, especially the teacher who lit my fire and joy. I do 3-4 Xmas counts per year. I currently take 2 people from FL to SE AZ, on an unpaid basis, where we split expenses one of whom is a Birdingpal going this year. 4 of last 5 years I have done this and have several who want to go next year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| B | Saltonstall | Cape Coral | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cape Coral is home to the largest population of the Florida species of the Burrowing Owl in the world. Sightings 99% guaranteed. Side trips to see the endemic, endangered Florida Scrub Jay also available. Tours available November through May only. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| L | Sumerson | Clearwater | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pinellas Co. and its surrounding counties is one of the best birding areas in Florida. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| S | Crawford | Clearwater/St Petersburg | Weekend | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 50+ years as a birder. Member, Clearwater Audubon Society, Audubon of Florida, Friends of Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges, Friends of Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Primary areas: Honeymoon Island State Park, Caladesi Islans State Park, other Pinellas County parks and preserves. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| L | Hartzlr | Clearwater/Tampa/Lutz | Anytime | English/French | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| L | Andruske | Cocoa Beach | Weekend | English/Russian | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interface b'n sub/tropical zones, Brevard County (FL) is a birdwatchers' paradise: Pandionidae, variety of raptors, wood storks, all estuarine/maritime wading birds; manatees, dolphins, pelagic whales (northern right). I can be made available during week with appropriate notification/lead time. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| S | Wise | Cocoa Beach/Merritt Island(Winter only) | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| A | Sissman | Coral Springs | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| L | Burns | Crawfordville | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I live south of Tallahassee Florida. The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is at my doorstep. We have seen bears, bobcats, raccoons, wild pigs etc. But the birds are fabulous. I am an amateur photographer and can spend all day out there. Also, we kayak a lot so we see birds you normally do not see on some trails. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Peterson | Deltona(Winter only) | Anytime | Spanish/English | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| D | Russell | Fort Lauderdale | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| J | Padilla | Fort Myers | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| S | Flamand | Gainesville | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| L | Kroll | Gainesville | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired State of Florida employee. Have been bird watching for more than 15 years. This area has excellent bird watching in Paynes Prairie, especially in winter. There are many nature parks nearby. The Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts are only 1.5 hours away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Wexler | Grand Island | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Birding in Ocala National Forest and Emeralda Marsh. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| A | Smolley | Hollywood | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I'm a 25 year old bird enthusiast, and I work part time to fund my passion. I live 45 minutes from Palm Beach County hotspots such as Loxahatchee NWR, Wakodahatchee, and Green Cay, less than an hour from Shark Valley (Everglades NP- Dade County), and willing to drive up to an hour in any direction. Also, in close proximity to me are local parks where I can (almost) guarantee you Burrowing Owls and many others, depending on the season. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Lewis | Homosassa | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal River, on Florida's west central coast, is a manatee sanctuary, but boasts great birding areas as well. Tamapa International Airport is 60 miles south. Typically I provide a guided tour by boat for 2 hours at a cost of $30 per person. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| P | Johnson | Jacksonville | Weekend | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I live in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, FL. This is on the southeast side of Jacksonville and within about a 30-40 minute drive of both the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (46,000 acres) to the north and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTMNERR) National Estuarine Research Reserve to the south. I am also active with the Duval Audubon Society, which conducts numerous weekend field trips from September through May. Other good field trips are usually available with Alachua, St Johns and Flagler Audubon Chapters, all within approximately 1-3 hours drive time (one way) to birding sites in northeast/northcentral. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| J | Welch | Kissimmee | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I live is Osceola county Florida. I am an eagle watch volunteer and do education for Kissimmee Audubon Society. We have the densest concentration of nesting Bald Eagles in Florida. Lake Tohopekaliga is home to the endangered Snail Kite. Nearby Gatorland has an amazing breeding marsh where hundreds of birds nest Jan. through July. The Disney Wilderness Preserve has Florida Scrub-Jays, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and nesting Woodstorks. Painted Buntings, Swallow-tailed Kites, ducks, and others all migrate through our area. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| S | Hetrick | Kissimmee | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I'm a 29 year old wildlife biologist and love to share my beautiful bird-rich area with others. I live right on Lake Toho which has the highest concentations of nesting endangered Snail Kites in the US. We also have the highest nesting concentrations of Bald Eagles. Whooping Cranes are also nearby. There's a rookery/roost island behind my house where you can see 1000s of great blue herons, great egrets, double-crested cormorants, anhinga, limpkin, turkey and black vulture, osprey, etc. Feel free to contact me! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| J | Johnson | Kissimmee | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Live on lake Toho chain of lakes in Kissimmee abundant with migrating birds and wildlife learning as I go but so many birds to see, any help or advise please don't hesitate to contact me. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| E | Matthews | Lake Worth | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I am the manager of the Green Cay Nature Center. I bird at work and in my free time. If I'm available I would love to show you the local Palm Beach County sites. I also bird pretty extensively down in Miami-Dade County. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Morris | Lakeland | Weekend | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lakeland is 1.5 hour drive from either coast. Polk county is one of the largest counties in Florida and has a checklist of over 300 species. Some of the Florida specialities found in Polk county are Limpkin, Snail Kite, Purple Gallinule, Short-tailed Hawk, Crested Caracara and Burrowing Owl. Saddle Creek Park is also here in Lakeland, which be a wonderful fall warbler spot with as many as 22 species found in a single day. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| L | Naismith | Lakewood Ranch | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Our general area of Florida as well as the state is known for attracting birders from all areas. I have only just become interested in the last 6 months and spend allot of time on walks and photographing birds. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| P | Sahlin | Lighthouse Point | Weekend | English/Swedish | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Originally from Sweden I have been a photographer for about 45 years and have over the last 20 years been doing primarily bird photography in South Florida - Primarily on the east coast but I am familiar with the west coast including Sanibel's Ding Darling NWR. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| S | LaGrotta | Marco Island | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tigertail Beach on Marco Island is part of the South Florida Birding Trail. The beach is part of the County Park system, with a natural lagoon, and short walk to the Marco river or the Gulf of Mexico. The crescent beach is one of seven in the world. Mangrove forest, mud flats and sea grass supports a number of different species. Considered one of the best birding sites in Southwest Florida. Some of the birds you may find, Wilson's, Piping and Snowy Plovers, Least Terns, Roseate Spoonbills, Red Knots, Osprey, Falcons, Bald Eagles and Pelicans. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| W | Arpt | Melbourne | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I am seventy nine years old retired aerospace quality assurance specialist. (aerospace). I worked thirty three years for the us air force auditing contractor quality assurance programs and the operational condition of equipment and facilities assigned to them. Worked the the heavy lift titan heavy missile. Traveled to several foriegn countries. Japan, Okinawa, South Africa, The Congo, Surinam and England. Hobies include birding photography (ameture), fishing and flying. Spent two weeks in Alaska in search of good Puffin photos. No luck due to the weather. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| L | Monges | Miami | Anytime | English/French | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I bird Everglades National Park & Atlantic Coast. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| E | Breaux | North Miami | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I am a professional wildlife photographer and outdoorsman, 40 years now. I take people on private Guided Wildlife and Birding Photo Tours into the Everglades in Florida. Birding here is exceptional, as many species winter in the relative warmth of the South Florida wilds. Owing to both an abundance of wildlife and comfortable conditions, the dry season, December through April, is the best time in the Everglades. This is a full day’s trip starting early in the morning. You will be hiking down wilderness trails teaming with wildlife and many birds. On my Photo Website you will see images of some of the wildlife and birds you may see on the trip. http://www.eugenebreaux.com/index.cfm?mid=1812&action=gallery&Gallery=39129 I do not charge my fee to BirdingPals members; you will have so many good sightings and a very safe and enjoyable time. You will like my informative but fun, pleasant and upbeat personality. You pay all expenses from Miami and back, car rental, gas, tolls, entrance fees, meals, etc. If you would like me to guide you into the Everglades for a day you are most welcome. Please contact me and I will let you know availability and send you a complete itinerary of the day’s tour. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| P | McCrea | South Miami | Weekend | English some French | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I'm a true backyard birder since my suburban backyard, which is on a canal/lake, is a great place to watch migratory birds: warblers, raptors, water birds, etc. We have a local population of white crowned pigeons. Added attractions include huge iguanas, feral macaws, amazon parrots, monk parakeets and mynahs, the odd gator and even a large, but very shy, American croc. Can't guarantee that any will appear on a given day, though. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| B | Curry | New Smyrna Beach | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| We live near the northern entrance to the Canaveral National Seashore Park. The Mosquito Lagoon is our back yard and the Atlantic Ocean in the front. We frequently go birding in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Park and the Vierra Wetlands to the south. I am also a amateur photographer with experience in digiscoping. I am 45 minutes south of Daytona Beach, and 90 minutes northeast of Orlando. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| G | Voigt | North Port | Weekend | English/a little Italian/German | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Southwest Florida-destination for many birds. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| C | Retey | Ocala | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| G | OKeefe | Ocala | Anytime | English some Spanish | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I've been birding since I was eight years old. I just moved into this area but have found some really good birding sites. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| G | Quigley | Minneola/Orlando | Weekend | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I am a Lake County Park Ranger & Biologist, Field Trip Chair for Orange Audubon, Lake County's eBird Coordiantor, and I have been birding for 20 years (since age 14), 5 of those here in Florida. I am available usually Sunday-Monday-Tuesday. I bird the local hotspots like Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Viera Wetlands, Orlando Wetlands Park, Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area, and many other good birding locations with in an hour of Orlando. I only ask that anyone I take out helps pay for fuel. Birds in the area include: Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, Florida Scrub Jay, Brown-Headed Nuthatch, & Bachman's Sparrow. Depending on time of year I average 85-100 species in a day. March-May and Sept.-Oct. are peak migration times and January is best for over winter birds. If you email me I promise I'll respond within 2 days, usually 24 hours. When contacting via email please provide 2 email addresses in your inquiry in case one should not allow me to respond for whatever reason. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| G | Deterra | Palm Harbor | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| An avid birder and nature photographer with 15 years of birding watching experience. The Palm Harbor area is within driving distance to many of the most beautiful bird watching areas in the U.S. to include Honeymoon Island State Park and Fort DeSoto Park. Specialize in small group birding from 2-4 birders and photographers. Available all year round. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Wolfe | Orlando | Weekend | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I enjoy birding in Orlando and anywhere else I get a chance to. Merritt Island is a great spot for winter birding. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| P | Baker | Pensacola | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| E | Reed | Plant City | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| M | Dodge | Port St. Lucie | Anytime | English some Spanish | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Often traveling. Web site http://jackmaryetc.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| A | Banks | Rotonda West | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Excellent birding opportunities in the SW coastal area of Florida. Summer is not the best time but there are interesting resident birds here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| J | Dubi | Sarasota | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Carroll | St. Cloud | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Me and my wife really enjoy birding, we are in our early forties and my wife is a photographer as well. We live in Central Florida, Orlando is just 20 minutes from us. We really like to pursue birds of prey. Bald Eagles, Hawks, Osprey, Cara Cara and even owls. But, will stop to view all species of birds and wildlife to. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| W | Senske | St. Petersburg (Winter only) | Anytime | English/poco Espanole | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid Oct to mid May. St. Petersburg Florida...Tierra Verde to be specific. I live about 2 miles from the famous birding park known as Ft. Desoto, wonderful for shore birds and migrating knock downs. I spent a day in the Costa Rican rain forest, and had seen most of the same birds on or around Ft. Desoto. Bird Photography is my hobby and I am retired. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Fishel | Stuart | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Shore birds and wetlands of South Florida. We can house two couples at a time. A can go with folks to the Everglades. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| P | Davenport | Sun City Center(Winter only) | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| N | Wienders | Tallahassee | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| P | Muddu | Tallahassee | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| B | Henderson | Tallahassee | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| T | Smith | Tallahassee | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| St. Marks N.W.R. I am a rank amateur but am very familiar with the area. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| S | Phillips | Tallahassee/St. Marks area | Weekend | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Birding guide/pal within 25 radius of Tallahassee fl. Weekends only. Can provide birding hotshots, places to dine and sleep. Soon will be available for birding during the week. Also interested in photography and am available for kayaking in rivers or gulf. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Kruetzman | The Villages/Ocala (Winter) | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| G | Jackson | The Villages/Ocala (Winter) | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| C | Beaton | Tampa/Sarasota | Anytime | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| A | Brayton | Titusville | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourty years of birding experience. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is only twelve miles from my house. Many other good birding spots near me. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Oren | Venice (Winter) | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| We are volunteer bird guides in Lehigh Valley, Pa from May to November and in Venice, Florida from November to April | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| L | Eskey | Vero Beach | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Many species, water birds, Cara Cara, etc, many migrate thru; Scrub Blue Jay, I think is endemic. Wife and I are retired...Pelican Island Reserve nearby. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| C | Geanangel | Winter Haven | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| A | Albright | Winter Haven | Weekend | English/basic Spanish | |||||||||||||||||||||
| On the central Florida flyway during fall migration. Many good habitats nearby. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Professional Guides If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Initial | Last Name | Area | Available | Language | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| R | Greenspun | Sarasota | Anytime | English | |||||||||||||||||||||
| My wife and I had the opportunity to bird with Rick for 4 days in Florida in the Tampa Bay area in February 2011. Rick has excellent and up to date information on birds and their migratory schedules and paths. He was always first to be ready at our bed and breakfast accommodation. He is arguably the best guide I have ever come across while travelling to different countries and already I have recommended Rick to many birders. BK. Sinha | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Local Information
| Name | Description
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| Birder friendly lodging | Florida |
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| Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | Florida |
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| Local weather | Yahoo |
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| Electronic maps | |
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| Field guides recommended by Birdingpals | Florida |
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| Find lowest prices for field guides, books, maps etc. | BookFinder4U |
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| Bird check list | Printable |
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| Florida Ornithological Society | Club |
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| Audubon Florida Society | Club |
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| Citrus County Audubon Society | Club |
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| Choctawhatchee Audubon Society | Club |
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| Orange Audubon Society | Club |
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| Halifax RiverR Audubon | Club |
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| Alachua Audubon Society | Club |
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| Tropical Audubon Society | Club |
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| Naples Birding | Club |
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| Sarasota Audubon Society | Club |
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| West Volusia Audubon Society | Club |
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| Lake Region Audubon Society | Club |
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| St. Lucie Audubon Society | Club |
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| Clearwater Audbubon Society | Club |
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| SRQ (Sarasota & Manatee Counties rare bird alerts) | RBA |
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| South of Sarasota County rare bird alerts) | RBA |
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| J. N. "Ding" Darling Foundation | Sites |
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| The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) | Sites |
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| Chuck Geanangel's | Polk County |
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| Birding Hotspots around the world | Sites |
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| Space Coast | Festival |
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| Cindy Novlin's | Photos |
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| John Schwarz's | Photos |
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| Florida Breeding Birds | Atlas |
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| NABA Atala Chapter | Butterflies |
Last update 27/01/2012