Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section

Florida · Southeast

ModerateView on eBird

Habitat

River/RiparianGrassland

Best Seasons

SpringFallWinter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section is a productive birding destination in Florida, with 201 species recorded on eBird. This river/riparian and grassland habitat attracts a wide variety of species among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Belted Kingfisher Yellow Warbler Song Sparrow Great Blue Heron Cedar Waxwing

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Calliope Hummingbird

Selasphorus calliope

3/6/20263101 SW First Way, Gainesville US-FL 29.62464, -82.326321 observed

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

3/6/20263920 NW 36th Pl, Gainesville US-FL 29.68657, -82.383401 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

3/6/20263920 NW 36th Pl, Gainesville US-FL 29.68657, -82.383401 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/5/2026GRU Power Station3 observed

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

3/5/2026Kenwood Neighborhood1 observed

American Pipit

Anthus rubescens

3/5/2026Orange Lake61 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

3/4/2026Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--US-441 observation deck1 observed

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

3/4/2026San Felasco City Park1 observed

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

3/4/2026Newnans Lake--Earl P. Powers Park1 observed

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

3/4/2026RF (NO PUBLIC ACCESS)2 observed

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

3/4/2026Sweetwater Wetlands Park2 observed

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

3/4/2026University of Florida--University Gardens1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Mourning Dove

33/5/2026

Black Vulture

63/5/2026

Turkey Vulture

13/5/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

53/5/2026

Downy Woodpecker

13/5/2026

Pileated Woodpecker

13/5/2026

American Crow

23/5/2026

Carolina Chickadee

23/5/2026

Tufted Titmouse

33/5/2026

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

23/5/2026

Carolina Wren

13/5/2026

Cedar Waxwing

83/5/2026

Northern Parula

123/5/2026

Palm Warbler

23/5/2026

Pine Warbler

33/5/2026

Yellow-rumped Warbler

273/5/2026

Yellow-throated Warbler

23/5/2026

Northern Cardinal

203/5/2026

Birding Tips

1
Walk along the water slowly, scanning overhanging branches for kingfishers and warblers.
2
Check sandbars and gravel bars for shorebirds and terns.
3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in Florida

Everglades National Park

Vast subtropical wilderness with incredible wading bird concentrations and tropical species.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Remote island migrant trap with the only continental US Sooty Tern colony.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Sanibel Island mangrove refuge with spectacular wading bird viewing from Wildlife Drive.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section for birding?▼

The best months to visit Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.

What birds can I see at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section?▼

Notable species at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section include Belted Kingfisher, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, Cedar Waxwing. The area supports river/riparian, grassland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section?▼

Birding at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section?▼

Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail - La Chua to Prairie Creek section offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.