The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg

Florida · Southeast

EasyView on eBird
Habitat
LakeGrassland
Best Seasons
SpringFallWinter
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg is a productive birding destination in Florida, with 218 species recorded on eBird. This lake and grassland habitat attracts Common Gallinule, Bonaparte's Gull, and Pied-billed Grebe among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Common GallinuleBonaparte's GullPied-billed GrebeAnhingaDouble-crested Cormorant

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/5/2026GRU Power Station3 observed

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

3/5/2026Kenwood Neighborhood1 observed

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

3/5/20265628 NW 57th Way, Gainesville US-FL 29.70713, -82.404521 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

3/5/2026Newnans Lake--Earl P. Powers Park3 observed

American Pipit

Anthus rubescens

3/5/2026Orange Lake61 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026GRU Power Station5 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026606 SE Depot Ave, Gainesville US-FL (29.6456,-82.3199)1 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026500–698 SE Seventh St, Gainesville US-FL (29.6464,-82.3181)2 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

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

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

3/4/20265628 NW 57th Way, Gainesville US-FL 29.70713, -82.404521 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

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

3/4/2026Newnans Lake--Earl P. Powers Park3 observed

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

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

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

3/4/2026San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP2 observed

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

3/4/2026Sweetwater Wetlands Park2 observed

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

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

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

3/4/2026Sweetwater Wetlands Park1 observed

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

3/4/2026Sweetwater Wetlands Park1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

3/4/2026906 NW 35th Ave, Gainesville US-FL 29.68506, -82.333921 observed

Recent Observations

Common Gallinule

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

2 birds

Bonaparte's Gull

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

3 birds

Pied-billed Grebe

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

2 birds

Anhinga

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

4 birds

Double-crested Cormorant

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

40 birds

Turkey Vulture

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

15 birds

Osprey

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-shouldered Hawk

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

3 birds

White-eyed Vireo

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Crow

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

1 birds

Fish Crow

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

1 birds

Carolina Chickadee

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

2 birds

Tufted Titmouse

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

5 birds

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

3 birds

Carolina Wren

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

3 birds

Black-and-white Warbler

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Parula

Paynes Prairie Preserve SP--Lake Wauberg

3/4/2026

4 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Trails
Visitor Center

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

How to Identify Birds Like an Expert: The Four Keys to Field Identification

11 min read

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching: Gear, Identification, and Etiquette

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg for birding?▼
The best months to visit Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg?▼
Notable species at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg include Common Gallinule, Bonaparte's Gull, Pied-billed Grebe, Anhinga, Double-crested Cormorant. The area supports lake, grassland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg?▼
Birding at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
What amenities are available at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg?▼
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Lake Wauberg offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Visitor Center.