Payne's Prairie La Chua Trail

Sedge Wren

Every year in March I make a trip from my home in Central Florida to a conference in Dothan, Alabama. It's a perfect opportunity for me to get up early and drop by one of Central Florida's treasures, Payne's Prairie. I've only been here twice, and both times I've visited La Chua Trail.  This is a wonderful trail with great habitat for sparrows, wading birds and other fun things.  I usually give myself a couple of hours here to recoup from driving and enjoy a little nature.  My favorite kinds of birds to find here are sparrows.

White-crowned  Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow
(heavily cropped)

But the wading birds here are also a lot of fun.  It's a good place for the normal egrets and herons, and it's not uncommon to see an American Bittern here as well.

Snowy Egret

American Bittern

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron (imm.)

Other than what I've mentioned, you may also find a Whooping Crane or two, and in the winter time, even a female Vermilion Flycatcher (though so far I've not seen it here). If you're ever in the Gainesville area and would like to do some birding, this is a great place to visit.  It's not far from I-75 with easy access, and you're bound to have a good time.