Birding Washington Oaks Garden State Park

Join Ann Bradley as she leads a walk through the famed Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, Washington Oaks preserves 425 acres of a northeastern Florida barrier island along State Road A1A in Palm Coast, Florida.

Ann will lead us through the western side of the Park (Matanzas Inlet side) where the formal gardens are, which is a coastal scrub community that transitions into lush hammock of towering live oaks, hickory and magnolia trees. Bordering the hammock are the scenic tidal marshes of the Matanzas River.

Washington Oaks is an exceptional birding spot where 224 species have been spotted. In November, it is possible to see Black-bellied Plovers, Black Scoters, Lesser Scaup, Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, various terns, various herons and egrets, vireos, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Eastern Towhees, and migrating warblers.

There is a $5 per car fee (2-8 people) and a $4 single-occupant vehicle charge. There is a $2 fee for passengers in a vehicle with the holder of a Florida Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

Meet us at the paved parking lot after the Park Paying Station and turning left at the stop sign. The parking lot is across from the restrooms and outdoor stage.

Bring water, bug spray, a hat, and wear good walking shoes for this adventure!

We encourage you to consider joining the SJRA. You can join for as little as $20 per year, which will can help us continue and expand our work. To join the SJRA, follow this link: https://stjohnsaudubon.com/membership/