Birdwatching in Fort Myers, Florida: Best Wildlife and Photo Spots

Snowbirds migrate to Fort Myers each winter to savor the sunshine and warm breezes. But they’re not the only seasonal travelers flocking to Florida’s Gulf Coast. The region’s wetlands, mangrove forests and coastal habitats welcome a colorful cast of migratory birds who mingle with resident species, like the pink-plumed Roseate Spoonbill. It’s a joyful seasonal sight for avid birders, photographers and winter tourists happy to spend days outdoors doing anything but shoveling. Here are the top spots to go birding in Fort Myers.

Fort Myers’ Can’t-Miss Birding Hotspot

Mangrove stand at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge — Photo credit: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is the region’s crown jewel for birders, a sprawling 6,400-acre sanctuary where more than 245 species make appearances throughout the year. The elevated Observation Tower on Wildlife Drive is a prime vantage point to scan for the Roseate Spoonbill — the Refuge’s unofficial celebrity — or watch flocks of White Pelicans glide in formation over the mangroves. Great Blue Herons, Reddish Egrets and dozens of shorebirds work the tidal flats at low tide. Frequent wildlife reports help visiting birders know what’s been spotted that week.

All Aboard!

Educational tram tours reduce car traffic in the refuge and help guests spot species.

Boardwalk Birding

Man and woman walking on boardwalk trail at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers Florida — Photo credit: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods

A short drive inland, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve offers a completely different ecosystem and an equally rewarding birding experience. The one-mile boardwalk winds through a 3,500-acre wetland filled with the echoing calls of wading birds. Herons and egrets stalk the shallows, while spring migration brings a burst of color from more than 30 species of Wood-Warblers flitting through the canopy. This natural watershed changes with rainfall, so no two visits are ever the same.

Birds, Yes; Dogs, No.

Pets are not permitted at the Preserve, but here are dog-friendly Lee County parks to explore.

Down by the River

Along the Estero River, Koreshan State Park blends history with habitat, supporting over 100 species of birds. Swallow-tailed kites circle overhead in summer, bald eagles nest in towering pines and bobwhites call from the underbrush. Belted kingfishers rattle along the riverbanks.

Be On the Lookout For…

Gopher tortoises make their home in the park. This 60-million-year-old species (one of the oldest on the planet!) grows to about 15 inches long and lives 40-60 years in the wild.

Seabirds by the Seashore

White Ibis, one of the bird species to see in Fort Myers, Florida. — Photo credit: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods

For those seeking coastal species, San Carlos Bay–Bunche Beach Preserve offers broad views of salt flats and mangrove fringe just before the Sanibel Causeway. As a designated site on the Great Florida Birding Trail, it draws both serious birders and casual beachgoers.

Possible “Wow” Photo Moment:

Capturing Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets and White Ibises feeding in the shallows during low tide.

It’s a Hoot in Cape Coral

Cape Coral adds an unexpected highlight to the region’s birding circuit: the largest population of burrowing owls in Florida. These pint-sized raptors nest in open sandy patches and roadside berms, making them remarkably accessible to patient observers.

The community’s annual Burrowing Owl Festival, scheduled for February 28, 2026, at Rotary Park Environmental Center, celebrates the species. It’s one of Southwest Florida’s most beloved wildlife events and a testament to how deeply the region embraces its feathered neighbors.