Half-Day Private Bird Tour of Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg - 2 person max

5.0 (4 reviews) 5 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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4 reviews

5.0

American Oystercatcher — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Nanday Parakeet — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Fort De Soto Park has a unique location on the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the top birding sites in the state of Florida. It's especially diverse in the months of April and October for spring and fall migration. This patch of land is the first area birds will arrive at as they make their migratory flight across the gulf. Not only will you see shorebirds, wading birds, and resident songbird species, but you'll see neotropical migrants and they pass through our state on their way to/from the Caribbean and Central America. As for the rest of the year, you can count on ducks and loons if you book your tour in the winter months and breeding bird species in the summer. This area is also known for rare species and vagrants that pass through Florida. Photographers will love the morning lighting on the beach as small shorebirds forage in the rack line.

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At a glance

Duration: 5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–2
Guide: English
Operated by: Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Tours

Ages: Children (5–17 years) · Adults (18–92 years)

What is included

Included

Included: We'll provide you with a shared ebird checklist of the bird species seen on your tour.
Included: Bottled water: We provide both still and sparkling drinking water on our tours
Included: We provide water and light snacks on our tours such as granola/power bars, chips, and nuts.

Not included

Not included: Phila Deli offers great food options including vegetarian/vegan, but lunch prices are not included.

Itinerary

Fort De Soto Park

5 hours Admission included

We'll be taking a 5-hour birding tour of Fort De Soto Park. We'll drive to each stop within the park then get out and hike around in different habitats including forest, beach, and grass picnic area. There is also a paved area around the fort itself. Starting with the north shore beach at sunrise, we should see plenty of shorebirds ie Piping Plover, Snowy Plover, American Oystercatcher, Reddish Egret, and Marbled Godwit to name a few.

We'll then move on to the fort area itself to check the beach for Common Loon, Whimbrel, and Red-breasted Merganser. The forested area adjacent to the fort is a hotspot for migratory songbirds, especially warblers.

The rangers house and hiking trail usually boasts the best songbirds in the park. We'll stop here and look for Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, warblers, buntings, and vireos that are attracted to the fresh water fountains and Mulberry trees.

We'll finish up with a stop at the East Beach to view the Nanday Parakeets.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

When you pull into the parking lot, make a right and look for the orange Honda Element parked as far away from the building as possible. We'll meet outside the park to avoid the entry fee on 2 vehicles.

End point

When you pull into the parking lot, make a right and look for the orange Honda Element parked as far away from the building as possible. We'll meet outside the park to avoid the entry fee on 2 vehicles.