Bourlay Historic Nature Park

Stop at the visitor center (a shotgun-style, old Florida cracker house) at the parking/trailhead area and pick up a trail map; Six short loop trails wind through hardwoods and pine flatwoods (Bicycles are permitted). A butterfly garden by the parking area encourages visitors to use native landscape plants at home to attract pollinators. Take the aptly-named Woodpecker Loop Trail near the entrance for Northern Flickers and Pileated, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, plus resident songbirds such as White-eyed Vireos and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Other productive trails are the Nature Way Trail and Waterfront Landing Trail; the latter has a panoramic view of Lake Griffin which is home for Great Blue Herons, Purple Gallinules and Ring-billed Gulls (winter). Raptors seen in the park include Cooper’s Hawks, American Kestrels, Ospreys and Bald Eagles. Painted Buntings are present in winter and during migration up to 15 species of wood-warbler have been recorded including Kentucky and Magnolia . To explore Lake Griffin, kayaks are available for rent on site (call ahead to reserve), or bring your own. You may access the canoe launch from the Settler’s Bend Trail.