Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond

Florida · Southeast

Habitat
LakeWetland
Best Seasons
SpringFallWinter
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond is a productive birding destination in Florida, with 272 species recorded on eBird. This lake and wetland habitat attracts Osprey, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Red-bellied Woodpecker among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Wilson's Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolor

3/5/2026Big Bend WMA--Hickory Mound7 observed

Brown Creeper

Certhia americana

3/5/2026Leedom Home (private residence)1 observed

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

3/4/2026St. Marks NWR (please consider using a more precise location)2 observed

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

3/4/2026St. Marks NWR (please consider using a more precise location)1 observed

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

3/1/2026South Moon Under Murphy Residence1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

3/1/2026Private Residence1 observed

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

3/1/2026Bald Point SP1 observed

Chuck-will's-widow

Antrostomus carolinensis

2/28/2026Mossy Oak Preserve (Limited Access)1 observed

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

2/27/20261255 Lighthouse Road, Saint Marks, Florida, US (30.087, -84.166)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

American Wigeon

33/6/2026

Green-winged Teal

123/6/2026

Redhead

13/6/2026

Lesser Scaup

33/6/2026

Bufflehead

143/6/2026

Clapper Rail

13/6/2026

Semipalmated Plover

3/6/2026

Marbled Godwit

3/6/2026

Short-billed Dowitcher

3/6/2026

Willet

3/6/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

3/6/2026

Ruddy Turnstone

23/6/2026

Dunlin

153/6/2026

Least Sandpiper

83/6/2026

Laughing Gull

3/6/2026

Black Skimmer

13/6/2026

Forster's Tern

123/6/2026

Royal Tern

13/6/2026

Anhinga

13/6/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

83/6/2026

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond for birding?
The best months to visit Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond?
Notable species at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond include Osprey, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Gray Catbird, Swamp Sparrow. The area supports lake, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond?
Birding at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond?
Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Mounds Trail & Tower Pond offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Auto Tour Route.