Florida · Central & South Florida

Florida Experience 2027

Feb 24–28, 2027 5 Days · 4 Nights Limited Availability Small Group

Florida's Legendary Birding Grounds

From the rookeries and marshes of central Florida to the coastal flats of the Atlantic shore, this five-day tour immerses you in one of the richest birding landscapes in the eastern United States. February brings peak activity — wading birds are nesting, shorebirds crowd the tidal flats, and Florida's resident tropical species are out in force.

With David Simpson guiding you through the preserves and parks he knows best, you'll experience Roseate Spoonbills at dawn, Limpkins along quiet waterways, and Florida Scrub-Jays in their sandy pine habitat. The pace is relaxed, the group is small, and every detail is handled so you can focus entirely on the birds.

What You’ll Experience

  • Wading bird rookeries in peak nesting season
  • Shorebirds and terns along the Atlantic coast
  • Florida Scrub-Jay in native habitat
  • Limpkin, Roseate Spoonbill, and other Florida specialties
  • A dedicated local guide with deep Florida expertise
  • Small group size for an unhurried, personal pace

What’s Included

This is a fully all-inclusive tour. Your price covers:

  • Hotel accommodations (double occupancy, Hilton-brand property)
  • All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Ground transportation throughout the tour
  • Professional guide services
  • Spotting scope provided in the field
  • Snacks and water daily
  • Entry fees to all sites in the itinerary

Not included: Airfare to/from the departure airport, alcoholic beverages, and gratuities.

Tour Days at a Glance

Day 1 · Feb 24
Arrival & Welcome
+
  • Airport pickup and hotel check-in
  • Evening orientation and welcome dinner
  • Overview of the week ahead
Day 2 · Feb 25
Wetlands & Rookeries
+
  • Early morning rookery visit — wading birds at peak nesting
  • Roseate Spoonbill, Great Blue Heron, Wood Stork
  • Afternoon wetland walk for rails and gallinules
Day 3 · Feb 26
Scrub & Savanna
+
  • Florida Scrub-Jay habitat — one of North America's rarest birds
  • Sandhill Crane and Burrowing Owl on the prairies
  • Afternoon at a local preserve for woodland species
Day 4 · Feb 27
Coastal Birding
+
  • Atlantic coast shorebirds and terns
  • American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, Royal Tern
  • Tidal flats and mangrove edges
  • Sunset birding for owls and nightjars
Day 5 · Feb 28
Final Morning & Departure
+
  • Early morning birding at a local hotspot
  • Final species tally and farewells
  • Airport drop-off

Expected Species List

Waterfowl14 species
+
Blue-winged TealNorthern ShovelerGadwallAmerican WigeonMottled DuckRing-necked DuckLesser ScaupGreater ScaupHooded MerganserRuddy DuckBlack-bellied Whistling-DuckWood DuckGreen-winged TealBufflehead
Grebes3 species
+
Pied-billed GrebeHorned GrebeLeast Grebe
Herons, Ibises & Allies13 species
+
Great Blue HeronGreat EgretSnowy EgretLittle Blue HeronTricolored HeronCattle EgretGreen HeronBlack-crowned Night-HeronYellow-crowned Night-HeronWhite IbisGlossy IbisRoseate SpoonbillWood Stork
Rails and Allies5 species
+
Clapper RailKing RailSoraCommon GallinuleAmerican Coot
Shorebirds16 species
+
Black-bellied PloverSnowy PloverSemipalmated PloverKilldeerAmerican OystercatcherBlack-necked StiltAmerican AvocetWilletDunlinLeast SandpiperWestern SandpiperShort-billed DowitcherLong-billed DowitcherWilson's SnipeSpotted SandpiperMarbled Godwit
Gulls, Terns & Skimmers8 species
+
Laughing GullRing-billed GullHerring GullBonaparte's GullRoyal TernForster's TernCaspian TernBlack Skimmer
Pelicans & Cormorants3 species
+
Brown PelicanAmerican White PelicanDouble-crested Cormorant
Raptors12 species
+
OspreySwallow-tailed KiteBald EagleNorthern HarrierSharp-shinned HawkCooper's HawkRed-shouldered HawkRed-tailed HawkAmerican KestrelMerlinPeregrine FalconShort-tailed Hawk
Doves and Pigeons5 species
+
Rock PigeonMourning DoveEurasian Collared-DoveCommon Ground-DoveWhite-winged Dove
Hummingbirds2 species
+
Ruby-throated HummingbirdBlack-chinned Hummingbird
Kingfishers1 species
+
Belted Kingfisher
Woodpeckers6 species
+
Red-bellied WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerPileated WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerRed-headed Woodpecker
Flycatchers6 species
+
Eastern PhoebeGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdGray KingbirdVermilion FlycatcherAsh-throated Flycatcher
Vireos2 species
+
White-eyed VireoBlue-headed Vireo
Jays and Crows3 species
+
Florida Scrub-JayBlue JayAmerican Crow
Swallows3 species
+
Tree SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowPurple Martin
Wrens4 species
+
Carolina WrenHouse WrenMarsh WrenSedge Wren
Kinglets and Gnatcatchers2 species
+
Ruby-crowned KingletBlue-gray Gnatcatcher
Thrushes3 species
+
Eastern BluebirdHermit ThrushAmerican Robin
Thrashers and Mimids3 species
+
Gray CatbirdBrown ThrasherNorthern Mockingbird
Warblers12 species
+
Orange-crowned WarblerNashville WarblerYellow-rumped WarblerPalm WarblerPine WarblerPrairie WarblerCommon YellowthroatBlack-and-white WarblerAmerican RedstartOvenbirdLouisiana WaterthrushWilson's Warbler
New World Sparrows8 species
+
Bachman's SparrowChipping SparrowField SparrowSavannah SparrowGrasshopper SparrowSong SparrowSwamp SparrowWhite-throated Sparrow
Cardinals and Allies4 species
+
Northern CardinalPainted BuntingIndigo BuntingEastern Towhee
Blackbirds and Orioles6 species
+
Red-winged BlackbirdEastern MeadowlarkBoat-tailed GrackleCommon GrackleBrown-headed CowbirdBaltimore Oriole
Finches and Allies3 species
+
House FinchAmerican GoldfinchHouse Sparrow
Anhingas & Limpkin2 species
+
AnhingaLimpkin
Sandhill Crane & Allies2 species
+
Sandhill CraneFlorida Sandhill Crane
From
$1,740 / person
Fully all-inclusive
Double Occupancy
Per person, shared room
$1,740
Single Occupancy
Private room
$2,140
Deposit to reserve
$300
Book Now $300 deposit

Secure your place with a $300 deposit. Balance due 45 days before departure.

Every tour is fully all-inclusive — hotel, meals, transportation, expert guide, spotting scope, and daily snacks & water.

David Simpson — tour guide

Guided by David Simpson

David Simpson has spent a lifetime exploring Florida's outdoors, with over 12 years of experience with the Florida Park Service and deep expertise in the state's birds, habitats, and natural history. He regularly leads birding trips for Audubon societies and serves as field trip coordinator for the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival.

Reserve Your Place in Florida

The Florida Experience 2027 tour runs as a small group and spots are filling. Reserve yours today with a deposit.

Book Now $300 deposit

Fully all-inclusive · Balance due 45 days before departure

Guided Journeys Crafted with Expertise

Since its inception, the team has facilitated comprehensive small-group tours that reveal the cultural, historical, and ecological narratives of each destination, thereby demonstrating meticulous planning and on-site proficiency.

Grounded in rigorous safety standards and sustainable practices, the organization implements evidence-based solutions that optimize travel logistics while ensuring every guest experiences informed guidance and respectful engagement with local communities.

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