Enjoy Birding in Palm Beach this Fall - November 2020
Hello everyone and welcome to November!
After a long hot summer, we’re finally getting some cooler fall weather here in South Florida. For birdwatchers, that’s a good sign that our fall birding season is arriving too!
Wildlife + Nature Trip to Juno Beach - Photo courtesy of Tom Wilkinson - WilkNorman Photography
Birders include a wide range of people, from those brand new to the hobby to folks with decades of experience. Some spend thousands of dollars on equipment and guided birding trips each year - others spend nothing and just enjoy birding from their back deck and neighborhood. One of the really cool things about birding as a hobby is that how and where you get involved is totally up to you!
We have a tremendous range of bird species here in South Florida, and many of our birds are year-rounders. But we’re also part of the Atlantic Flyway - sort of an aerial super highway system - so we see millions of migratory birds every fall and spring.
North American Flyways Map - Image courtesy of Melissa Mayntz - The Spruce
Some migratory birds decide to stay here instead of flying all the way to the Caribbean or Central / South America. This means that we get to enjoy some terrific birding during our winter months!
And while some birding sites are remote and best accessed by boat or short hikes, several have easy parking, short walks, even restrooms. Here are some favorite easy-access spots in Palm Beach County:
-Wakodahatchee Wetlands, 13270 Jog Road, Delray Beach
-Green Cay Wetlands, 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach
-Grassy Waters Preserve, 8264 North Lake Boulevard, West Palm Beach
-MacArthur Beach State Park, 10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach
This little fellow claimed his spot just 10 ft away at Wahodahatchee Wetlands!
Wakodahatchee and Green Cay are wetland reclamation projects; Grassy Waters Preserve is part of the City of West Palm Beach’s drinking water system. Despite being part of municipal water systems, these are very pretty natural settings with a variety of coastal wading birds. Many birds are just a few feet away from the boardwalks and railings, making photos easy!
In addition to these freshwater wetland areas, MacArthur Beach State Park offers great birding in brackish and saltwater environments. MacArthur boasts boardwalks, shady wooded trails and miles of oceanfront beach.
Osprey on the hunt for today’s fresh catch at MacArthur Beach State Park
“Golden hour” before sunset at MacArthur Beach State Park
Any of these spots are great for a few minutes or a few hours. Be sure to check hours of operation and any COVID restrictions with each before you go!
If you’d like to try one of our guided birding trips or a wildlife + nature trip, Aqua Adventure Tours is glad to help. Our Fall discounts make these trips great ways for families and small groups of friends to enjoy time together outdoors. All trips are customized and can include waterside lunches, easy hikes through wooded areas, sandbars, beach exploring and more! Check out the rest of our site and feel free to e-mail us at info@aquaadventuretours.com for more info.
Hope to see you on the water soon!