Frankfurt am Main, March 19, 2026 | The swamps and mangrove forests along Florida’s Paradise Coast are currently buzzing with activity. Thousands of birds are leaving their winter quarters and following ancient routes north. One of North America’s most important migration corridors runs along the US East Coast, and those who know where to look can witness one of the continent’s great natural spectacles there. March and April are considered the peak months, as Florida serves as a key stopover for species leaving their southern wintering grounds and heading north. 

Occasionally this leads to a so-called fallout – the sudden arrival of large numbers of birds when weather conditions force thousands of animals to land at the same time. The Naples, Marco Island and Everglades region is among the most species-rich spots along the entire corridor. On the coast, waterbirds such as pelicans, ospreys, spoonbills and herons dominate in large numbers. Inland, in the sanctuaries and protected areas, forest bird species live that are not found on the coast. In spring, a third group joins them: migratory birds resting on their way north, further increasing the diversity of species. The region is thus considered one of the most important stops along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, the state-designated network of Florida’s best birdwatching sites. 

In the old-growth forest of bald cypresses 

The Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, around 40 minutes northeast of Naples, protects North America’s last remaining old-growth forest of ancient bald cypresses. A 3.6-kilometer boardwalk leads through pine forests, wet prairies and swamp landscape. Wading birds and woodpeckers live here year-round. In spring, colorful songbirds join them. The sanctuary is also considered one of the most important breeding grounds of the endangered wood stork in the US. Guided Early Birding Tours take place there until mid-April – three-hour morning excursions with local naturalists, bookable through the sanctuary. For those arriving without binoculars: a pair can be borrowed at the Blair Audubon Visitor Center. 

Vast wilderness in Big Cypress 

Those seeking more space will find it in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The first national preserve in the US encompasses 295,000 hectares of wetlands with five different habitat types and 267 documented bird species. The density is lower than at better-known birding spots, which makes every sighting a true discovery. Birds of prey and kites circle above the open water surfaces, including the swallow-tailed kite with its distinctive black-and-white markings. Along the shores, herons, ibises and the roseate spoonbill wade through the shallow water. Guided swamp walks with rangers lead off the beaten path directly into these habitats. 

From the coast into the mangroves 

On the coast, the picture changes. The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve near Naples – 44,500 hectares of mangroves and salt marshes – is home to over 150 bird species: birds of prey such as the bald eagle, wading birds in large numbers and various heron species. Guided kayak tours lead directly into the breeding grounds. Further south, in the expansive Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, hundreds of seabirds and pelicans head to their roosting sites in the evening.

On Marco Island lies Tigertail Beach, where shorebirds populate the tidal pools and the sandbars provide nesting grounds for threatened species. Those wishing to explore the region systematically will find a specialized provider of guided birding tours in Tour The Glades.

In May and June, the region shows yet another side, when intense courtship song echoes through the swamps and cypress forests.

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copyright © Courtesy of Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB, unless otherwise noted.

Press contact:
BZ.COMM GmbH
Steffen Hager & Anna Heuer
Hanauer Landstrasse 136 | 60314 Frankfurt am Main
ParadiseCoastFL@bz-comm.de  | +49 69 256 288 0
www.bz-comm.de 

Trade contact:
DiaMonde GmbH & Co. KG
Annette Eckhardt 
Bubenhaldenstrasse 53 | 70469 Stuttgart 
Naples@diamonde.de  | +49 160 363 8673
www.diamonde.de 

About Florida’s Paradise Coast
The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official source for travel and tourism information about Florida’s Paradise Coast. This premier vacation and meetings destination in Southwest Florida offers a wealth of exceptional experiences year-round – the elegance of Naples, the charm of Marco Island and the authentic, rural beauty of Everglades City. With 30 miles of Gulf coastline featuring soft white-sand beaches, visitors enjoy a refined yet relaxed atmosphere and a wide range of accommodations, from luxurious beachfront resorts and upscale boutique hotels to welcoming, family-friendly lodgings. The destination is known for its thriving arts and culture scene, exceptional restaurants, designer boutiques and diverse shopping. A mecca for sports enthusiasts, it is home to over 90 public and private golf courses, the FC Naples team of the United Soccer League, and hosts three major PGA and LPGA championship tournaments as well as the US Open Pickleball Championships powered by Margaritaville. Water sports activities abound, from first-class fishing and sailing charters to kayaking, paddling and airboat rides. The destination is also home to the world-famous Everglades – the only subtropical mangrove wilderness in the US, where endangered and rare wildlife such as the elusive Florida panther and over 350 bird species live. 

At Florida’s Paradise Coast, luxurious living meets wildlife. Accolades include being named the “best place to live in the US”, “America’s healthiest and happiest city” and “one of the best small towns in the US”. Florida’s Paradise Coast is just two hours from Miami, three hours from Tampa and four hours from Orlando and is easily accessible via the Interstate Highway. Travelers from outside the Sunshine State can fly into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Punta Gorda (PGD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA). For more information about Florida’s Paradise Coast, call 800-688-3600, visit ParadiseCoast.com, or follow on X, Instagram and Facebook.