FIELD TRIP: Orlando Wetlands Park

Date: Saturday, 31 January 2026

Location: Orlando Wetlands Park, 25155 Wheeler Road, Orlando, FL

Leader Names: Becky and Bill Loftus, Bob Montanaro

Leader Contact: 786-351-3290

Trip/area Description: Your guides will lead a walking tour of this famous birding location. The Park is a wastewater-treatment wetland that attracts a wide variety of birds, especially large numbers of waterbirds. Songbirds and raptors occur around the tree islands, palm stands and cypress domes. The birds may be approached closely, offering great opportunities for photography. The paths on the levees are dry, and are not open to vehicles, other than bicycles and a tram. We will be walking, although the tram offers first-come, first-serve rides. The new boardwalk offers views of a wading bird rookery. Bring drinking water, sunscreen and a hat as the area is open to the sun and may become hot.

Duration of trip: 5 hours at the Park, plus 3-hour round-trip driving there. Carpooling is encouraged.

Walking distance: about 2 miles.

Degree of difficulty, and any special instructions: Parts of the levees can be uneven. No restroom once on the walk. Bring water, snacks, binoculars and sunscreen.

Meeting place: Parking lot at the Chevron gas station/McDonalds on County Road 512, just east of I-95.

Time of meeting: 6:00 am.

Number of participants: 25 people.

Host or Publisher Pelican Island Audubon Society