Wildlife and birding in Florida questions

[Uroplatus]

Hi all, we are travelling out to Orlando in 14 days (eek!) and I wanted to ask about wildlife and birding out there.

I have only been to Orlando once before when my kids were young so didn't really get a chance to explore the preserves properly. Now they're older I want to get us away from the parks for a few days and back to nature. At home I am a full time ecologist and keen birder so am wanting to know which areas are best for spotting wildlife in the wild (not zoos). As priority I would love to see manatees, black bear (unlikely I know), gators, bald Eagle, sandhill cranes, and bats (an odd one but I love bats!), anything else is a bonus. If anyone has any suggestions as to where to go within 2.5 hours of Orlando please let me know

Thanks in advance!

[Tetrarch]

I'm assuming you have a car as you said within 2.5 hours. Well within that limit I would highly recommend the Lake Apopka North Shore wildlife drive, open Friday-Sunday and completely free. I'll try and find a few photos which I took with a not very good phone camera to give you an idea.

sjrwmd/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/

Nearby Mount Dora is also worth a visit.

Debra

[SmellyDelly]

I have no suggestions but I wanted to ask you to please share any photos you get!

[Norah22]

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is just over an hours drive away
fws.gov/refuge/merritt-island

We went a few years ago and saw lots of manatees, gators, bald eagles and other wildlife. You can also see lots of wildlife around Disney, one year we were stood watching an osprey for ages by the Boardwalk, cast members were walking by asking what we were looking and and shrugging, I think its like seeing a blackbird to us, nice but common. There are also deers on the long drive up to MK that you can sometimes see on the verges. Have seen bats when waiting for Fantasmic to start too.

[grant_w]

You get Sandhill Cranes outside the villa we stayed in Sunset Lakes.

I know you don't want to go to zoos to see these, but at Gatorland they have a huge nesting area for wild birds, and I believe they do a birdwatching pass.

[Tetrarch]

[DonnaD]

The Lake Apoka drive is definitely great for guaranteed gator sightings. There are a few places to park and get out as well.

Black bears are spotted in neighborhoods like Emerald Island occasionally but I haven't heard of any where you can actively look for them.

Sandhill cranes turn up walking around where you least expect them like parking lots!

[canaveralcath]

polknature/explore/circle-b-bar-reserve

Brilliant for flocks of roseate spoonbills as well as alligators


floridastateparks/pa...ver-state-park

Just within your 2hrs/30 mins range. The Canopy Walk is a must if you don't mind heights.

[Lola]

Ding Darling reserve on Captiva is good but could be too far from Orlando

[Uroplatus]

Originally Posted by Tetrarch

I'm assuming you have a car as you said within 2.5 hours. Well within that limit I would highly recommend the Lake Apopka North Shore wildlife drive, open Friday-Sunday and completely free. I'll try and find a few photos which I took with a not very good phone camera to give you an idea.

sjrwmd/lands/recreation/lake-apopka/

Nearby Mount Dora is also worth a visit.

Debra

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Thank you Yes we will have a car.
Brilliant, we will defintiely head to Lake Apopka wildlife drive then I've not heard of Mount Dora, I'll check it out too