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© Rebecca Smith
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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 Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 27.6339/-82.7183 (2021-04-17 21:12:28 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Fort De Soto Park" (2021-04-17 21:12:28 )

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)

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus)
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday)
Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea)

Willet (Tringa semipalmata) was added by Rebecca Smith (2023-10-26 13:49:27)

Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus) was added by Rebecca Smith (2021-10-13 18:11:42)

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) was added by Rebecca Smith (2021-10-13 18:11:32)

Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) was added by Rebecca Smith (2021-10-13 18:11:22)

Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday) was added by Rebecca Smith (2021-10-13 18:11:07)

Red Knot (Calidris canutus) was added by Rebecca Smith (2021-10-13 18:10:54)

  • Timing and strategy

Definitely the best time of the year to visit Fort Desoto Park as a birder is going to be in the spring around mid April as all the neotropical migrants arrive and make their ways to their nesting sites for the summer. The north beach picnic area is especially good for warblers as well as the trees in the fort parking lots itself. You can also find every species of plover known to Florida on the north beach in October. Also a reliable location for Whimbrel and Marbled Godwit during migration and Nanday Parakeets can be seen year round. Our company, Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Tours, has been leading field trips and private tours to this location for over 5 years. We offer pick up/drop off services, water/snacks for the duration of your tour, entry fees and a shared ebird checklist.

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 2021-10-13 18:03
Definitely the best time of the year to visit Fort Desoto Park as a birder is going to be in the spring around mid April as all the neotropical migrants arrive and make their ways to their nesting sites for the summer. The north beach picnic area is especially good for warblers as well as the trees in the fort parking lots itself. You can also find every species of plover known to Florida on the north beach in October. Also a reliable location for Whimbrel and Marbled Godwit during migration. migration and Nanday Parakeets can be seen year round. Our company has company, Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Tours, has been leading field trips and private tours to this location for over 5 years. We offer pick up/drop off services, water/snacks for the duration of your tour, entry fees and a shared ebird checklist.
Edited by Rebecca Smith on 2021-10-13 17:57
Definitely the best time of the year to visit Fort Desoto Park as a birder is going to be in the spring around mid April as all the neotropical migrants arrive and make their ways to their nesting sites for the summer. The north beach picnic area is especially good for warblers as well as the trees in the fort parking lots itself. You can also find every species of plover known to Florida on the north beach in October. Also a reliable location for Whimbrel and Marbled Godwit during migration. Our company has been leading field trips and private tours to this location for over 5 years. We offer pick up/drop off services, water/snacks for the duration of your tour, entry fees and a shared ebird checklist.
  • How to get there

The Pinellas Bayway dead-ends at the park. It's very easy to locate although I do not believe there is any public transportation available to the park.

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

Edited by Rebecca Smith on 2021-10-13 17:58
The Pinellas Bayway dead-ends at the park. It's very easy to locate although I do not believe there is any public transportation available to the park.

Pineallas Bayway is the only entry point until you own a boat. Entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. The park is open from 7am-dusk year round.

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 2021-10-13 18:00
Pineallas Bayway is the only entry point until you own a boat. Entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. The park is open from 7am-dusk year round.
  • Other attractions

There are lots of raccoons that'll be looking for a handout from picnic-ers and the fort itself is a very educational historical site worth seeing. Additional activities include a bike path, fishing, swimming, camping, and a huge dog park. They even have a section of beach set aside for dog walkers. 

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 Smith on 2021-10-13 18:02
There are lots of raccoons that'll be looking for a handout from picnic-ers and the fort itself is a very educational historical site worth seeing. Additional activities include a bike path, fishing, swimming, camping, and a huge dog park. They even have a section of beach set aside for dog walkers. 

There are restrooms at every parking area as well as camping and showers. Upon entering the park, you will see a large nature center as you arrive at the end of the Pineallas Bayway.

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 2021-10-13 18:05
There are restrooms at every parking area as well as camping and showers. Upon entering the park, you will see a large nature center as you arrive at the end of the Pineallas Bayway.

The park can get very crowded during migration on the weekends. Plan your trip to arrive during the week to avoid most of the crowds.

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 Smith on 2021-10-13 18:06
The park can get very crowded during migration on the weekends. Plan your trip to arrive during the week to avoid most of the crowds.
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.

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Fort De Soto Park - Orniverse