CHRISTMAS, Fla.--My birding friends may not be early birds unless they have news of migrating sandhills, nesting roseate spoonbills or sightings of another exotic bird on their bucket list.
And with news of a sighting, they arise before daybreak and spring into action. Their cameras, binoculars and snacks packed the night before. But who can pass up a chance to see these “divas” first hand.
Although I am not a birder--only an amateur with an interest in Florida wading birds--I could not pass up a chance to see roseate spoonbills with flashy pink plumage, awaiting for their chicks to hatch.
An Anhinga to the left. Nests of Great Blue Herons &
A landscape of "pincushion" islands of cabbage palms as my sister has described them. In the distance, that constant murmuring—the castanet-like sounds of wood storks—other “conversation” coming from the rookeries. The bright splashes of pink spoonbills as they arrange themselves in nests, often in cabbage palms, while their partners fly off in search of twigs. In higher treetops, the Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets were more difficult to spot by amateurs like me. Some birders spoke excitedly of a night heron. . . .
On the marshy side of the boardwalk, I could recognize coots, common gallinules as well as the purple gallinule with plumage the colors of an oil slick. The anhinga remains a favorite, and one I can identify.
Purple Gallinule
Even though this site is a constructed wetlands—it does not replace the natural wetlands that have been lost to development--it may give a glimpse into scenes described by some of the early naturalists. That tangle of nature, which almost camouflages wildlife.
Those rookeries, which were nearly wiped out in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when an estimated 5-million birds were killed for their plumage used for ladies’ hats. (Weeks) until women conservationists formed the first Audubon Society in 1905 ("History," Saha).
It seems only recently we have begun to appreciate this Florida landscape, a mysterious beauty that serves a vital function in removing nutrients from reclaimed waters and providing habitat for more than 230 species of birds here ("Orlando Wetlands History).
At one end of the boardwalk, most birders headed toward the sandy berms to continue the loop back to the visitors center. I followed--but only briefly. Alligators sunned on these banks. Too close for comfort to me. I returned via the boardwalk.
By late morning, it was already getting hot when we left. I had learned to identify several more species and am planning to return when rookeries take on a new life with the chicks. But I'll never be an early bird . . . at least not by birding standards.
A photographer targets an alligator.
If you go. . . .
The Orlando Wetlands - open daily (closed on Mondays) from sunrise to sunset. Best to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Allow at least two hours for a quick visit. In addition to the boardwalk, the park includes 18 miles of berm road trails, more than 230 species of birds and an estimated 1,700 alligators.
Restrooms are available both at the parking lot and visitor center. The Visitor Center, which also has educational displays and materials and volunteers to answer questions, is open 9 am to 4 pm.
Covered picnic tables are located by the parking lot. Be sure to pack water and a snack.
Join the Facebook page for Orlando Wetlands to keep up to date.
The Orlando Wetlands is located at 25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas, Fla. 32709.
Saha, Purbita. “A Hat Tip to the Women who Started Conservation in the U.S.” Audubon. 8 July 2018. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/hat-tip-women-who-started-modern-bird-conservation-us. Accessed 20 February 2026.
“The History of Audubon and Bird Conservation.” Audubon. 4 February 2026. https://www.audubon.org/about/history. Accessed 20 February 2026.
Weeks, Linton. “Hats Off To Women Who Saved The Birds.” NPR History Department. 15 July 2015. https://www.npr.org/sections/npr-history-dept/2015/07/15/422860307/hats-off-to-women-who-saved-the-birds. Accessed 20 February 2026.