Wednesday Bird Walks at the Wetlands

Our Wednesday bird walks at Sweetwater Wetlands Park are offered each Wednesday morning
beginning at 8:30 am from September 1st through the end of May.
SWP birders 2
Field trip on the boardwalk at Sweetwater Wetlands Park. Photo by Trina Anderson, 24 Feb 2016.

Discover the rich diversity of birds at one of north central Florida’s premier birding hotspots during a 2-3-hour guided walking tour. Join us to see why Sweetwater Wetlands Park is the most popular birding destination in the Gainesville area.

Walks are free with park admission fee ($5/vehicle) and are offered every Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m., from September 1st though the end of May. Loaner binoculars are available. 

  • Expect a wide variety of birds, from wetland species like Purple Gallinule and Limpkin to forest and grassland birds in the cypress domes and open prairie within the park’s diverse habitats. Rare birds are often recorded at this location, especially during the Fall/Winter/Spring months. Fall bird migration is in full swing in September and October, bringing unusual and rarely seen visitors through our area.
  • Birders of all levels are welcome. We meet at the entrance pavilion next to the parking lot at 8:30 a.m.
  • Bird walks are led by volunteers from Alachua Audubon Society, with assistance from Sweetwater Wetlands Park rangers.
  • Suggested items to bring: hat, water, sunscreen, binoculars, and walking shoes.

See the Sweetwater Wetlands section of Alachua County’s Best Birding Sites.

Sweetwater Wetlands Park is located at 325 SE Williston Road in Gainesville.