Florida has a wide range of birding hotspots and festivals.  Two publications will aid you in choosing where to go in the state: The Great Florida Birding Trail and Birding Florida.   The Great Florida Birding Trail brochures were published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for each geographical section of the state.  These are available in print at information centers along Route I 95 and by request at www.MYFWC.com.  Each brochure lists parks, nature centers, preserves, wetlands, and Wildlife Management Areas.  Birding Florida, a book by Brian Rapoza, describes 200 prime birding sites through Florida and features lists of resident birds and where to find them. 

Annually there are bird festivals at some of the key hotspots in the state.  Each provides opportunities to bird in the surrounding area with birding experts.  Usually festivals are scheduled from Fall to Spring in the north, central, southeast, and southwest of the state. 

FLORIDA BIRDING FESTIVALS

October 2010 -- Ding Darling Days (www.dingdarlingdays.com)

January  2011  -- Everglades Birding Festival featuring top expert Kevin Karlson, Co-author,Shorebird Guide (www.birdadventure.com).  Click here for the press release and click here for the registration form.

January  2011  -- Southwest Florida Nature Festival, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, Naples (www.rookerybay.org)

January 2011  -- Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival (Titusville) (www.nbbd.com/fly/index.html)  (321) 268-5224 or (800) 460-2664

March 2011 -- Big "O" Birding Festival (Moore Haven)
(www.bigobirdingfestival.com)  (863) 946-0300 April 2011 -- Chinsegut Nature Center Birding and Wildlife Festival (Brooksville) (352) 754-6722

April 2011 -- Florida's Birding and FotoFest (St. Augustine) (800) 653-2489 April 2011 -- Chinsegut Nature Center Birding and Wildlife Festival (Brooksville) (352) 754-6722

April 2011 -- Florida's Birding and FotoFest (St. Augustine) (800) 653-2489