Locations in and around St. Augustine:
These are our best birding areas. Have fun!

Anastasia State Recreation Area
Faver-Dykes State Park
Ft. Matanzas National Monument
Guana River State Park
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
St. Johns Agricultural Center
Stokes Landing Conservation Area
Vilano Boat Ramp and Beach
Washington Oaks State Gardens

Other Areas near St. Johns County
(All are within a two-hour drive of St. Augustine)
Blue Spring State Park - Deland
Huguenot Memorial City Park (Wards Bank) - Jacksonville
Kingsley Plantation, Little Talbot, Ft. Clinch - Jacksonville
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge - DeLeon Springs
Merritt Island NWR and Canaveral National Seashore - Titusville
Okefenokee NWR - Folkston, GA
Paynes Prairie State Preserve - Gainesville
Ravine State Gardens - Palatka

Hot Spots in St. Johns County

Clicking on any of the location titles below will launch that location's official website in a new browser window.

Anastasia State Recreation Area
Located on a barrier island, Anastasia SRA is noted for its richly varied and abundant bird life. Beaches, sand dunes, lagoons, tidal marshes and hardwood forests accommodate a variety of shore birds, herons, ducks, and song birds. There is a self-guided nature trail.
Directions: From downtown St. Augustine, cross the Intra Coastal Waterway over the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Blvd. Go about a mile, pass the Alligator Farm on your right, and turn left (in the bend) into the Recreation Area. (Entrance fee)

Faver-Dykes State Park
The park (752 acres) borders the tidal marshes of Pellicer Creek, an aquatic preserve. During spring and fall migration, many species of song birds pass through. Pinelands, hammocks, swamps, bayheads and marshes account for many birds and other wildlife. During 1997, SJAS members volunteered to assist the park staff in compiling a bird species list.
Directions: At exit 92 off I-95, take Rt. 1 North. Turn right on Faver-Dykes Rd. (it is situated between two gas stations at the exit). This road will lead directly into the park. Entrance fee.

Ft. Matanzas National Monument
Fort Matanzas NM is always a lot of fun. The park has good nature trails with boardwalks and a free ferry which will take you across the river to the fort. A climb to the top will reward you with a grand view of the river and its marshes. There is no entrance fee. Take a walk along the inlet and over to the beach side for some shore bird watching.
Directions: US 1 South to CR 206. Turn left (East) on CR206, then right (South on Rt A1A. to Rt. A1A, then south to the Matanzas National Monument, on the right, just before the Matanzas Inlet bridge. Turn right into parking lot.

Guana River State Park
This 2200 acre park is one of the favorite field trip destinations of SJAS members. The diversity of habitat, abundant bird life, and variety of insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals make this park a winner. Nearly 200 species of birds are seen here. The gray fox, white-tailed deer, bobcats, and wild boar also make their home here. Along the beach, dunes are spectacular and vegetated with sea oats, railroad vine, panic grass, and others.
Directions: Cross the Usina Bridge (a.k.a. Vilano Bridge) east over the IntraCoastal Waterway. Turn left (north) on Rt. A1A. Go 8 miles until you see the Park sign on your left. (Entrance fee.)

St. Augustine Alligator Farm
In addition to species of alligators and crocodiles from all over the world, the "farm" is also a natural rookery for egrets, Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, herons, and others. The absolutely best time to visit and view the fledglings is in mid-March to early April. A boardwalk over a lagoon brings you close-up and personal to many of these big beautiful birds and their young ones. No need for binoculars but bring your camera. For directions, see Anastasia State Recreation Area. Admission fee.

St. Johns Agricultural Center
Meadows, ponds, and forests offer a variety of bird species: hawks, herons, egrets, meadowlarks, and other song birds. Visit the center and pick up some interesting literature on a variety of agricultural and environmental topics.
Directions: Take U.S. 1 north to Route 16 West. Go approximately 6 miles. Immediately after passing under I-95, look for Route 208 on your left. Go on route 208 for a short distance. Turn left on Agricultural Drive - take this road to the end. On your right is the "Ag" Center.

Stokes Landing Conservation Area
Stokes Landing (286 acres) is located just north of the St. Augustine Airport. Stokes Landing habitats include tidal marsh, hardwood hammocks, and pine flatwoods. Much of the area overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. An observation platform is at the north end of the area. Birds observed recently included green-winged teal, hooded and red-breasted mergansers, eagles, harriers, sharp-tailed and seaside sparrows, sedge and marsh wrens, as well as a large assortment of more common species.
The "trails" are actually deeply rutted roads so supportive footwear is recommended. Insect repellent is a must and there are no "facilities". Plan to have lunch or dinner at the King's Head Pub, an Audubon hangout.
Directions: drive approximately 3 miles north of St. Augustine Airport on Rt. 1. Make a right on Venetian Blvd. (at the King's Head British Pub). Then turn right again on Old Dixie Highway (2 blocks), turn left on Lakeshore Dr. (0.2 mi.). The Conservation Area will be approximately a mile down Lakeshore Dr. on your right and is marked by a small fenced parking area and information kiosk.

Vilano Boat Ramp
Located on the west side of the Usina Bridge (a.k.a. Vilano Bridge), the boat ramp yields some interesting sightings of shore birds and others. The tidal marshes and Intracoastal Waterway are prime viewing areas for ospreys, egrets, herons, gulls, terns, white ibis, and dolphins. Best at low tide; cross the road for more tidal marsh habitat.

Washington Oaks State Gardens
Over 400 acres of Florida's original coastal scenery are part of this preserve. Hammock, tidal marshes, scrub, a boulder-strewn beach, tidal pools, and formal gardens offer a variety of plant and animal life including the Florida Scrub-Jay, shore birds, Brown Pelicans, Pileated Woodpecker, deer and other wildlife.
Directions: From St. Augustine, travel on A1A south. The Gardens are approximately 2 miles south of Marineland.

Hot Spots Within Two Hours Of St. Johns County

Blue Spring State Park - Deland
The colder water temperatures in the St. Johns River during January and February bring the manatees to Blue Springs in search of the warm spring waters. A boardwalk with several observation platforms along the embankment allow for excellent viewing of the manatees. Your trip should also include Hontoon Island, located in the St. Johns River close to Blue Springs SP.
Directions: I-95 South to I-4 West. Leave at Exit #54 and follow route 472 west 3 mi. Turn left onto US-17. Go south about 2 mi. Look for large brown park sign and turn left at W. French Ave. Go 3 mi. to park entrance.

Huguenot Memorial City Park (Wards Bank) - Jacksonville
This park is on the north shore of the mouth of the St. Johns River. To reach the best areas of the park, turn right from the guard station and follow the paved road towards the ocean. Park and walk across the dunes to the north jetty. Many shorebirds, gulls and terns can be seen on a sand spit between the jetty and the River. Low tide is best. (Approx. 90 minutes from St. Augustine)

Kingsley Plantation, Little Talbot, Ft. Clinch - Jacksonville
Situated on the north bank of the St. Johns River, the Kingsley Plantation is on Ft. George Island. Look for Painted Buntings in the woods as well as Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings. Follow the road around a former golf course; visit the plantation if time permits. Go north across the Ft. George River to Little Talbot Island State Park (2500 acres). The north end contains a very large number of shore birds, gulls and terns. The south end has an observation deck from which to scan the ocean. Look for Northern Gannets and sea ducks. Continue traveling north to Fernandina Beach and look for Ft. Clinch State Park. Check out the Willow Pond Nature Trail on the left side of the main park road. It is good for migrants, wintering land birds, and in spring and summer, for Painted Buntings. The fishing pier is a hangout for Purple Sandpipers in winter and is a good spot to scan for sea ducks. (Both state parks require an entrance fee.) (Approx. 90 minutes north from St. Augustine)

 
Lake Woodruff NWR - DeLeon Springs
This wonderful refuge is about 60 miles southwest of St. Augustine in DeLeon Springs. Containing over 18,400 acres of marsh, swamps, and upland habitat, it reminds us of a miniature Merritt Island. Some of the refuge is accessible only by boat but many birders walk the man-made dikes that form the pools. These attract waterfowl and many other species of marsh birds. We counted 32 species of birds including a single, solitary, and rare (for the area) snow goose.

Merritt Island NWR and Canaveral National Seashore - Titusville
This is one of the top birding sites on the Florida Atlantic coast and is home to 21 Threatened and Endangered animals. It also contains the world's largest population of Florida Scrub-Jays. Bald Eagles, Ospreys, many shore birds and wintering water-fowl can be seen. At the Seashore, on days with strong east or northeast winds, many pelagic birds are seen. To date, 310 species have been identified. The NWR Visitors Center and the Black Point Wildlife Drive are tops. Best months are October - March. (Approx. 90 minutes south from St. Augustine)

Okefenokee NWR - Folkston, GA
The largest NWR in the U.S., Okefenokee is in southeast Georgia with parts extending into Northern Florida. The refuge contains 396,000 acres of magnificent swamp. SJAS members visit regularly and are never disappointed: a large variety of bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, and fish life exists. Sandhill cranes, alligators, hawks, ospreys, snakes, woodland birds including the elusive Red-cockaded Woodpecker are found here. (Folkston, GA entrance - about 2 hours north from St. Augustine)

Paynes Prairie State Preserve - Gainesville
This 20,224 acre preserve is one of the most popular birding sites in North Florida. Thousands of Sandhill Cranes winter here as well as many species of sparrows including Grasshopper, Lincoln's and White-crowned. Fall migration at the Bolen Bluff Trail offers extensive warbler species such as Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Worm-eating, Kentucky, and others. (About 2 hours south, southwest from St. Augustine)

Ravine State Gardens - Palatka
Best seen in early spring when extensive plantings of Azaleas and Camelias are in full bloom. A mixed hardwood forest is home to many bird species, especially during spring and fall migration. Cedar Waxwings, Red-headed Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker and many other birds abound in this unusual setting. (Yes, there is a ravine - you can cross it via the suspension bridge; don't miss it!) (About 1 hour west from St. Augustine)