Migrate over to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Spoonies and Herons and Egrets, oh my!
Photographers visiting the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park are astounded by the vast number of photographic opportunities provided by the hundreds of nesting wading birds. As a member of the Great Florida Birding Trail, this accredited zoo has been selected for its excellent bird watching and bird education opportunities.
In the mid 1970’ s the Alligator Farm expanded its Native Swamp exhibit and inadvertently developed an outstanding natural bird rookery. A winding boardwalk allows for the rare opportunity to view wild nesting birds at extremely close distances, at times literally within arm’ s reach. Since the swamp was expanded, it has grown to become one of the most accessible natural bird rookeries in Florida.
The two-acre exhibit is home not only to American alligators, American crocodiles and native turtles, but many different species of wading birds. Twelve species frequent the swamp, with eight of those nesting and producing young. Great egrets, Roseate spoonbills, and the endangered Wood stork are the first to arrive, followed by Snowy egrets, Tri-colored and Little Blue herons, and lastly, the Cattle egrets. Green herons choose nesting spots deep within the trees in the Land of Crocodiles. The nesting season begins in late February and lasts
28 through July. During the peak season in May, birds can be photographed in all stages of nesting: displaying, incubating, and the raising of their young.
Along with the collection of valuable migratory bird data and the admiration by the staff and visitors of these spectacular wading birds, the Alligator Farm also participates in supporting conservation programs. Among our favorites are the USFW Wood Stork Recovery Program and Audubon of Florida’ s Roseate Spoonbill Banding Project.
Photo Pass memberships can be purchased online or at the door for $ 89.95. This zoo membership provides unlimited access for one year, early entry into the park before general guest admission, and the ability to enter our annual photo contest!
See you on the boardwalk!
Good Morning Gators!*
Meeting Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd. Difficulty Level: Undemanding
SATURDAY 6 TO 8 AM
Price: $ 40 | Max. No. of People: 40 Enjoy a spectacular morning in the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park’ s Native Bird Rookery! You’ ll see native Herons, Egrets, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills and American Wood Storks – with hundreds of alligators swimming beneath the oak branches. Get incredibly intimate views of both Florida’ s magnificent wading birds on their nests and gorgeous sunrise. * NO PHOTO PASS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT. This is a self-guided, early access event. No instruction provided.
List of event and field trip locations with addresses or GPS coordinates
• Anastasia State Park, 200 Anastasia Park Rd.
• Castillo de San Marcos, 1 S. Castillo Dr.
• Downtown Square( Gazebo), 24 Catherdral Pl.
• Frank B. Butler Park, 5860 A1A South
• GTM Research Reserve- Festival Headquarters, Classrooms, Registration, Vendors & Exhibitors Hall, Trailhead Pavilion and Guana Dam, 505 Guana River Rd.. Ponte Vedra Beach
• Magic Beach Motel, 50 Vilano Rd.
• Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez
• Pioneer Barn, 259 San Marco Ave.( Opening Reception on Wednesday & Keynote Address on Friday)
• River to Sea Preserve Park, Approximately. 5 miles south of Marineland on A1A.( GPS coordinates: 29 ° 39’ 43.03’ N- 81 ° 12’ 38.19W)
• Ripple Effect Ecotours, 101 Tolstoy Lane
• St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd.(** see note on Alligator Farm photo passes and policies)
• St. Augustine Lighthouse, 81 Lighthouse Ave.
• St. Johns County Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd.
PLEASE REFER TO THE LOCAL AND REGIONAL MAPS ON PAGES 34 & 35 TO LOCATE THESE ADDRESSES