Clearwater Lake Recreation

28.97875 , -81.55288

United States of America (USA)

Many birders have gotten lifers at the Paisley woods bike trail- part of the Ocala National Forest. When you begin your hike early in the morning, it's not uncommon to have 10 or more species singing right there in the parking lot next to the Florida trail kiosk. This is a sand pinehills habitat, perfect for the threatened Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Actualy, every species of woodpecker found in the state of Florida can be found on this tract. There are stages of Long-leaf Pine from completely dead with no bark all the way up to 60+ year live trees and everything in between. Each woodpecker prefers a different tree and they each occupy their own ecological niche. Each section has a prescribed burn every 3-5 years. 

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 Anthony : 28.9788/-81.5529 (2025-05-01 18:00:50 )

Site name was set by Rebecca Anthony as "Clearwater Lake Recreation" (2025-05-01 18:00:50 )

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2025-05-01 18:07:22
Many birders have gotten lifers at the Paisley woods bike trail- part of the Ocala National Forest. When you begin your hike early in the morning, it's not uncommon to have 10 or more species singing right there in the parking lot next to the Florida trail kiosk. This is a sand pinehills habitat, perfect for the threatened Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Actualy, every species of woodpecker found in the state of Florida can be found on this tract. There are stages of Long-leaf Pine from completely dead with no bark all the way up to 60+ year live trees and everything in between. Each woodpecker prefers a different tree and they each occupy their own ecological niche. Each section has a prescribed burn every 3-5 years. 
  • 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)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis)
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)
Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis)

Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2025-05-01 18:19:27)

Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2025-05-01 18:19:14)

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2025-05-01 18:18:49)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2025-05-01 18:18:38)

Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2025-05-01 18:17:50)

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2025-05-01 18:17:12)

  • Timing and strategy

Most species are resident and will be there year-round. Northern Bobwhite, Bachman's Sparrow, and Summer Tanager sing in the late spring/summer months. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Blue-headed Vireo is here in the winter. The best time of day to go is first thing in the morning. It is a 3-mile round trip hike to get to where the birds will be. 

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 Anthony on 2025-05-01 18:18
Most species are resident and will be there year-round. Northern Bobwhite, Bachman's Sparrow, and Summer Tanager sing in the late spring/summer months. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Blue-headed Vireo is here in the winter. The best time of day to go is first thing in the morning. It is a 3-mile round trip hike to get to where the birds will be. 
Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2025-05-01 18:09
Most species are resident and will be there year-round. Northern Bobwhite, Bachman's Sparrow, and Summer Tanager sing in the late spring/summer months. Blue-headed Vireo is here in the winter. The best time of day to go is first thing in the morning. It is a 3-mile round trip hike to get to where the birds will be. 
  • How to get there

Paisley is extremely rural. You will not be able to get here without a car or a Lyft/Uber ride.

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

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2025-05-01 18:10
Paisley is extremely rural. You will not be able to get here without a car or a Lyft/Uber ride.

Turn from the main road onto the forest service road that leads to the Clearwater Lake campground. Immediately turn right. If you reach the gate for the campground, you've gone too far. Turn around and make the only left and you will see the Florida trail kiosk for parking. The area is open 24/7. 

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 Anthony on 2025-05-01 18:12
Turn from the main road onto the forest service road that leads to the Clearwater Lake campground. Immediately turn right. If you reach the gate for the campground, you've gone too far. Turn around and make the only left and you will see the Florida trail kiosk for parking. The area is open 24/7. 
  • Other attractions

White-tailed deer, Florida black bear, and gopher tortoise use the same habitat. Other activities include biking and horseback riding.

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)

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2025-05-01 18:13
White-tailed deer, Florida black bear, and gopher tortoise use the same habitat. Other activities include biking and horseback riding.

There are no facilities here. The closest place with a restroom is in the town of Paisley. You can either go to the Dollar General, or to the Paisley Park (a Lake county property) to use the toilet before and after your hike. 

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 Anthony on 2025-05-01 18:14
There are no facilities here. The closest place with a restroom is in the town of Paisley. You can either go to the Dollar General, or to the Paisley Park (a Lake county property) to use the toilet before and after your hike. 

There is a nearby shooting/bombing range that causes noise pollution. Hunting is legal, including running dogs through the forest. Theft in the parking lot is a possibility since this is a very remote area. I've been going there for years and have not had a problem, but I've heard that others have.

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

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2025-05-01 18:16
There is a nearby shooting/bombing range that causes noise pollution. Hunting is legal, including running dogs through the forest. Theft in the parking lot is a possibility since this is a very remote area. I've been going there for years and have not had a problem, but I've heard that others have.
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Clearwater Lake Recreation - Orniverse