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© Rebecca Smith

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

28.66917 , -81.55924

United States of America (USA)

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Rebecca Smith : 28.6692/-81.5592 (2024-03-31 17:28:40 )

Site name was set by Rebecca Smith as "Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive" (2024-03-31 17:28:40 )

Not available yet

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)
Gray-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus)

Gray-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) was added by Rebecca Smith (2024-03-31 17:47:04)

Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) was added by Rebecca Smith (2024-03-31 17:46:45)

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) was added by Rebecca Smith (2024-03-31 17:46:28)

  • Timing and strategy

January through April are the best months out of the year to visit Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. There are many wintering ducks and other water birds not seen during the summer months. If you plan to drive, St John's water management district only allows vehicles on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Be sure to arrive early, as the drive gets very crowded. I prefer going during the week and hike a mile or so out and back to avoid the weekend crowds. It is an 11-mile one-way drive. So once you enter the gate, you're committed to finishing on the Lake county side of the lake.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Rebecca Smith on 2024-03-31 17:47
January through April are the best months out of the year to visit Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. There are many wintering ducks and other water birds not seen during the summer months. If you plan to drive, St John's water management district only allows vehicles on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Be sure to arrive early, as the drive gets very crowded. I prefer going during the week and hiking a hike a mile or so out and back to avoid the weekend crowds. It is an 11-mile one-way drive. So once you enter the gate, you're committed to finishing on the Lake county side of the lake.
Edited by Rebecca Smith on 2024-03-31 17:34
January through April are the best months out of the year to visit Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. There are many wintering ducks and other water birds not seen during the summer months. If you plan to drive, St John's water management district only allows vehicles on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Be sure to arrive early, as the drive gets very crowded. I prefer going during the week and hiking a mile or so out and back to avoid the weekend crowds.  It is an 11-mile one-way drive. So once you enter the gate, you're committed to finishing on the Lake county side of the lake.
Edited by Rebecca Smith on 2024-03-31 17:32
January through April are the best months out of the year to visit Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. There are many wintering ducks and other water birds not seen during the summer months. If you plan to drive, St John's water management district only allows vehicles on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Be sure to arrive early, as the drive gets very crowded. I prefer going during the week and hiking a mile or so out and back to avoid the weekend crowds. 
  • How to get there

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Not available yet

The gate closes at 3pm and no traffic arriving later will be allowed access. 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Rebecca Smith on 2024-03-31 17:33
The gate closes at 3pm and no traffic arriving later will be allowed access. 
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

There are plenty of information kiosks and a self guided audio tour. There are portable restrooms at 3 areas along the wildlife drive. Occasionally there is a volunteer present at the entrance to provide people with information on where to see certain species.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Rebecca Smith on 2024-03-31 17:36
There are plenty of information kiosks and a self guided audio tour. There are portable restrooms at 3 areas along the wildlife drive. Occasionally there is a volunteer present at the entrance to provide people with information on where to see certain species.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Contributors

Rebecca Smith

Local guides

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Reports

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Species:
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Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive - Orniverse