[GirlDreamer]

Hi! I'm wanting to surprise my boyfriend and hope some of you can help me out. We're coming over to Orlando in september to spend 14 days on vacation there. My boyfriend loves birdwatching and I thought it would be nice to surprise him with a day out to do exactly that. There's only one problem, I'm so clueless when it comes to this. So if anyone has any advice for me I would appreciate it a lot. I know I would have to try and sneak along his binoculars, but would I need to bring anything else?

From a quick google search it seems like this place is a good place for birdwatchers: http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/Index.html

Would you agree, or is there somewhere else you would recommend? That is in driving distance from Orlando that is.

EDIT: Sorry there's a typo in the title, but I can't change it...

[lmans66]

I have done that same thing from Orlando during a conference....it is a short drive away and easy to find. You can spend the night over there in a hotel (easy to find) and bird away. Great birding, you will love it... great gift too, jim

[dantheman]

Of course you may find that he was planning on surprising you with 14 days of birdwatching whilst you were out there ...

[GirlDreamer]

Originally Posted by lmans66

I have done that same thing from Orlando during a conference....it is a short drive away and easy to find. You can spend the night over there in a hotel (easy to find) and bird away. Great birding, you will love it... great gift too, jim

That sounds great :) If I choose to go there, would I just drive and park at the visitor centre then and go from there?

[hampers]

I did Merritt some years ago and its ideal for a days trip. Good information available, if I remember there was a Visitor Centre for current info. Remember osprey's on post at side of the road and many places to just walk and birdwatch.

Phil

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Originally Posted by dantheman

Of course you may find that he was planning on surprising you with 14 days of birdwatching whilst you were out there ...

Is this your girlfriend then Dan?

[DMW]

Originally Posted by dantheman

Of course you may find that he was planning on surprising you with 14 days of birdwatching whilst you were out there ...

LOL!

[dantheman]

Originally Posted by Andrew Whitehouse

Is this your girlfriend then Dan?

That would be a bit mean, would never do anything like that ...

(Seriously, I'd at least let her know a few days beforehand)

[Ivy P]

Bok Tower Gardens near Orlando is a nice spot for birds too. It has stunning gardens. My husband wanted to see the carillon there in the tower. While we there I saw painted buntings, mockingbirds, tufted titmice, woodpeckers and many other birds.

[Andy Wraithmell]

Originally Posted by GirlDreamer

Hi! I'm wanting to surprise my boyfriend and hope some of you can help me out. We're coming over to Orlando in september to spend 14 days on vacation there. My boyfriend loves birdwatching and I thought it would be nice to surprise him with a day out to do exactly that. There's only one problem, I'm so clueless when it comes to this. So if anyone has any advice for me I would appreciate it a lot. I know I would have to try and sneak along his binoculars, but would I need to bring anything else?

From a quick google search it seems like this place is a good place for birdwatchers: http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/Index.html

Would you agree, or is there somewhere else you would recommend? That is in driving distance from Orlando that is.

EDIT: Sorry there's a typo in the title, but I can't change it...

Only one place to go and that is Merrit Island NWR, recently voted as Florida's favorite birding destination. The refuge is about an hour to 90 minutes from Orlando, easy drive really.
The Blackpoint Wildlife Drive is phenomenal. It's a 7+mile driving trail with lay bys along the way to stop and enjoy all kinds of wildlife not just birds. The visitor center has great birding, there is a Manatee viewing deck. You'll BOTH have an awesome day there. Here is some further information. If you want more just message me and I'll help as much as I can, after all it's my job! I work for the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail and visit Merritt Island several times a year. Anyway here are some links.

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/Drive.html

Visitor Center

http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/VIC.html

Manatee Observation Tower

http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/Manatee.html

The visitor center has binoculars available for loan (free) if you don't want to sneak his in the suitcase!