When to catch Florida'snatural highlights

When is the best time to see nature in Florida?

The peaks we can name in Florida each belong to a place, not the whole state. Warbler and shorebird migration at St. Marks: early April; Waterfowl at St. Marks: between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Each card below gives the source's own words and where they apply.

Checked Sep 30. Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The peaks through the year

Named places, in their sources' words; not statewide dates

Usual peakWarbler and shorebird migration at St. Marks
early April
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, on the Gulf coast south of Tallahassee
“Warbler and shorebird migration peaks early in the month.”
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Spring migration at St. Marks Refuge →
Most numerousWaterfowl at St. Marks
between Thanksgiving and Christmas
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
“Waterfowl populations reach their peak between Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Winter wildlife at St. Marks Refuge →

On one calendar

Approximate months; the cards above give the timing

Warbler and shorebird migration at St. MarksUsual peak: early April
Waterfowl at St. MarksMost numerous: between Thanksgiving and Christmas

Solid: a usual peak, the best viewing time or when animals are most numerous. Hatched: a broader season, never a peak.

Pick a part of Florida

6 places we follow

Big Bend and North Florida

St. Marks RefugeWinter wildlife · Wildlife by season

Nature Coast

Crystal River RefugeWinter wildlife

Atlantic Coast

Merritt Island RefugeWinter wildlife

Southwest Florida

Ding Darling RefugeWinter wildlife
Ten Thousand Islands RefugeWinter wildlife

Florida Keys

National Key Deer RefugeSpring migration · Wildlife by season

Florida on one map

Every place we follow here; tap one for its events

Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Browse by season and event

Spring migration · 1 place hereIn Florida →Everywhere →
Wildlife by season · 2 places hereIn Florida →Everywhere →
Winter wildlife · 5 places hereIn Florida →Everywhere →

Park guides and towns to stay in

Towns: straight-line distances on their own pages

Towns

Florida in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions

Three manatees resting in clear water — Three Florida manatees in the warm waters of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (date not given).. Photo: David Hinkel/USFWS · public domain · resized

Roseate spoonbills at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge (date not given).. Photo: Keenan Adams/USFWS · public domain · resized

A reddish egret at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (date not given).. Photo: James Lyon/USFWS · public domain · resized

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages

Sep 28Park ServiceMonth-by-month wildlife calendar for the refuge.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)