Introduction
COVID
I booked this trip for March 2020 but I had to cancel due to the Covid. So, I will do it in 2023 instead.
I was spending time on Youtube watching bird videos. I discovered a Mark Smith's Youtube channel I discovered some gorgeous videos and there was a link to his web page https://photoworkshopsandtours.com
I discovered that he was running photo tours and I booked 2 different tours and I booked 3 of each
• ROSEATE SPOONBILL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 2020
• FLORIDA DIVING AND FEEDING OSPREY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
I was told by the tour organizer that the best lens would be a minimum 600mm so I cancelled the trips. I looked around for other tours and Guides in South Florida, no answers so I wanted to cancel Florida. But I had come to learn a lot about the Everglades during my search on internet and it is for sure looking like an exciting birding destination.
So I decided to go to Florida, rent a car and drive around Everglades by myself.
My original plan was to go birding in New York and at Niagara Falls after Florida. And as to find a Birding Guide in Florida was hard, impossible. But I found several Gides in Colorado. And Rocky Mountains sounds very exciting.
Colorado, the people seem very friendly and I was offered a lot of help and I found a Guide. Canada, and I found a Guide at Birdingpal for the area around Peterborough NW of Toronto.
So I will arrive to Miami, pick up my rented car and drive to Florida City. At least on the map it looks to be as far south you can come before Florida turns in to wilderness. A perfect place to start my daily bird watching adventures.
So my bird watching holiday will look like this: Florida - Colorado - Canada - New York and then back home. And you will be able to find out what birds I have seen just by follow the links below.
My plans were made in 2019
So I am off three years later, the Guide I had found in Peterborough, Canada is no longer available.
I wanted to cancel Peterborough but I decided to go anyway. I will rent a car for my stay in Canada so I can go check out the birding areas around Peterborough.
And also, the coast line between Peterborough and Toronto when going back south to Toronto.
I was in contact with a birding company in San Francisco, but now they are not available as they are going on a tour to Texas, A South Texas Adventure
I asked if they had any seats and I booked this tour. And I will fly via San Francisco where I will rent a car. Just stop for three days to look for Humming birds before going to Texas.
So, my UPDATED bird watching holiday will look like this: Florida - Colorado - San Francisco - Texas - Canada - New York and then back home.
To skip the information and to go straight to the TRIP REPORT click HERE
VISA
Please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html to see if you need a VISA. Maybe you are citizens of participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Then you may be eligible to visit the United States without a visa. Visits must be 90 days or less, and travellers must meet all requirements.
Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below.
In order to travel without a visa on the VWP, you must have authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a U.S. bound air or sea carrier. ESTA is a web-based system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine eligibility to travel under the VWP to the United States for tourism or business. Visit the ESTA webpage on the CBP website for more information.
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
• Valid passport(s) from a Visa Waiver Program country. ( List of Visa Waiver Countries )
• Traveller’s valid email address.
• Traveller’s home address and phone number.
• Traveller’s emergency point of contact phone and email.
Payment method:
Fee for application is $14.00 USD.
Valid payment methods include MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover (JCB or Diners Club only), and PayPal.
Flights
I had to book a couple of tickets to get me where I wanted
Singapore Airlines SQ 709
Bangkok Intl - Singapore Intl
27March2023 15:30 27March2023 18:55
Singapore Airlines SQ 22
Singapore Intl - New York, Newark Intl
27March2023 23:35 28March2023 06:00
United Airlines flight UA1181
New York, Newark - Miami
29March2023 10:56 29March2023 14:05
United Airlines flight UA2204
Miami - Denver
04Apr2023 08:00 04Apr2023 10:29
United Airlines flight UA1057
Denver - San Francisco
11Apr2023 13:26 11Apr2023 15:10
United Airlines UA1369/UA4256
San Francisco - Corpus Christi / via Houston
15April2023 09:51 15April2020 17:47
United Airlines UA1369/UA4256
Corpus Christi - Toronto Intl / via Houston
25April2023 12:21 25April2023 18:48
United Airlines UA3648
Toronto Intl - New York, Newark Intl
5May2023 10:32 5May2023 12:22
Singapore Airlines SQ 21
New York, Newark Intl - Singapore Intl
9May2023 10:25 10May2023 17:10
Singapore Airlines SQ 706
Singapore Intl - Bangkok Intl
11May2020 07:10 11May2020 08:35
Land transportation
• AOT Limousine between my home and Bangkok International Airport
AOT Limousine
I recommend the AOT or any other taxi service if you are leaving early morning. The price per trip is 1200 Baht comparing to around 220 Baht + about 80 Baht road toll. But the taxi can easily be 1000 baht if you´re getting desperate when not finding a taxi.
Early morning flight and it can be a hassle to find a taxi that want to take you to the airport so I book AOT and the car wait for me outside my apartment.
Leaving Suvarnabhumi and AOT have desks in the luggage claim area, where I use to book my car while waiting for my luggage. There are also desks just outside the custom and you cannot miss them.
Avis, I will rent a car at Miami International and I will return the car when I fly to Denver, Colorado
You can use Lyft in USA and Canada. They say that UBER is a little bit more expensive but maybe worth trying. I had problem with Lyft a couple of times. GPS position was not correct so when I ooked a car for the hotel, both me and the Driver had the same destination.
But we arrived to a totaly different adress. And drivers that came to the wrong pick-up point. Not speaking English etc. But most of the time it was working well and I went to several birding hotspots using Lyft when I did not have a rented car.
Accommodations
• Best Western Gateway to the Keys
• Best Western Premier Miami Intl Airport Hotel & Suites Coral Gables
Guide
I tried Birding Pal and all the tour companies I could find. No guide to be found so I decided to rent a car even though I don't like to drive. But a car is necessary in Everglades National Park and I really want to come here.
So no guide and a rented car it is. And there is loads of very good information about the Everglades on the internet.
Weather / climate
South Florida - Climate & Temperature
Pictures from www.climatemps.com
South Florida - Climate & Temperature - Click picture for full size picture
Pictures from www.climatemps.com
Equipment
Canon 5D Mk. III and Canon 5D Mk. IV
Canon EF 28-300/3,5-5,6 L IS USM
Canon EF 70-200/2,8L IS II USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens
Canon Speedlite 600EXII-RT flash
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II
Panasonic HC-W585 video camera
Sound recorder
ZOOM H5 Handy Recorder
References/Resources
ebird - Find birding hotspots with bird checklists from all over the world
Avibase - is an extensive database information system about all birds of the world, containing over 25 million records about 10,000 species and 22,000 subspecies of birds, including distribution information for 12,000 regions, taxonomy, synonyms in several languages
Cloudbirders - Read birding trip reports from all over the world
Fatbirder - Linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see their sister site: WAND
Fatbirder is a fantastic web page with information from, I think every country in the world. My first stop when I plan for my bird watching trips. There is information about locations and guides, well, pretty much everything you need to know. Sometimes this is the only place I need to visit to plan my trip.
BirdingPal - find a birding Guide around the world
And the web page you cannot live without. I have been around the world looking for birds. I usually have a Guide, but sometimes it is not possible to find a Guide. So, well, I have lost count on how many times I have had help to ID birds at BirdForum. Joining this forum have been very very good for my bird watching experience.
www.birdforum.net
ClimaTemps.com is the place to learn about the worlds climates with more than 4000 locations documented. Each aspect of the climate is represented using colour enhanced tables and professional graphs so that data can easily be compared by switching between locations in different tabs in your browser.
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 330 million visitors every year.
National Park Service - WOW !! And I mean WOW !! This is something I have not seen since New Zealand. What a page! All about the National Parks in USA. Chose a state from a map and a list of the National Parks are coming up. I clicked on Everglades and I had so much information about the visitor centres, trails and just about everything.
Well, not everything, how dangerous is the alligator? I sent an e-mail and I got an answer from the super friendly and helpful staff. And it did not take long fror them to answer.
Good afternoon,
The Anhinga Trail and the Shark Valley Tram Road will sometimes have alligators sunbathing on the hot pavement. Just go around them, give them their space, and you will be fine. We ask that, if possible, you give them 10 feet of space. Do not step over them.
On the trails, never step over a snake. The Park has four venomous snakes: the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the dusky pygmy rattlesnake, the Florida cottonmouth, and the Eastern coral snake. Do not try to move any snakes. Let them go on their way. They will be more common down near the Flamingo hiking trails.
For more information on birding, please check out our Discover over 300 Bird Species page .
Have a nice day,
Good morning,
Alligators are like large, scaly cats. They enjoy napping in the sunshine and don't want to be bothered by humans. Humans are not usual alligator prey, so they will not go after humans if you follow the rules about giving them there space. Check in with the Visitor Center for tips before you go out bird watching.
Have a nice day,
On Thu, Jan 23, 2020 at 8:32 AM Aladdin wrote:
Thank you very much
So I can go there risk free. I was in India looking for birds and I was always afraid coming within 10 meters from the water as they can attack. And I see on your pictures that the trails are quite wide so no chance to walk in to them. Looking for birds and I can sometimes loose the concentration.
Kind regards
Aladdin
AUDABON - Protecting waterbird populations has been part of Audubon’s mission even before the official establishment of the National Audubon Society. Outrage over the slaughter of millions of waterbirds, particularly egrets and other waders, for the millinery trade led to the foundation, by Harriet Hemenway and Minna B. Hall, of the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1896.
By 1898, state-level Audubon Societies had been established in Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, Illinois, Maine, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Minnesota, Texas, and California.
In 1900, Audubon member Frank M. Chapman launched the first Christmas Bird Count – Audubon’s all-volunteer holiday census of early-winter bird populations – as an alternative to the traditional Christmas “Side Hunt,” in which hunters competed to kill as many birds (and mammals) as possible.
This is a great web page! A great rescourse for bird watchers with a lot of information and guides.
Outside your door, on your way to work, at the beach—birds are everywhere. Whether you're a beginner looking for your first pair of binoculars or an experienced birder in search of identification tips, we have it all here for you. So go on, start exploring.
To reach the BIRDING you just choose GET OUTSIDE from the drop menu. Choose BIRDING and you reach the page with the below topics to choose from:
• How to Start Birding
• What You Need
• Identifying Birds
• In the Field
• Backyard Birding
• The Birdist’s Rules of Birding
Visit their Birding the United States - A state-by-state guide to the best birding hotspots around the country . To reach the interactive map you just choose GET OUTSIDE from the drop menu. Choose TRAVEL and choose a state on the interactive map. I get a list of HOT SPOTS that I can click on for more information.
The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail - A must visit web page before going for birding in Florida!!
The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a network of 510 premier wildlife viewing sites across the state. When you want to know where to go in Florida to see native birds, butterflies and more, head for the Trail. It’s Your Road to Adventure!
The Trail is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, supported in part by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and is possible thanks to dozens of federal, state, and local government agencies, non-governmental organizations and private landowners.
They have an EXCELLENT map with TRAIL SITES divided in the Floridas 4 regions:
• East
• Panhandle
• West
• South
They have put a lot of work in to this page where every site is listed with information. There is a FANTASTIC map if you click on the link TRIP PLANNER with florida is divided in the the 4 regions as above.
Again, a FANTASTIC web page with check lists, descriptions of every habitat available in Florida. And a calendar with all their events listed. You will not be disappointed with this web page!
AUDABON - Birding in Florida
For more than a century Audubon has encouraged people to take care of the places that make Florida special. Using science to guide our priorities and birdlife to measure ecosystem health, Audubon advocates for the protection of land, water, and wildlife.
Audubon is Florida’s most influential conservation organization and conducts extensive work to protect the Everglades and coastal bird habitats. We manage sanctuaries covering thousands of acres along with two popular nature centers.
Audubon promotes stewardship and appreciation of public land and water so people experience and cherish Florida’s natural beauty and wildlife.
After visiting this page I realize that 9 days might not be enough for birding. Hot spot list on a map with interesting information just by clicking the different spots.
Bird Watcher's Digest - A birding magazine with an interesting web page. Click the link EXPLORE - BIRDING BY REGION - then choose a state for information about pretty much everything you can wish for.
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America- National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Sixth Edition is a great guide. In my review of the fifth edition I qualified my recommendation, especially for owners of a prior edition. Not so with the sixth – it belongs in every birder’s library! From beginner to expert, it will be useful to any birder. And for those interested in geographic variation, it is a must."
– Grant McCreary (29-12-2011), read the full review at The Birder's Library
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
Places to visit
You need a ticket (pass) to enter Everglades National Park. YourPassNow allows visitors to federal and state public lands to purchase their entrance passes and recreation permits online, and Arrive Ready! You can buy it online HERE
Choose a destination and select the ticket you need. I paid 30 US $ for 5 days with car. I bought it one month in advance so no need to bother with this when I arrive to Florida.
I will try to visit all the below places during my 6 days in Florida:
Pine Island Trails:
• Anhinga Trail
• Gumbo Limbo Trail
• Long Pine Key Trails
• Pinelands Trail
• Pahayokee Overlook
• Mahogany Hammock Trail
PDF file about the Pine Island Trails HERE
Flamingo Trails:
• West Lake Trail
• Snake Bight Trail
• Rowdy Bend Trail
• Christian Point Trail
• Bear Lake Trail
• Eco Pond Trail
• Guy Bradley Trail
• Bayshore Trail
• Coastal Prairie Trail
PDF file about the Flamingo Trails HERE
Shark Valley Trails:
• Bobcat Boardwalk
• Otter Cave Hammock Trail
Visitor Centres:
• Flamingo Visitor Center
• Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
• Shark Valley Visitor Center
• OASIS VISITOR CENTER
• Gulf Coast Visitor Center
Pine Island Trails:
Anhinga Trail
(WALK) The Anhinga Trail is one of the premiere wetland trails in the National Park Service. It winds through Taylor Slough and the sawgrass prairie. It offers excellent nature viewing experiences year round, but especially during the winter or the dry season. During the dry season, the alligators and the anhingas are breeding and a shrinking Taylor Slough concentrates the wildlife. You can explore this trail on your own or with a ranger-led program.
Trail Length:0.8 miles (1200 meters) round trip
This self-guiding trail winds through a sawgrass marsh, where you may see alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, egrets, and many other birds, especially during the winter. This is one the most popular trails in the park because of its abundance of wildlife.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Gumbo Limbo Trail
(WALK) This self-guiding, paved trail meanders through a shadded, jungle-like hammock of gumbo limbo trees (Bursera simaruba), royal palms (Roystonea elata), ferns, and air plants.
Trail Length:0.4 miles (600 meters) round trip
From https://www.nps.gov/
Long Pine Key Trails
(HIKE) This trail offers visitors the opportunity to explore pine rockland, prairie and tropical hardwood hammock habitats. This trail runs west from Long Pine Key campground to Pine Glades Lake along the main park road.
Trail Length:Over 22 miles (35 km) of connecting trails
Connecting trails through the Pinelands run 7 miles (11 km) west from the Long Pine Key campground to Pine Glades Lake along the main park road.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Pinelands Trail
(HIKE) This short, paved loop trail is 2 miles west of the Long Pine Key turnoff on the main park road. It traverses pine rockland habitat. The pinelands are the most diverse habitat in the Everglades, consisting of an open South Florida slash pine forest with an understory of subtropical plants. Wheelchair accessible.
Trail Length:0.4 miles (650 meters) round trip
This trail loops through a forest of pines, palmettos, and wildflowers.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Pahayokee Overlook
(WALK) Be sure to bring your camera to this elevated wood boardwalk which leads to an overlook. This raised observation platform on this boardwalk loop provides sweeping vistas of the "river of grass." Wheelchair accessible.
Trail Length:0.16 miles (260 m) round trip
A raised observation platform on this boardwalk loop provides sweeping vistas of the "river of grass."
From https://www.nps.gov/
Mahogany Hammock Trail
(WALK) This self-guiding boardwalk trail meanders through a dense, jungle-like hardwook "hammock." Lush vegetation includes gumbo limbo trees, air plants, and the largest living mahogany tree (Swietenia mahogani) in the United States.
Trail Length:0.5 miles (800 meters) round trip
From https://www.nps.gov/
Flamingo Trails:
West Lake Trail
(WALK) This self-guided boardwalk trail wanders through a forest of white mangrove, black mangrove, red mangrove, and buttonwood trees to the edge of West Lake.
Trail Length:0.5 miles (800 meters) round trip
From https://www.nps.gov/
Snake Bight Trail
(walk or bicycle) Don't let the name deter you! In this play on words, a "bight" is actually a bay (Snake Bight) within a larger bay (Florida Bay). Enter another world as you walk through a tropical hardwood hammock wuth dozens of tropical trees species. There's great bird watching on the boardwalk at the end of the trail if you plan to arrive near high tide.
Trail Length:1.6 miles (2.6 km) one way
Please note that the Snake Bight Trail is not currently being maintained because of potential damage to critical habitat in the area for the Cape Sable thoroughwort. This is a small herb in the sunflower family with bluish-purple flowers. Global distribution restricted to coastal ENP and a few sites in the Florida Keys.
Park staff are reviewing trail management techniques to develop strategies that won't affect this habitat so that we can reinstate trail management in the future. For now the trail remains open but you should be aware of terrain that should be traversed carefully and may have vegetation, branches, or other flora and fauna that could affect your hike.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Rowdy Bend Trail
(WALK or bicycle) Explore an overgrown road bed through shady buttonwoods and open coastal prairie. This is an opportunity for good woodland bird watching. Combine this trail with the main park road (use caution!) and the Snake Bight Trail for a 12.6 mile round-trip bike ride from the Flamingo Visitor Center.
Trail Length:2.6 miles (4.2 km) one way
From https://www.nps.gov/
Christian Point Trail
(WALK) Wander along a rustic path through a wide variety of habitats. The trail begins in dense mangroves and buttonwoods full of bromeliads, or airplants. Next, investigate the unusual, salt-loving vegetation of open coastal prairie. Dead buttonwood snags interrupt these expanses that were shaped by hurricanes. Finally, you'll end up along the shore of Snake Bight, best viewed near high tide.
Trail Length:1.8 miles (2.9 km) one way
Please note that the Christian Point Trail is not currently being maintained because of potential damage to critical habitat in the area for the Cape Sable thoroughwort. This is a small herb in the sunflower family with bluish-purple flowers. Global distribution restricted to coastal ENP and a few sites in the Florida Keys.
Park staff are reviewing trail management techniques to develop strategies that won't affect this habitat so that we can reinstate trail management in the future. For now the trail remains open but you should be aware of terrain that should be traversed carefully and may have vegetation, branches, or other flora and fauna that could affect your hike.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Bear Lake Trail
(walk and paddle) Journey through a dense hardwood hammock mixed with mangroves. The trail follows the old Homestead Canal, built in 1922, and is an excellent area for woodland birds. There are more than 50 different tree species. Bike, drive, or walk to the end of Bear Lake Road to begin this trail, which ends at Bear Lake.
Trail Length:1.6 miles (2.6 km) one way
The Bear Lake Road is closed to private motor vehicles as posted due to water on the road, typically June through mid-October or November. Water on the road creates pot holes, presenting a threat of damage to vehicles transiting the roadway. It also creates a safety hazard when drivers try to avoid the standing water and get too close to the Button Wood Canal.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Eco Pond Trail
(WALK) Due to the salt intrusion from storm surges during the hurricane season of 2005, Eco Pond is in a state of change. Wading birds, shorebirds and occasional crocodiles can be seen.
Trail Length:0.5 miles (800 meters) round trip
Stroll around this freshwater pond and enjoy a wide variety of wading birds, song birds, ducks, and other wildlife. Alligators and Florida softshell turtles often cruise the pond. Visitors should know that the ramped viewing platform was heavily damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005 and has been removed.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Guy Bradley Trail
(WALK) Mingle with a variety of birds and butterflies, as you amble along the shore of Florida Bay. Old pier pilings are a reminder that Flamingo was once a small fishing village. The trail was named for Audubon warden Guy Bradley, murdered in 1905 by plume hunters while trying to protect a bird rookery in Florida Bay. This is a scenic shortcut between the campground day-use area and the visitor center.
Trail Length:1 mile (1.6 km) one way
From https://www.nps.gov/
Bayshore Loop Trail
(WALK) Meander along the shore of Florida Bay, watching for remnants of an outpost fishing village. Begin at the Coastal Prairie trailhead at the back of Loop "C" in the campground. Veer left at the trail junction to the bay.
Trail Length:2 miles (3.2 km) round trip
Meander along the shore of Florida Bay, watching for remnants of an outpost fishing village. Observe the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Wilma on the landscape.
Please note that the Bayshore Loop Trail is not currently being maintained because of potential damage to critical habitat in the area for the Cape Sable thoroughwort. This is a small herb in the sunflower family with bluish-purple flowers. Global distribution restricted to coastal ENP and a few sites in the Florida Keys.
Park staff are reviewing trail management techniques to develop strategies that won't affect this habitat so that we can reinstate trail management in the future. For now the trail remains open but you should be aware of terrain that should be traversed carefully and may have vegetation, branches, or other flora and fauna that could affect your hike.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Coastal Prairie Trail
(WALK) Step back in time as you walk this old road once used by cotton pickers and fishermen. Open prairies of succulent coastal plants dotted with shady buttonwoods surround you as you journey toward the shore of Florida Bay. Begin at the rear of Loop "C" in the campground. A backcountry permit is required for camping at Clubhouse
Trail Length:7.5 miles (12 km) one way
Please note that the Coastal Prairie Trail is not currently being maintained because of potential damage to critical habitat in the area for the Cape Sable thoroughwort. This is a small herb in the sunflower family with bluish-purple flowers. Global distribution restricted to coastal ENP and a few sites in the Florida Keys.
Park staff are reviewing trail management techniques to develop strategies that won't affect this habitat so that we can reinstate trail management in the future. For now the trail remains open but you should be aware of terrain that should be traversed carefully and may have vegetation, branches, or other flora and fauna that could affect your hike.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Shark Valley Trails:
Bobcat Boardwalk
A self-guided boardwalk trail that meanders through the sawgrass slough and tropical hardwood forests.
Trail Length:0.5 miles (800 meters) one way
From https://www.nps.gov/
Otter Cave Hammock Trail
A rough limestone trail through a tropical hardwood forest with small footbridges over a small stream. Check at the Shark Valley Visitor Center for current conditions of trail, it sometimes can be flooded during the summer.
Trail Length:0.25 miles (400 meters) one way
From https://www.nps.gov/
Visitor Center
Flamingo Visitor Center
Hours of Operation:
08:00 - 16:30 (mid-November through mid-April).
No regular hours off season (mid-April through mid-November), as the visitor center is staffed intermittently.
Amenities:The Flamingo Visitor Center offers educational displays, informational brochures, and backcountry permits. Campground facilities, a public boat ramp, a marina store, and other hiking and canoeing trails are located near the visitor center.
Everglades currently offers tours of Whitewater Bay Backountry Tour and Florida Bay at the Flamingo marina.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
Hours of Operation:
09:00 - 17:00 (Mid-April through Mid-December)
08:00 - 17:00 (Mid-December through Mid-April)
Amenities:Books, film, postcards, and insect repellent may be purchased in the adjoining bookstore. A series of popular walking trails begin only a short drive from the visitor center. Restrooms are available.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Shark Valley Visitor Center
Hours of Operation:
Visitor Center: 09:00 - 17:00
Entrance Gate: 08:30 - 18:00
Amenities:Shark Valley Visitor Center offers educational displays, a park video and informational brochures. Books, postcards, and other souvenirs are available in the gift store.
Guided tram tours, bicycle rentals, snacks and soft drinks are available from Shark Valley Tram Tours, Inc. (Please note: Electric bicycles are prohitibed on the Shark Valley loop)
Two short walking trails (one accessible), are located off the main trail for your enjoyment. Restrooms are available.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Oasis Visitor Center
Built in the 1960s, this building was once a private airport with a hanger and restaurant. It was rather eye-catching from the road due to the passenger plane mounted to its roof as decoration. Later it was a service station. The building was eventually purchased by the National Park Service in the 1980s to be used as a visitor center.
Today, the building serves as the Oasis Visitor Center. Inside, there are exhibits related to the natural and cultural history of the preserve, educational materials, sales items, and an introductory film. National Park Service staff are available to assist visitors with information about available activities.
Hours of Operation:
Open daily, 09:00-16:30. The visitor center is closed December 25.
Available Facilities:Florida National Parks Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms. National Park Service staff are available to assist visitors with information about available activities.
From https://www.nps.gov/
Gulf Coast Visitor Center
The Gulf Coast Visitor Center building is closed due to damages sustained from Hurricane Ian. The canoe and kayak launch, parking lot and covered pavilion are open, however services are limited. There is currently no drinking water available. For information contact the Reed Visitor Center at 239-695-4758.
Concession boat tours are operational, but tour tickets may not available for purchase in person. Please contact 855-793-5542 or visit them online .
From https://www.nps.gov/
Bird checklist
I never use any bird lists, but since I try to make it in to Cloudbirders . A very helpful site when planning your birding trips. But they ask for a bird checklist, and if I use their service, of course I want to contribute as well. My two first bird watching trip reports was rejected by Cloudbirders.
So I started to take ideas from the reports I found on Cloudbirders. So I have started to use bird lists, eBird generate one for me and I can post it on Cloudbirders. I will post my birds on eBird and on my different “BIRDS THAT I HAVE OBSERVED” pages.
Check lists can come in handy to find out the local name of the bird etc. And Avibase have a list with pictures and sounds, excellent!
So I will post bird checklists here and if my Guides provide me with checklists I will also post them here.
Florida bird checklist from Avibase, click HERE
Avibase is providing you with bird checklists from all over the world. And I´m impressed by their web page. Select country and area and you get the bird checklist. Like the PDF files I got from Avibase on the links above. You also get the checklist with pictures and sounds.
The best part is that you get the local names of the birds and the online checklist gives the names in English plus the language you have selected. But it seems like the PDF cannot handle some alphabet.
For example the Japanese language so it is blank in the PDF checklist. But it worked excellent with Ethiopian. But you get them in the local language on the online version.
Bird list
See My eBird checklists and the DAY TO DAY report in the itinerary below.
And you can visit my list of “ Birds I have seen in North America ”
eBird Life List
I have decided to use the eBird Life List function instead of doing my own time-consuming Life List. I discovered eBird Trip Report in April 2023 during my bird watching in North America, a new function that I now do for my bird watching trips.
And as this working beautifully I decided to use their Life List function and I will save hundreds of hours doing my own lists.
Pictures and location available by clicking the links in the pdf document. If you are using eBird you should be familiar with how it works.
My eBird checklists can be found HERE
Hot tips!
• You really need a rented car to enjoy the Everglades National Park
• Bring picnic lunch/ snacks and water/ MAX with you in the car. It is far between restaurants.
• I booked a hotel in Florida City, the closest to the Everglades National Park and I was stright on the highways out in the wilderness.
• If you rent a car, become a member before arriving to USA. VIP treatment as a member, and that is even though you are renting a car from this company for the first time. At least AVIS that I used had membership. I think they call it Avis Preferred.
DAY BY DAY reports
Click on the below links for daily bird watching reports:
Day 1: 29 th of March 2023 - Drive to Flamingo Visitor Center, 2 booked boat tours.
I will also explore some of the Flamingo Trails in the area. (Boat tours cancelled and changed for 31st of March and I will explore the Pine Island Trails)
Day 2: 30 th of March 2023 - Drive to Key West to explore some birding spots along the way
Day 3: 31 st of March 2023 - Royal Palm Information Station to explore the Pine Island Trails (Changed to 29th of MArch)
Day 4: 1 st of April 2023 - Shark Valley Visitor Center - Tram booked for 09:00.
Then to Oasis Visitor Center and driving back to hotel in Florida city via Loop Road Cypress National Preserve
Day 5: 2 nd of April 2023 - Drive to Everglades City for 2 boat tours. Driving back checking out the Birdon Roads Loop Drive and the Kirby Storter Roadside Park
Day 6: 3 rd of April 2023 - I will visit the Castellow Hammock Preserve to look for the Painted Buntings and the rest of the day I will check out areas I have missed during the first five days. Then drive to Miami Airport to check-in to Best Western Premier Miami Intl Airport Hotel & Suites Coral Gables
Day 7: 4 th of April 2023 - I will fly to Denver, Colorado.
eBird Trip Report
Since April 2023 eBird offer a new feature, to create Trip Reports. At least this is when I first heard of this feature and I have decided to make the eBird Trip Reports instead of my list of OBSERVED birds.
And of course, this also means that I will HAVE TO go back and do the same for my old birding adventures, WHEN I HAVE THE TIME!
Today's Trip Report: Bird watching in Southern Florida - 29 March to 4 April 2023 | Click HERE
Download | PDF
Lifers
Icons for lifers used in the eBird trip reports
Species lifer:First time that someone observes a species in their life
Photo lifer:First time that someone photographs a species in their life
Audio lifer:First time that someone audio records a species in their lifeExotic species
Exotic species flags differentiate locally introduced species from native species.
Naturalized:Exotic population is self-sustaining, breeding in the wild, persisting for many years, and not maintained through ongoing releases (including vagrants from Naturalized populations). These count in official eBird totals and, where applicable, have been accepted by regional bird records committee(s).
Provisional:Either: 1)member of exotic population that is breeding in the wild, self-propagating, and has persisted for multiple years, but not yet Naturalized; 2)rarity of uncertain provenance, with natural vagrancy or captive provenance both considered plausible.When applicable, eBird generally defers to bird records committees for records formally considered to be of "uncertain provenance". Provisional species count in official eBird totals.
Escapee:Exotic species known or suspected to be escaped or released, including those that havebred but don't yet fulfill the criteria for Provisional. Escapee exotics do not count in official eBird totals.
You are visitor no.
To www.aladdin.st since December 2005
Visitors from different countries since 26th of September 2011
