FIELD TRIP: Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area & Joe Overstreet Landing

Date: Wednesday, 26 January 2026

Location: Three Lakes WMA and Joe Overstreet Landing

Leader Names: Ann Esmas and Becky Loftus (786-351-3290)

Trip/area Descriptions: Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area: Formerly a cattle ranch, the 63,000 acres of the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County consists of extensive hiking, bicycling, and horseback trails including self-guided driving tours. Birds and butterflies are abundant in the winter including the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. The habitats include a mosaic of dry and wet prairie, flatwoods, hammocks, cypress ponds and patches of scrub. Other birds of interest in the Longleaf Pine woods include Brown-headed Nuthatches and Bachman’s Sparrow.

Joe Overstreet Landing: On the 5.5-mile drive to the Boat Landing on Lake Kissimmee, we’ll look for Florida Sandhill Crane, Wild Turkey, Eastern Meadowlark, Bald Eagle, Crested Caracara and Loggerhead Shrike. During migration, shorebirds use the sod fields when there is standing water. At the end of the road there is a picnic area and store. The boat ramp area and marsh often have Limpkins and ibis. Snail Kites and Limpkins search the lake for apple snails and Bald Eagles often perch on posts close to the shore. Purple Gallinule are often present. Several rarities have been recorded at this site including Red-headed Woodpecker, Western Kingbird, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

Duration of trip in hours: 6 hours including drive time to sites.

Walking distance: Minimal, less than 0.5 miles on hard sandy roads.

Degree of difficulty: Much of the view is from vehicle. Easy walking at Three Lakes and Joe Overstreet.

Where to meet: IHOP parking lot at 8800 20th St. (SR 60) in Vero Beach.

Time of meeting: 6:00 am for the 1:15 hour drive.

Number of participants: 20

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Pelican Island Audubon Society