Floridawinter wildlife
When does migrating and wintering wildlife peak in Florida?
Migrating and wintering wildlife usually peaks from September to March.
Updated Sep 28.
Places by state
Florida
- Merritt Island RefugeStarts in ~5 weeks
Local timing: Nov 1–Apr 30
- Crystal River RefugeStarts in ~7 weeks
Local timing: Nov 15–Mar 31
- St. Marks RefugeStarts in ~8 weeks
Local timing: Nov 20–Dec 25
- Ding Darling RefugeSeason over
Local timing: Jan 1–Mar 31
Official reports
- Sep 28Park ServiceThe manatee season, sanctuaries, water access, Three Sisters Springs, the visitor center, fees and hours.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crystal River NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceDrone prohibition on the refuge.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crystal River NWR: Rules & Policies in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceManatee viewing above and below the water; the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk in winter.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crystal River NWR: Wildlife watching in a new tab)
Show all 13
- Sep 28Park ServiceSeasonal wildlife calendar in three-month blocks.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceVisitor center, Wildlife Drive, trails, fees, hours by month, dogs and current closures.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceBest birding months (November–April), winter waterfowl concentrations and spring and fall warbler migrations.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Merritt Island NWR: Birding in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceHours, visitor center, fees, Refuge Pass rules and NASA launch restrictions.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Merritt Island NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceTrail list with lengths, trailheads, observation towers and what to bring.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Merritt Island NWR: Trails in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceBlack Point Wildlife Drive, the refuge's most popular viewing area.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Merritt Island NWR: Wildlife watching in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceRefuge bird checklist; defines its seasons by month.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Merritt Island NWR Bird List (2019–2020) in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceWaterfowl hunting season in designated hunt areas.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Merritt Island NWR: Hunting in a new tab)
- 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)
- Sep 28Park ServiceHours, fees, visitor center, trails, rules and closures.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Questions people ask
Where can I see winter wildlife in Florida?
We track 4 places: Crystal River Refuge (its season: Nov 15–Mar 31), Ding Darling Refuge (its season: Jan 1–Mar 31), Merritt Island Refuge (its season: Nov 1–Apr 30) and St. Marks Refuge (its season: Nov 20–Dec 25).
When is peak winter wildlife in Florida in 2026?
It depends on the place and the animal. Of the places we track in Florida, the earliest season starts at Merritt Island Refuge (Nov 1–Apr 30) and the latest runs at Merritt Island Refuge (Nov 1–Apr 30). Each place page gives its own season and the animals behind it.
How do you track winter wildlife?
Each place moves through 4 stages: Birds arriving, Numbers building, Peak numbers and Birds departing. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.