Adjacent Birding in Kissimmee, Florida

When you add on birding activity to a trip meant for something else I like to call this, Adjacent Birding. Many birders do this in one way or another, but I think it deserves a term, which I’m happy to coin. For instance, if you’re accompanying your family at one of the large and popular theme parks in Central Florida, you might bring your binoculars because, of course, there will be birds! Or maybe you’re in the area for business or attending a trade show at one of the big convention centers there and you add an extra day or two to get in some birding. The Great Florida Birding Trail, which spans over 800 miles across the state crosses right through Central Florida, offers considerable birding, wildlife and nature opportunities you can’t get at a theme park. And you’ll certainly need it after days of meetings and dinner appointments or just to get away from crowds.

Earlier this Spring, I visited Kissimmee, Florida, located in the heart of the Great Florida Birding Trail and discovered some hidden treasures I wished I had known about when I used to visit Central Florida for work. Here’s what you’ll want to add to your itinerary for some Adjacent Birding when you’re in the area.

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Kissimmee Lakefront Park

Paved paths allow you to leisurely stroll this park that straddles the northern shore of Lake Tohopekaliga. Upon arrival I found a Bald Eagle perched on a post in the water.  Osceola County hosts the largest concentration of nesting bald eagles in the contiguous 48 states, concentrated around the Kissimmee chain of lakes, so finding one is easy. Limpkins, Herons and Common Gallinules were aplenty. A Red-winged Blackbird sang its raspy song on top of a light pole.

Who is this for? This is a perfect place for a birder to unwind after a day of meetings at the convention center or if you want to tap out of the theme park for the day. Or maybe just to get away from the family. No judging here.

Address: 201 Lakeview Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Website: City of Kissimmee and also Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Admission: Free

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Bok Tower Gardens

In nearby Lake Wales, I was thrilled to discover Bok Tower Gardens. Give me a thoughtfully manicured garden and I will wander for hours. The gardens include both paved pathways and mulched secondary paths, and I found bird feeders in several spots, drawing in songbirds. (Right before I arrived at one, a couple of birders said a Painted Bunting visited the feeder.) Benches are found along the pathways and near the feeders, which always makes me happy.

Who is this for? This is a great spot to bring a companion who isn’t a birder but enjoys gardens. The gardens were designed by  landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, making a visit both tranquil and contemplative. Be sure to visit the Blue Palmetto Cafe for a tasty lunch.

Address: 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
Website: Bok Tower Gardens
Admission: Adults $17, Children (ages 5-12) $5, children under 5 are free, Dogs are $5.

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The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve

If you’re looking for Florida specialty birds, The Nature Conservancy Disney Wilderness Preserve should be on your list. The 11,500-acre property with its longleaf pine forests is owned, protected and managed by The Nature Conservancy and is home to the much-sought-after Bachman’s Sparrow, Florida Scrub Jay and Red-cockaded Woodpecker. In particular, the preserve has been an important part of helping the woodpecker, which has been listed as endangered since 1970. The birds were nearly extinct until conservation efforts helped re-establish breeding pairs in parts of their historic range, which includes old-growth pine forests. The preserve was invited by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2007 to join the red-cockaded woodpecker translocation program and now ten pairs of the woodpeckers reside at Disney Wilderness Preserve.

You’ll be hiking in open areas with lots of sun, so be prepared with a hat, sunscreen and carry bottles of water with you. Try to plan your hike earlier in the day, but note: the hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m and is closed most major holidays.

Who is this for? The birder looking for rare, specialty birds and who is willing to take the time to hike deeper into the preserve to find them.

Address: 2700 Scrub Jay Trail, Kissimmee, FL 34759
Website: Disney Wilderness Preserve
Admission: Free, though donations encouraged.

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Wild Florida

If Snail Kites are on your list of birds to find, I recommend the Airboat tour with Wild Florida. Airboats are very loud (ear coverings provided, which also help keep your hat on when worn over your hat), but an effective way of seeing a variety of birds as long as whoever is operating the boat is respectable of both the wildlife and the habitat. Our driver was, and I saw a variety of bird life, including Snail Kites and Bald Eagles. Our driver was excited to point out the Purple Swamp Hen, which was a lifer for me. They’re an Old World species, but it’s likely their ancestors were released or escaped from an aviary some time ago, so now there’s a ferrel population of them in the area.

Who is this for? Birders who want to see Snail Kites and Purple Swamp Hen will enjoy this tour as well as anyone who likes the thrill of airboats and getting looks at alligators.

Address: 3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739
Website: Wild Florida
Admission: Airboat tours vary from $35 (adult) for 30 minutes up to $85 (adult) for private one-hour night tour; See website for other wildlife tours and rates.

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Toho Riverboat Adventures – Goat Island Tour

Another tour that will garner you some Snail Kites is the Goat Island Tour by Toho Riverboat Adventures. This family-operated boat tour company is headed by Captain Stitch who is often at the helm with his puns and “dad jokes.” There’s a fold-out bird list aboard and a binder full of details of the various wildlife you’ll find on the tour. We spotted numerous Snail Kites along the edges of the narrow neck of the lake and they seemed unbothered by our presence. Other birds you’ll likely find on this tour include Swallow-tailed Kites, all the usual suspects in the heron family (Little Blue, Great Egret, Tri-colored, Great Blue, Snowy Egret and Cattle Egret). The main attraction, though, is Goat Island, a small patch of land in the lake where a pack of Nigerian Dwarf Goats reside. As we approached the island the goats heard the call from the Captain and the goats came running to greet us. While ashore, the crew opened the back door and the goats came ready and eager to be fed. You can hand-feed the goats (while staying aboard) with some kibble and sometimes the goats will try to come aboard, but with a little gentle scolding from the crew, the goats back away. They are harmless and adorable.

Who is this for? This is for the birder who has family they also need to entertain. It’s a great way to sneak in birding while giving kids and non-birders a memorable experience.

Address: 1402 Lakeshore Blvd, St Cloud, FL 34769
Website: Toho Riverboat Adventures
Admission: Adults $35, Children: $20 (free for children under two years old)

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For more information, visit the Kissimmee Birding Club site and download their app that has more ideas of places to explore with incentives and discounts. The recently-launched app helps birders discover places in the area and also encourages those with little to no experience birding, to discover more about birds and wildlife in the area. While some of the venues, at first glance, might not align with typical birding excursions, it contains a treasure trove of venues and places that can help you sway those in your travel party to get a taste of the wonder and excitement of finding and observing birds.

Disclosure: I visited Kissimmee, Florida and the organizations above as a guest of Experience Kissimmee Florida.