Birdwatching – Forgotten Coast Fun

When Visiting the Forgotten Coast, Don’t Forget to Look Up

Admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 01:40:00 +0000

The Forgotten Coast is a paradise for birdwatchers. With its coastlines, forests, rivers, and bays, the Forgotten Coast is home, or at least a temporary home, to an incredible variety of birds, including bald eagles, osprey, falcons, warblers, herons, egrets, owls, cardinals, and so many more.

Winter is an excellent time for spotting many species of water birds, including ducks and loons and other water birds enjoy the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Coast.

Some of the best spots for birding on the Forgotten Coast include St. George Island State Park, Bald Point State Park, Old Carrabelle Beach, and the entire town of Apalachicola.

The Forgotten Coast is home to a wide variety of beautiful birds

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Allows You to See Online What Birds Have Been Spotted

Admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 18:39:00 +0000

Birding is one of the most popular activities along the Forgotten Coast, and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places to see the wide variety of birds that visit the area. While some birds only stay for a short while along their migratory route, other species can be spotted much of the year enjoying the pristine environment. In addition to the fascinating bird life, you may also spot American alligators, West Indian manatees, and deer, along with many other species.

The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for 278 species of birds throughout the year.

See what birds are being spotted at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with their e-Bird Tracker before you visit

If you’re curious to see which birds have been spotted recently at St. Marks, you can use the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project, eBird (https://ebird.org/home) to find bird distribution and other data.

Some of the Many Bird Species Found at St. Marks

Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons
Wood Storks
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
Little Blue Heron and Great Egret
Green- and Blue-Winged Teals
Piping Plover
Fish Crow

This unique refuge was established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. It is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It encompasses 68,000 acres spread out between Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor counties along the Gulf Coast of northwest Florida.

The refuge includes coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers, and is home to a diverse community of plant and animal life.

If you would like to experience the incredible range of wildlife diversity to be found on the Forgotten Coast, plan a trip to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

Life Finds A Way: The Forgotten Coast’s Birds and Hurricane Michael

Admin — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 20:03:26 +0000

The destruction of Hurricane Michael along the Florida Panhandle will never be forgotten. The loss of property for the human population was staggering, as homes from Panama City to Panacea were damaged or destroyed. It wasn’t only the people who suffered, as animals lost an astounding amount of habitat with the destruction of trees and forests in the path of the storm.

However, as it always does, animal life along the Forgotten Coast has found a way to endure, despite the catastrophic damage to our trees and forests. This nest build upon a broken tree near Tyndall Air Force Base is just one example of animal populations adapting to their changed environment.

Have you noticed any unusual nesting spots along the Forgotten Coast? If so, let us know!