Putnam County Offers Some of Florida’s Best Birding and Here’s Where to Go!
Explore Putnam County’s Top Birding Hotspots
As you bask in the area’s natural settings and sit in silence, you’ll start to hear the playlist of Putnam County, Florida. Around here, it’s easy to find a place to hear the sweet chorus of the resident songbirds. Maybe you’ll hear the song of the Northern Cardinals, or the call of the Sandhill Cranes. There’s a good chance you’ll hear both – and a lot more.
The communities that make up this region of the state hold some of Florida’s best birding hotspots. From the shorebirds that fish alongside the anglers on the St. Johns River to the majestic eagles soaring through the forest, this area has multiple locations that serve as prime birdwatching spots. If you’re hoping to cross a few new species off of your life list or just enjoy a day out in nature, here are some great places to see birds in northeast Florida.
Great Florida Birding Trail Locations in Putnam County, FL
The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and it is designed as a tool to help birders find the best birding spots in Florida. Passionate avian enthusiasts have curated a list of the state’s best birding locations, and it’s a roadmap for eager birdwatchers. There are five prestigious birding spots in Putnam County that are listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail, and each is unique in its own way.
You’ll want to try to plan a visit to each of these prime birdwatching locations when you visit, as each one has earned its credibility. eBird is a program that is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that tracks bird observations around the world. According to their data, more than 100 avian species have been identified at each of these locations.
Location: Crescent City, FL
eBird: 144 species
What to Know: The Welaka National Fish Hatchery manages a free aquarium in Welaka (and you should definitely visit there as well), but birders will want to head to the hatchery’s main office in Crescent City. Across the street from the office is an observation tower that looks out over some of the hatchery’s ponds. Wildlife enthusiasts can see an array of birds, including Bald Eagles. The eagles frequently hang out in the trees to the left of the tower, so bring the binoculars and keep a watchful eye out for them. This is also the location of the trailhead for the Beecher Spring Trail. The 1.6-mile round-trip hike on the out-and-back trail takes you through four diverse habitats, allowing more chances to spot birds.
Location: Welaka, FL
eBird: 107 species
What to Know: This forest is adjacent to the hatchery’s land, so it’s very easy to visit both. Multiple trails weave through the forest, including one for equestrians. You’ll often see birds along the perimeter of the forest, too. Sandhill Cranes are often seen hanging out on the side of the road or at the Welaka State Forest office. Birders will find multiple camping options available at Welaka State Forest, including a campground that has pull-through RV pads, semi-primitive campsites, and equestrian camping. Two primitive campsites are more secluded. They are in the forest and sit alongside the water’s edge, making it a great way to wake up to the sounds of the resident birds.
Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area
Location: Palatka, FL
eBird: 110 species
What to Know: This natural spot sits between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers and has over 20 miles of multi-use trails and unpaved roads, including a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail. There are a variety of birds that you can see here, including Swallow-tailed Kites. It’s important to note that this location serves as a hunting spot also, so make sure to check the hunting schedule for Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area before you go, and if you choose to go birding on a hunting day, please make sure you wear a fluorescent orange shirt, vest, jacket, or hat.
Location: Palatka, FL
eBird: 128 species
What to Know: This state park gives you the chance to experience birds and blooms all in one place. It is less than two miles away from downtown Palatka, but when you’re there, you’ll be embraced by its natural botanical setting. Ravine Gardens State Park is well-known for its colorful foliage, including the thousands of azaleas that can be found in and around the dramatic ravines. More blooms await in the gardens, and you may even be lucky enough to spot a Ruby-throated Hummingbird there. You can hike among the ravines and experience the terrain of the trails as you search for birds, but you can also take a scenic drive or bike ride. Ravine Loop Drive is a paved road that you can cruise along, and there are multiple lookout platforms where you can stop along the way and do some birdwatching.
Location: Florahome, FL
eBird: 128 species
What to Know: This forest encompasses over 8,900 acres and includes multiple hiking trails, including portions of the Florida National Scenic Trail and the Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail. Birders love this spot because it is known to be a location where you can see the threatened Florida Scrub-Jay. This bird is endemic to Florida and lives in the scrub habitat. Nature lovers who are seeking a peaceful place to stay overnight will find six primitive campsites within the forest at an area known as Green Camp. There isn’t electricity, but there is a non-potable water source. It is a great spot for stargazing at night, and it comes with the bonus of being able to wake up among the birds of the forest. Part of this forest is located within the Etoniah Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and is used for hunting as well. Make sure you’re aware of designated hunting seasons.
Locations on the St. Johns Regional Audubon Society’s Birding Hotspot List
The St. Johns Regional Audubon Society is the local chapter of the National Audubon Society, and they’ve curated their own list of birding hotspots that includes three in Putnam County. In addition to Welaka National Fish Hatchery and Welaka State Forest, which are also listed on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, they have also identified Dunns Creek State Park as one of the best places to see birds in Putnam County. You’ll want to add this one to your list of places to visit as well if you’re coming to the area to do some birdwatching.
Location: Pomona Park
eBird: 84 species
What to Know: There are two entrances for the park, but the main entrance that allows access to the majority of the trails is located on Sisco Road. This park spreads out over 6,300 acres and is home to 21 natural communities, including steephead ravines, slope forests, and seepage streams. There are more than 60 miles of service roads and trails within Dunns Creek State Park, and there’s an on-site canoe and kayak launch that’s ADA accessible. That allows birdwatchers the chance to view birds both on and off the water. With the diversity that can be found there, there’s no doubt that this is a great place for birding. Some of the avian species found there include Pileated Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, and Anhingas.
Dunns Creek State Park also has bird species that are dependent upon fire. Putnam Land Conservancy is involved in a program called Burning for the Birds, which is funded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative. They recently hosted an event in partnership with Friends of Dunns Creek State Park to educate the public about how prescribed burns can help bird populations. Birders also learned how to use bird data tracking tools such as eBird and Merlin (another great app that helps you identify birds by sound).
A Few of the Many Birds You Can See in Putnam County, Florida
- Sandhill Crane
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Northern Parula
- Common Grackle
- Gray Catbird
- White Ibis
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Snowy Egret
- Wood Stork
- Mourning Dove
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- Carolina Wren
- Wild Turkey
- Northern Cardinal
- Little Blue Heron
- Osprey
- Great Egret
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Palm Warbler
- American Kestrel
- Tufted Titmouse
- Eastern Bluebird
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Florida Scrub-Jay
- Bald Eagles
Fun Fact: Florida is one of the top states where you can see these Bald Eagles. According to estimates from FWC, the state has about 1,500 nesting pairs of Bald Eagles, making it one of the densest concentrations of nesting Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. It’s pretty common to see them in Putnam County, FL.
This is only a short list of the many birds that can be found here. We encourage you to check out the bird lists on eBird for the specific birding location you’re visiting. That’s where you’ll be able to see what other birders have observed at those locations. Also, be sure to download the Visit Putnam FL app for Apple or Android to learn more about planning a birding trip to Putnam County.
Free Birding Resources