Field Trip Guidelines: Field trips are open to anyone interested in birding. Non-members are welcome.  All trips are free unless the locale has an entrance fee or a charge for parking. We recommend sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen, and water or other suitable beverages. Please reserve your spot as indicated below so that you are informed of any change in plan.

Weekiwachee Preserve

January 25, 2025

Make reservations here.

For more information, contact Joe: naturecoastjoe@aol.com or 813-468-0870.

Meet at the entrance gate one mile west of U. S. 19 on Osowaw Blvd., north side of the road.  We will walk about two miles on trails discussing the amazing success story of the preserve as well as challenges it faces, wildlife of the preserve, and the birds we hope to see.  After that we will drive to the end of the road into the preserve to look for water birds.  

When a limerock mine closed in coastal Hernando County, the area now known as Weekiwachee Preserve was slated to become a housing development. After a large public outcry in opposition, Southwest Florida Water Management District began purchasing the property in 1993. Subsequent acquisitions have increased the size to 11,206 acres. The main section of this property is a mix of xeric scrub, sandhill, and pine flatwood communities surrounding several deep lakes that were dug during limerock mining.

After the property was opened for public access, 260 species of birds have been sighted on the preserve, as well as 74 species of butterflies, in addition to larger animals such as black bear, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and rabbits, as well as gopher tortoises, a variety of snakes and other critters. Recent bird rarities include the third state record of a Hooded Oriole seen by scores of birders in December 2019. You can learn more about the preserve by clicking here: https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/weekiwachee-preserve