Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Florida · Southeast
Moderate
October-April
Free
Open Fri-Sun, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a productive birding destination in Florida, with 294 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Blue-winged Teal, and Canvasback among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidon nilotica
Painted Bunting
Passerina ciris
Canvasback
Aythya valisineria
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
Mississippi Kite
Ictinia mississippiensis
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Common Gallinule
Black-necked Stilt
Anhinga
Double-crested Cormorant
White Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Snowy Egret
Western Cattle-Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Osprey
Swallow-tailed Kite
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Boat-tailed Grackle
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Birding Tips
- 1
Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.
- 2
Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.
- 3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.
- 4
A spotting scope is essential here — many waterbirds stay far from shore and are difficult to identify with binoculars alone.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Lake Apopka North Shore
- Oakland Nature Preserve
- West Orange Trail
More in Florida
Everglades National Park
Vast subtropical wilderness with incredible wading bird concentrations and tropical species.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Remote island migrant trap with the only continental US Sooty Tern colony.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel Island mangrove refuge with spectacular wading bird viewing from Wildlife Drive.
Florida Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Florida →