Dry Tortugasspring migration
National parkAt Dry Tortugas National Park, spring migration picks up in March and peaks from April through mid-May, with more than 200 species passing through, per the National Park Service: usually April through mid-May. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Updated
Sources for this timing ↓About Dry Tortugas
- What it is
- A national park in Florida
- A little history
- Not in nesting season: Bush Key closes seasonally, but you can watch the nesting from Fort Jefferson on Garden Key with binoculars or a spotting scope.To protect its islands and marine ecosystems, preserve Fort Jefferson and shipwrecks, and allow regulated public access.
- What you'll see
- Spring bird migration · usual peak April through mid-May
- Before you go
- Which islands are closed? Hospital, Middle and Long keys are closed all year; Loggerhead Key is open year-round in daylight.
Right now at Dry Tortugas
Right now in Dry Tortugas · October
- Large flights of raptors · September and October
Your guide to the area
- Dry TortugasUsually: April through mid-MayThis page
- National Key Deer RefugeLocal timing: March and April95 mi
Where to watch
- Fort Jefferson (Garden Key)Watch the Bush Key nesting colony from the fort with binoculars or a scope (Bush Key itself closes seasonally)
- Loggerhead KeyOpen all year in daylight hours
Worth the drive
- National Key Deer RefugeWildlife refuge95 miMarch and AprilSatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
- St. Marks RefugeWildlife refuge390 miearly in the month (April)SatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
- Atchafalaya RefugeWildlife refuge677 miVisit in April or May for the best birding.SatShowers And Thunderstorms
- Wheeler RefugeWildlife refuge728 miApril: Teal migration is at its peak.SatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
- Pee Dee RefugeWildlife refuge740 miMarch, April, and MaySatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
- Dahomey RefugeWildlife refuge792 miMarch – JuneSatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
The year at Dry Tortugas
- Sooty terns nest by the thousands on Bush Key, with brown noddies and frigatebirdslate January through early July
- Feb: First northbound migrants arriveas early as mid-February
- Spring migration peaks, more than 200 speciesApril through mid-May
- Large flights of raptorsNowSeptember and October
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see spring migration at Dry Tortugas National Park?
Spring migration picks up in March and peaks from April through mid-May, with more than 200 species passing through, per the National Park Service: April through mid-May. That's the usual peak in the source's own words, not a forecast.
Is spring migration under way at Dry Tortugas National Park right now?
Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: April through mid-May, usually.
When does spring migration peak at Dry Tortugas?
From April through mid-May, after building up through March; more than 200 species pass through.Source: National Park Service, Dry Tortugas National Park (timing) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I visit the bird colony on Bush Key?
Not in nesting season: Bush Key closes seasonally, but you can watch the nesting from Fort Jefferson on Garden Key with binoculars or a spotting scope.Source: National Park Service, Dry Tortugas National Park (timing) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Which islands are closed?
Hospital, Middle and Long keys are closed all year; Loggerhead Key is open year-round in daylight.Source: National Park Service, Dry Tortugas National Park (timing) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Do the birds stay long?
Most species are just passing through or strays, here only briefly during spring and fall migration.Source: National Park Service, Dry Tortugas National Park (timing) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Why is Dry Tortugas a national park?
To protect its islands and marine ecosystems, preserve Fort Jefferson and shipwrecks, and allow regulated public access.Source: National Park Service, History & Culture - Dry Tortugas National Park ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Dry Tortugas National Park?
Fort Jefferson (Garden Key): watch the Bush Key nesting colony from the fort with binoculars or a scope (Bush Key itself closes seasonally); Loggerhead Key: open all year in daylight hours.
What is Dry Tortugas National Park like through the year?
Spring migration peaks, more than 200 species (Apr–May), Sooty terns nest by the thousands on Bush Key, with brown noddies and frigatebirds (Jan–Jul), Large flights of raptors (Sep–Oct) and First northbound migrants arrive (Feb).
How we know · Sources (2)
How we know
National Park Service, History & Culture - Dry Tortugas National Park (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · National Park Service, Dry Tortugas National Park (timing) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.