Myakka River State Park on the outskirts of Sarasota is Florida's largest state park. Large alligators bask along the edge of lakes and wetlands. Wading birds are abundant, including herons, egrets, white ibis, and limpkins. Waterfowl winter on the lakes, including American wigeon, northern pintail, teal, and ring-necked ducks.
Wood ducks are here year-round.
Look for sandhill cranes and bald eagles late fall through spring. Charlotte Harbor's coastal area and barrier islands, near Punta Gorda , have a wealth of opportunities for birding. August and September are the best month for observing American oystercatchers, black skimmers, long-billed curlews, plovers, whimbrels, gulls, and terns. Magnificent frigate birds soar overhead in the summer, and ospreys and brown pelicans are here year-round. Look for bald eagles in the spring.