Lake Talquin State Forest: Bear Creek

The entrance trail to this family-friendly site is a paved interpretive trail, which then connects to the 2.5-mile Ravine Trail and the 3.0-mile Bear Creek Trail. The former hugs the creek ravine, and its hardwood forest is good for Northern Parula and Hooded Warbler in spring and summer. The first mile of the longer Bear Creek Trail is very productive in April and May and again in September and October; look and listen for Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo and Summer Tanager in the spring, and migrants such as American Redstart and Kentucky Warbler in the fall. The latter portion of the trail has pine flatwoods, good for Red-headed Woodpecker and Brown-headed Nuthatch. Broad-winged Hawks and Swallow-tailed Kites nest in the area. Take water and insect repellent, and pick up a map at the entrance kiosk. Butterfly viewing is excellent in spring. Check the flowering Florida Anise trees, along both trails, for gossamer-wing butterflies such as Henry’s Elfin, Banded Hairstreak and Spring and Summer Azures.