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Birding continues to be one of the most popular activities in the county. It’s always the right time to go birding in Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches. Visitors can keep their eyes to the skies while exploring our 40+ parks and preserves to experience many of the birds that call themselves Florida natives and others that are just passing through. Six of Palm Coast and Flagler Beach trails are listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail which boasts a myriad of birding opportunities you are sure to enjoy.
If you are an enthusiast, you’ll be happy to know that you can find more than 200 species of birds here in the area. You’re sure to spot many Bald Eagles throughout Palm Coast; however, Princess Place Preserve is one park that is home to a nest. Ever-popular shorebirds can be found on our beaches and throughout our parks and preserves. If you’re looking for guidance, you’ll find it with the Flagler County Audubon Society. This organization is a great resource for beginning and experienced birders. So go grab a beginner’s book and some binoculars for a fun and educational outing with your family.
Look to the sky and see if you can spot these species!
American Coot
The American Coot (Fulica americana) is a bird of the family Rallidae, which can be found in wetlands and near open water from southern Quebec to the Pacific Coast of North America, and as far south as the northern part of South America.
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetu sleucocephalus) has long been a symbol of power, wisdom and beauty in the United States. Also known as the American Eagle, this majestic bird’s range includes most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. They can be found near large bodies of open water where there is an abundant food supply and tall trees for nesting.
Brown Pelican
Despite weighing between 6 and 12 pounds with an average wingspan of 6 to 8 feet, the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is the smallest of the eight species of pelican. This bird is found along the ocean shores from North America down to northern Peru, typically nesting in colonies. With a diet of crustaceans, amphibians and fish, it is the only dark pelican and the only one that plunges from the air to catch its food.
Laughing Gull
The Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) is a medium-sized gull, which resides in North and South America. It breeds on the Atlantic Coast of North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Northernmost populations migrate further south in winter.
Northern Gannet
The beautiful Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) is one of the three gannet subspecies in the world. These seabirds are excellent divers and eat small fish like herring, mackerel, capelin and sandlance, as well as squid near the surface of the water. Northern Gannets are also known as “Solans,” “Solan geese” and “Solant birds.”
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
The Yellow-Rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) actually refers to four closely related Northern American bird —the eastern Myrtle Warbler, its western counterpart, Audubon's Warbler, the northwest Mexican Black-fronted Warbler and the Guatemalan Goldman's Warbler. This species breeds from eastern North America west to the Pacific, and southward into Western Mexico.
The Betty Steflik Memorial Preserve's 217 acres offer the visitor a unique view of the salt marsh and coastal scrub communities. Walk
the trails through the coastal scrub and stroll the boardwalk over the salt marsh for a close-up view of the plants and animals of
these marine communities in their natural habitat. Enjoy bird watching, fish from the pier, launch your boat from the Moody Boat
Launch for fun in the Intracoastal Waterway, or treat yourself to a picnic.
815 Moody Lane
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
386-313-4020
http://www.flaglercounty.org/facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=1
Visitors to the museum can visit a fully restored 1890s pioneer homestead, a turn of the last century, Dry Goods Store, five restored
buildings from a 1930s Depression-Era citrus operation, and a 5,000 square foot dairy barn formerly belonging to Governor of Florida,
Millard Caldwell. All of these exhibits were moved from their original locations and renovated with grant funds provided by the Florida
Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. The Florida Agricultural Museum is now open to the public on Wed. thru Sun. from
9am-5 pm with tours on the hour from 10 am-4pm.
7900 Old Kings Road
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-446-7630
http://www.myagmuseum.com
This park is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and by the Intracoastal Waterway on the west. It has a variety of recreational
opportunities and is breathtaking. Activities: walking, camping, fishing, boat ramp, picnic, hiking, birding, pet friendly Open 365
days a year from 8:00 a.m. to Sunset. Now you can rent bikes, canoes, and kayaks at Gamble Rogers!
3100 South Oceanshore Blvd
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
386-517-2084
http://www.floridastateparks.org/gamblerogers/
Located south of CR 2006 between Dead Lake & County Road 305, this 1,005 acre preserve features boat launch facilities and a
boardwalk that winds through the swamp with overlooks on Haw Creek. Activities: walking, boating ramps, bird-watching, fishing,
canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking and primitive group camping.
County Road 2007
Bunnell, FL 32110
386-313-4020
http://www.flaglerparks.com
This two-acre site is great for looking for ruby-throated hummingbirds during the summer and gannets during the winter. Take the dune
walkover to find shorebirds, gulls, and pelicans. Activities: walking, sunbathing, bird watching, beach access, parking, pet
friendly
125 Jungle Hut Rd
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-313-4020
http://www.flaglercounty.org/facilities.aspx?search=1&CID=1&RID=11&Page=detail
Princess Place Preserve is the crown jewel of Flagler County's preserves. This beautiful 1500 acre preserve is located at the
confluence of Pellicer Creek, Moody Creek, and the Matanzas River. This beautiful 1,500-acre preserve situated in the northern part of
Flagler County was purchased by Henry Cutting in 1886 and passed on to his widow Angela Mills Cutting Worden, who eventually
married Boris Scherbatoff, an exiled Russian prince. Angela assumed the title of princess and it was then that the once named
"Cherokee Grove" came to be known as "Princess Place. The original lodge built by Henry Cutting still stands as Flagler County's
oldest intact structure. Also on-site is Florida's very first in-ground swimming pool.
2500 Princess Place Preserve
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-313-4020
http://www.flaglercounty.org/facilities.aspx?search=1CID=1&RID=18&Page=detail
The River to Sea Preserve is located on both sides of highway A1A at Marineland and is owned jointly by Flagler County and the Town of
Marineland. The 90-acre preserve offers walking trails, nature vistas, and ecological education opportunities as well as public access
to the beach. Visit our beachside boardwalk for a majestic view of the beach and ocean. Our canoe and kayak launch provides access
to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Matanzas River. Beaches, Bicycling, Birding, Camping - Group, Camping - Primitive, Canoe / Kayak
Launch, Fishing, Hiking / Nature Trail, Pets, Picnic Pavilion, Picnicking, Restroom Facilities, Showers, Day Visitors, and Wildlife
Viewing.
9805 N. Oceanshore Blvd.
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-313-4020
http://www.flaglercounty.org/facilities.aspx?search=1&CID=1&RID=19&Page=detail
St. Joe Walkway/Palm Coast Linear Park is located in the hammock area. This beautiful shaded walkway exhibits the true beauty of
Florida and can be enjoyed by everyone. Activities: walking, jogging, hiking, bird watching, cycling, picnicking, playground area,
shuffleboard, pet friendly.
305 Palm Coast Parkway
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-986-2323
http://www.palmcoastgov.com
Just a short drive north of Flagler Beach, Varn Park, covering eight acres, offers wheelchair access to the beach plus restrooms with
outdoor showers and ample parking. Varn Park is an excellent spot for shorebird observation and "line" birds, particularly scrub jays
that frequent overhead wires from here to the Matanzas Inlet. Varn Park is also a very popular surf fishing spot, and on most
days fisherman can be seen casting for blues, whiting, flounder, snapper, and many other varieties. Activities & Amenities:
walking, bird watching, beach access, parking, restrooms, showers, picnicking.
3665 North Oceanshore Blvd.
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
386-313-4020
http://www.flaglercounty.org/facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=21
Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, Washington Oaks is also famous for the unique shoreline of coquina rock
formations that line its Atlantic beach. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, this property was once owned by a
distant relative of President George Washington. The gardens were established by Louise and Owen Young who purchased the land in 1936
and built a winter retirement home. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the State. The gardens
make remarkable use of native and exotic species, from azaleas and camellias to the exquisite bird of paradise, sheltered within a
picturesque oak hammock. Visitors can picnic and fish from either the beach or the seawall along the Matanzas River. A number of short
trails provide opportunities for hiking and bicycling. Visitors can learn about the park's natural and cultural resources in the
visitor center. Located two miles south of Marineland on State Road A1A.
6400 N Oceanshore Boulevard
Palm Coast, FL 32137
386-446-6780
http://www.floridastateparks.org/washingtonoaks/
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