About Birding
Bird watching or birding is the recreational hobby of observing different species of wild birds, including their physical characteristics and behavior. It is a hobby that can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced birders on many levels...from just watching birds through the window to traveling to the other side of the world to see a rare species. Birding is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and will help a deep appreciation of nature.
Places to go Birding in Charlotte County
Visit any of Charlotte County's great parks listed under Birding Parks & Preserves, many of which are along the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Englewood
- Amberjack Environmental Park
- Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park
- Bill Coy Preserve
- Cedar Point Environmental Park
- Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park
- Oyster Creek Environmental Park
- Rotonda Park
- Thornton Key Preserve
Mid-County
- Audubon-Pennington Nature Park
- Bayshore Live Oak Park
- Larry Taylor Kiwanis Park
- Ollie's Pond Park
- William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park
- Tippecanoe Environmental Park
- Tippecanoe II
East County
- Charlotte Flatwoods Environmental Park
- Hathaway Park
- Peace River Preserve
- Prairie Creek Preserve
- Shell Creek Preserve
What you can see
The official Florida bird list stands at 485 species making Florida is the most diverse state east of the Mississippi River.
Charlotte County has ample opportunities to enjoy birding. Charlotte County's environmental parks and preserves provide a wide variety of habitats that support a diverse assemblage of bird species. There are also a number of state parks surrounding Charlotte Harbor that provide additional birding opportunities. Charlotte County is home to diverse population of birds including Northern Bobwhite, Sandhill Crane, Bald Eagle, Reddish Egret, Purple Gallinule, Red-shouldered Hawk, Green Heron, Florida Scrub Jay, Belted Kingfisher, Swallow-tailed Kite, Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Burrowing Owl, American Oystercatcher, White Pelican, Snowy Plover, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Black Skimmer, Bachman's Sparrow, Roseate Spoonbill, Black-necked Stilt, Wood Stork, Royal Tern, White-eyed Vireo, Pine Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker.
All it takes to get started as a birder is binoculars and a simple field guide. Don't forget to take along water, sunscreen and bug spray.
Birding Links
- American Birding Association
- Audubon Florida
- Charlotte Harbor Travel Information
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Florida Ornithological Society
- Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
- Kids Guide to Bird-Watching on the Playground
- National Audubon Society, Inc.
- Peace River Audubon Society
- Venice Area Audubon Society