Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section

Florida · Southeast

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Habitat

River/RiparianGrassland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall Winter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section is a productive birding destination in Florida, with 201 species recorded on eBird. This river/riparian and grassland habitat attracts a wide variety of species among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Belted Kingfisher Yellow Warbler Song Sparrow Great Blue Heron Cedar Waxwing

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

6/3/2026Roper P1 observed

Palm Warbler (Western)

Setophaga palmarum

6/3/2026Roper Park1 observed

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

6/3/2026Newnans Lake--east end of University Ave.1 observed

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

6/3/2026Newnans Lake--Palm Point Park1 observed

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

6/3/2026Newnans Lake--Palm Point Park1 observed

Gadwall

Mareca strepera

6/2/2026Orange Creek Restoration Area--Alachua Co.1 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

6/2/2026Orange Creek Restoration Area--Alachua Co.2 observed

Ring-necked Duck

Aythya collaris

6/2/2026Orange Creek Restoration Area--Alachua Co.3 observed

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

6/2/2026Orange Creek Restoration Area--Alachua Co.1 observed

American Wigeon

Mareca americana

6/2/2026Orange Creek Restoration Area--Alachua Co.1 observed

Bank Swallow

Riparia riparia

6/2/2026Bivens Rim Forest Conservation Area1 observed

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

6/2/2026San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Carolina Wren

16/3/2026

Red-tailed Hawk

16/2/2026

Fish Crow

256/2/2026

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

26/2/2026

Mourning Dove

36/2/2026

Common Gallinule

16/2/2026

Wood Stork

16/2/2026

Glossy Ibis

16/2/2026

Roseate Spoonbill

16/2/2026

Little Blue Heron

16/2/2026

Tricolored Heron

26/2/2026

Snowy Egret

16/2/2026

Green Heron

16/2/2026

Western Cattle-Egret

266/2/2026

Great Egret

16/2/2026

Great Blue Heron

26/2/2026

Black Vulture

36/2/2026

Turkey Vulture

16/2/2026

Osprey

16/2/2026

Mississippi Kite

16/2/2026

Birding Tips

1
Walk along the water slowly, scanning overhanging branches for kingfishers and warblers.
2
Check sandbars and gravel bars for shorebirds and terns.
3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

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Florida Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in Florida →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

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Understanding Bird Migration

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section for birding?▼

The best months to visit Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.

What birds can I see at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section?▼

Notable species at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section include Belted Kingfisher, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, Cedar Waxwing. The area supports river/riparian, grassland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section?▼

Birding at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section?▼

Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.