10/13 Hurricane Milton Update: The campground will reopen Monday, October 14 for RVs and limited tenting. Much of the primitive camping areas remain very muddy or underwater. The river is forecast to crest tomorrow and begin receding this week. Stay tuned for updates here!

 

Hundreds of species of birds and wildlife call Fisheating Creek home. How many can you spot?

 

Swallow-tailed Kite. Photo Credit: Andy Tomlin

birding

Fisheating Creek is an important staging area for swallow-tailed kites before their migration to South America in August. In April and May they nest and raise young all along the Creek. The communal roosting area in the vicinity of Cowbone Marsh may at times be used by half of the U.S. population of swallow-tailed kites.

Crested caracara and Florida sandhill cranes may be seen on the prairies, depression marshes and unimproved pasture on adjacent conservation easement land.

Check out other species recorded at Fisheating Creek WMA, or add observations of your own, by visiting the Fisheating Creek WMA Nature Trackers project.

Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail

Go birding – watch eagles, crested caracaras, Florida scrub-jays, wild turkey, woodpeckers and more! 

Fisheating Creek is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. 

Wading birds of all types — ibis, herons, egrets, wood storks, roseate spoonbills — as well as hawks, osprey and owls are common. Several bald eagle nests are located in the area. Warblers are abundant during fall and spring migrations.

American Alligator. Photo Credit: Andy Tomlin

Wildlife

Fisheating Creek is an area abundant with wildlife. Wildlife along the Creek include whitetail deer, turtles, wild hogs, black bear, otter and some of the biggest alligators you’ll ever see. Florida panthers have also been spotted.