Bok Tower Gardens > Central Florida Bird Watching and Photography

Central Florida Bird Watching and Photography

Bok Tower Gardens is an oasis to the 126 species of birds that can be seen here throughout the year. As you explore the landscape gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and the natural Florida scrub habitat of the Pine Ridge Nature Preserve you’ll often find a wide variety of beautiful birds including the Snowy Egret, Eastern Screech Owl, Bald Eagle and Wood Duck. Our distinct and diverse habitats attract many native and migrating birds to the Gardens.

Beginner Bird Watching Advice

1. In Florida, birds tend to be most active in the earliest parts of the morning.
2. To learn the different species of birds quickly, study families of birds first.
3. Settle into a comfortable spot and stay still to allow birds to relax when they come near you.
4. Bird watch with a companion. When you see a bird, describe its features to them to allow them to search through the bird guide.
5. Take notes of when you saw and identified a bird.

Bird Photography Advice

1. Patience is a must with bird photography. That’s part of the fun of it all!
2. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best time to photograph wildlife.
3. When shooting with a SLR camera a lens with a 300mm zoom range is recommended.
4. Keep an eye out both above and below for different types of birds and other wildlife.

Download the Bok Tower Gardens bird checklist.