Ponte Vedra Birding
Ponte Vedra Beach is perfect for sunbathing and beach walks, but the shoreline, sand dunes and marshes along maritime forests offer birders a delightful experience! Explore the natural areas and birding hot spots of Ponte Vedra.
Top Image: Jean Hull
With two easily accessible stops on the Great Florida Birding Trail and many other trails to explore, birders will have opportunities to check plenty of Florida birds off their list! Here are our top four recommendations.
Birding Guana Lake & River
For exceptional birding opportunities, visit the Guana River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The Purple, Red and Blue Trails within the GTM Reserve will loop onto the trail that leads to one of the highlights, Capo Creek and Guana Lake Towers.
Experience Guana Lake and Guana River
The birding opportunities are abundant with winding trails that take you from the marsh through oak scrub to pine flatwoods.
Beginning on the GTM Reserve’s trail system, meander through a dense oak forest that offers occasional views of the Tolomato River. Once you reach the Guana River WMA the ecosystem is vastly different with tall pines and it is the diversity of natural communities that make this place an excellent place for birders.
Capo Creek Tower is a highlight offering stunning views of the salt marsh along Capo Creek – a tidal creek feeding into the Tolomato River.
Guana Lake Tower’s views will not disappoint either offering birders a bird’s-eye view of the lake and all the birds that make it home.
These areas attract White Pelicans (January and February), Ospreys and Bald Eagles often fish at the lake. When water levels are low, Black-necked Stilts, Dowitchers and other shore birds can also be seen at the lake’s north end.
During April and October, this area is the best place in northeast Florida to see migrating Peregrine Falcons. Winter months bring more than 3,000 migratory ducks, American Coots and Pied-billed Grebes to Guana Lake.
In May through September, you’re likely to see Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, and White and Glossy Ibis at Big Savannah.
At a Glance Information for Birding the Guana Wildlife Management Area
- Fees/Permits: $3 day use fee, cash only paid at Guana Dam
- Points of Interest: South Point (south end of peninsula); Shell Point; Big Savannah Pond; Capo Tower; Lake Tower; Booths Pond
- Trail Blaze Colors: Trails are color coded in the GTM Reserve; trails aren't blazed in Guana River WMA but they are easy to follow
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Bug Factor: Moderate, bring bug spray
- Restrooms: at Guana Dam, Trailhead and Environmental Education Center
- Open: Daily from 8 AM to sunset
Spot the Eagle’s Nest!
A massive eagle nest in the treetops can be seen from the back deck of the GTM Environmental Education Center. To make viewing easier, when the nest is active, a…
Birding Nocatee Preserve
Nocatee’s nature-smart planning guarantees native wildlife residents a safe haven while visitors experience the wonders of nature in Ponte Vedra.
Explore the Trail
Nocatee Preserve’s 2,400-acres is suited for birding, hiking, photography and horseback riding.
The Nocatee community offers birders a sample of the natural “Old Florida” setting. With natural trails and wide boardwalks, the trail meanders through to the Intracoastal Waterway. The park offers plenty of parking and restrooms at the trailhead.
Bring your binoculars as most of the birds will be high in the trees. Sightings include Hawks, Owls, Woodpeckers, Waxwings, Warblers, Finches and much more. Further down the trail, the Intracoastal Waterway offers a feeding area for Herons, Egrets, Wood Storks, Cormorants and other wading birds and shorebirds. The abundance of birds in this area has made it a well-known hot spot for birders.
At a Glance Information for Birding the Nocatee Preserve
- Fees/Permits: Free
- Points of Interest: Nocatee Landing at the end of the trail, Intracoastal Waterway for wading birds and shorebirds
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Bug Factor: Moderate, challenging in the warmer months. Bring bug spray.
- Restrooms: at the Trailhead
- Open: Daily from sunrise to sunset
Birding Guana North Beach Overlook
With Atlantic views on one side and the Guana River on the other, this Ponte Vedra Beach location showcases a variety of birds in two very different habitats.
Experience GTM North Beach Overlook
This location recognizes the only surviving navigational reading of Ponce de Leon’s “Journey of Discovery,” taken the day prior to landing on April 3, 1513, when he claimed La Florida…
The GTM North Beach Overlook offers birders a semi-private, natural environment to search for shorebirds. Park in the North Beach Parking Lot ($3 day use fee, cash only), and use the crosswalk to make your way to the boardwalk leading across natural dunes to the beach.
Shorebirds such as Ruddy Turnstones, Red Knots, Black-bellied Plovers, Royal Terns, Gulls and more can be found along the natural dune line and searching for food near the water. Look to the sky for an occasional falcon or osprey.
Local Tip: Climb to the highest platform and look west for spectacular views of the Guana River.
At a Glance Information for Guana North Beach Overlook
- Fees/Permits: $3 day use fee, cash only
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: port-a-lets on site
- Open: Daily from 8 AM to sunset
Birding Bird Island Park
Bird Island Park is a relatively small, passive park that replicates a variety of habitats including freshwater marsh, upland hammock, coastal dune, and bird rookery.
Experience Bird Island Park
Mosaics that depict Northeast Florida's wildlife are featured throughout the park.
Bird Island Park features a gazebo for relaxing with a winding trail that leads visitors past water features and through a native hammock. Educational signage and interactive art sculptures are scattered throughout the park.
Wildlife sightings include Egrets, Anhinga, Ibis, ducks, and turtles as well as Warblers, Cardinals, Waxwings, Thrushes and many other hammock species. Because of the variety of habitats, Bird Island is a well-known hot spot to see a variety of species.
At a Glance Information for Birding Bird Island Park
- Fees/Permits: Free
- Points of Interest: the boardwalk that surrounds a second gazebo offers viewings of wading birds, the native plantings are great for native butterflies
- Difficulty: Easy
- Restrooms: at the public library during open hours, stores and restaurants are nearby
- Open: Daily from dawn to dusk
Tips on How to be a Sustainable Ponte Vedra Beach Guest
- Stay on track. Staying on designated trails to trampling on sensitive plants and animals.
- Share the trail. Keep your eyes open for other cyclists, hikers, dog walkers and horseback riders.
- Keep it natural. By packing out what you bring in you’ll help keep the “natural” in our “natural areas.”
- Don’t feed wildlife. Feeding birds and other wildlife conditions them to handouts and eventually they will lose their fear of people and/or vehicles.
- Stay chemical free. Stick to sunscreens that are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, two of the most common ingredients found in chemical formulas.
- Education is key. Stop by the GTM Environmental Education Center to better understand these unique ecosystems.
Things to Do Nearby:
- Hungry? Grab lunch on the river at Aunt Kate's Restaurant. Enjoy Minorcan clam chowder, fried shrimp and all your favorite comfort foods. Go for dinner and watch the sunset over the intracoastal.
- Go birding on the water with Florida Water Tours.
- Take a scenic road trip along A1A Scenic & Historic Byway - recently designated an All-American Road.
- Watch live music during Evenings on Airstream Row held the 2nd Friday of the month.
- Set Sail on the High Seas on a luxury yacht with St. Augustine Sailing.
- Pedal it out with Old Town Cycle Cruise. This 35-ft party pontoon offers BYOB cruises with 12 cycle stations and a lounge area.
- Recent recipient of the USA Today, Reader’s Choice 10Best award for “Best Boat Tour," Red Boat Tours offers sightseeing tours and sunset cruises.
More Ponte Vedra Adventures
