Everglades National Park

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Overview

Lucky Hammock. Officially the Frog Pond WMA, local birders call the area "Lucky Hammock" because of the good fortune we have had birding there.

Birds

Notable Species

Everglades National Park is one of the best winter birding locations in the United States. Over 20 species of warbler are regularly reported during the winter season. Add in the waders, shorebirds, flycatchers and others, and you've got a great birding location. To get to the main portion of the park, follow the Turnpike to the end at Florida City. Take an immediate right on SR-9336 (344th Street, Palm Drive). Follow the signs to the park. It is nearly 9 miles to the entrance. You will pass the Coe Visitor's Center (it is on the right) before reaching the entrance gate.

Royal Palm (Anhinga Trail, Gumbo Limbo Trail, and the adjacent parking lot), is the first stop. The Anhinga Trail, best at dawn and dusk, provides an opportunity to approach waders closely for photography and observation. Double-crested Cormorant, Anhinga, Wood Stork, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Snowy Egret, and Purple Gallinule are just some of the waders you will see. American Bittern is also common, as are Red-shouldered Hawk and Snail Kite flying over head. Watch for American Alligator, Florida Softshell, American Coot, and Redbellied Turtle. The water is very clear, and you will be able to observe Gar, Largemouth Bass, and the exotic Cichlid fish.

Next is the Gumbo Limbo Trail, which is good for wintering warblers. Gray Catbird and Northern Cardinal are seen year round. I have also seen White-crowned Pigeon in the winter here.

Paurotis Pond is a good stop, bring your scope. Look across the lake to a large rookery, where Wood storks and other waders breed in the late winter and early spring. Good spot for Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork. I have seen dark morph Short-tailed Hawk here.

Mahogany Hammock is good for warblers and Barred Owl. The road to the hammock is good for waders, and watch for raptors- Bald Eagle and Northern Harrier are common.

Mrazek Pond hosts wintering waterfowl, such as Blue-winged Teal and Green-winged Teal, grebes, and others. Year round waders are common, including Wood Stork. Alligator call this pond home as well.

Flamingo Visitors Center .When exposed, the sand bar has shorebirds and larids, and the occasional Greater Flamingo! Osprey nest around the marina and in the parking lot trees in the winter. Five active nests can be seen within sight of each other at times. Check the marina for waders, pelican, gulls, and terns. Bald Eagles also roost in the mangroves. Just past the boat lift, look on the shore for basking American Crocodile.

Eco Pond is the last stop before the campsite. The observation platform is a great way to see wading birds, such as white and glossy ibis, little blue heron, grebes, as well as alligators. Rarities such as Antillean Nighthawk, Painted Bunting, Ani, Pintail, and Lazuli Bunting have been reported from the area. As you walk around the pond, watch and listen for King Rail, wintering songbirds, American Bittern, and look out for rattlesnakes and marsh rabbit. Alligator are common, as are American Coot, Purple Gallinule, and Common Moorhen.

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

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Other Wildlife

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Site Information

History and Use

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Areas of Interest

Check the fields. When you are done there, head further south to the for the Southern Glades WEA, which marks the end of Frog Pond WMA. It is great for raptors, such as Mississippi Kite, Bald Eagle, Short-tailed Hawk, and Harrier. You never know what you will find, so every trip is an adventure.

Access and Facilities

From the end of the Turnpike at Florida City, take SR-9336 toward the main entrance of Everglades National Park (follow the Everglades signs). From Krome Avenue, it is 8 miles to Aerojet Road. Aerojet Road is about 1/2 mile before the park boundary and 1/2 mile past the C-111 canal. There is a big sign for the Southern Glades Youth Camp. Turn left (south) on Aerojet Road. Lucky Hammock is about 1/4 mile on the right. Bird the hammock and the shrubby area across the street.

Contact Details

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External Links

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Content and images originally posted by Steve

Reviews

janine13's review

• Miami birding sites are included in another location. These sites are much farther south. Hope there is no confusion.

Pros

• Excellent viewing of many birds. In winter months can see 100+ species easily in a day.

Cons

• Bring plenty of mosquito repellent and drinking water if visiting in summer months. Very hot and buggy.

Limeybirder's review

In winter over 20 spp. of wood-warbler have been recorded in the park. Great views of American Crocodiles at Flamingo Marina as well as Manatees. Eco Pond, Snake Bight Trail and Gumbo Lingo Trail are my favourite sites within the park.

Pros

• Quite simply a must place to visit
• simply awesome
• great trails
• lots of diversity
• cheap campsite

Cons

• mosquito's are horrendous between April and November especially after rain. January is the best motnh to visit.

bobsofpa's review

The write up and reviews have omitted one of the best birding spots in Everglades NP and that is Shark Valley. It is accessible only by walking, bike or tram. However, the best birding is on the west side of the loop road within 2 miles of the entrance.

The Long Pine Key Campground is a great place for birds. I had a parade of birds (cardinals, eastern towhees, catbirds, northern mockingbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, various warblers and a red-shouldered hawk) that all visited my campsite and posed for photographs.

Note, the "zero" cost is because I have a Golden Age Passport which is the best bargain the federal government has ever provided.