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Inspiring travel through photography

Home » Travel » Americas » North America » Wakodahatchee Wetlands Birds, Alligators and Native Bush in Florida

Wakodahatchee Wetlands Birds, Alligators and Native Bush in Florida

Last Updated: February 11, 2023 // by Rhonda Albom // 33 Comments
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This Great Blue Heron is one of many wading Wakodahatchee Wetlands birds
This Great Blue Heron is one of the many wading Wakodahatchee Wetlands birds we saw.
A Double-Crested Cormorant standing on a railing at the Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach Florida
An alligator seen at the Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach Palm County Florida
A Snowy Egret flying over water at the Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach Florida
A Glossy Ibis seen at the Wakodahatchee wetlands in Florida

Nature surrounds us as we stroll along the Wakodahatchee Wetlands boardwalk in Delray Beach, Florida. Wading birds stand tall in the marsh, seemingly unaware as we pass. It’s a brilliant use of former wastewater, now a treatment facility that provides an open sanctuary for wetland birds and other Florida wildlife.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands is home to more than 178 species of birds, as well as other wildlife, including alligators, iguanas, turtles, raccoons, insects, and otters.

The wildlife is free to come and go as it pleases. In contrast, human visitors are a bit limited as we need to stay on the nearly 1-mile-long boardwalk. It protects wildlife as well as keeps us safe from alligators. Interpretive signage enhances our trail, in addition to periodic benches to rest.

Glossy Ibis is one of many colorful Wakodahatchee Wetlands Birds in Florida
Glossy Ibis

According to the signage, “The Wakodahatchee Wetland boardwalk was created to inspire and educate people about the importance of water conservation. . . . This manmade wetland naturally purifies highly treated water from the southern region water reclamation facility, recharges the area’s groundwater resources and provides a natural habitat for wildlife.”

Wakodahatchee is the “best park in Florida,” according to Money Magazine (June 2018).

Wakodahatchee Wetlands birds and other Florida wildlife

Herons are popular amongst the many species of Wakadohatchee birds. They don’t belong to the wetlands, in fact, this wildlife has chosen to make this sanctuary their home.

Tricolored Heron in Florida
Tricolored Heron
This Great Blue Heron is one of many wading Wakodahatchee Wetlands birds
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron with a fish
I watched as this Great Blue Heron speared a fish and then stood proudly displaying it for a few moments before swallowing it whole.

Anhinga and Cormorant

Neither Anhingas nor Cormorants have fully waterproof wings, thus making them unique among bird species worldwide. Hence, to dry their wings, Anhinga often spread the wings to dry in the sun.

Anhinga at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach Florida
Anhinga
Anhinga in with his wings out drying his feathers
Anhinga drying his wings
This Double-Crested Cormorant is one of the Wakodahatchee birds
Double-Crested Cormorant

A nesting alligator

Like the birds, the alligators are part of the Florida wildlife and choose to live here at Wakodahatchee. The boardwalk protects visitors from the alligators.

A nesting alligator at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach Florida
A nesting alligator whose eggs were expected to hatch in the next few days.

Spring migration and nesting in the Florida wetlands

Spring and autumn are the migration season for Florida wetland birds. On our prior visit in Spring of 2016, we saw an abundant collection of nesting birds.

Wood Stork with chicks at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Florida
Wood Stork with chicks at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach Florida.

Where are Wakodahatchee Wetlands?

Located at 13026 Jog Road in Delray Beach Florida (Palm Beach County), the entrance to Wakodahatchee Wetlands is between Woolbright Road and Atlantic Avenue.

  • Wakodahatchee Wetlands are open daily from 7 am to sunset.
  • Entry and parking are free.
  • The boardwalk is just shy of a one-mile walk.

More on visiting Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Iguana basking in the sun in Florida
An iguana basking in the sun.
  • The name Wakodahatchee means “created waters” in the dialect of the Seminole Indians.
  • The Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility pumps nearly two million gallons of highly treated wastewater into the Wakodahatchee Wetlands daily. The wetlands act as a percolation pond. The result is billions of gallons of fresh water returning to the water table.
  • For more information, check out Wakodahatchee’s official website here.

More about Florida birds

There are over 500 different species of birds in Florida. If you want to learn more about them, check out this top-rated book. To my surprise, there are more than double the number of bird species in Florida than in New Zealand (where I live).

Thanks to Tasha Boroff for identifying most of the birds on this page, although the next one came from a later visit.

Colourful Wakodahatchee Wetlands bird
Do you know which of the Wakodahatchee birds this is?

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A Snowy Egret flying over water at the Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach Florida
An alligator seen at the Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach Palm County Florida
A Double-Crested Cormorant standing on a railing at the Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach Florida

Have you been to Wakodahatchee Wetlands? Birds or alligators, which do you prefer?

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Category: North AmericaTag: Animals, Birds, Endangered Animals, Florida, USA

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Monika Ohson

    March 30, 2020 at 10:20 pm

    Wow! The bird sighting is awesome.

    Reply
  2. Rashmi K

    March 26, 2020 at 7:14 am

    Great to know that Florida is so rich in wildlife. I can see pics of many distinct bird species. I would love to visit this place for birding.

    Reply
  3. Alissa A Apel

    March 25, 2020 at 5:55 am

    I love the iguana so much! I’m big into lizards because we got a gecko in October. He’s so cute!

    The birds are so pretty as well.

    Reply
  4. Carol

    March 24, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Beautiful photos of some of my favorite Florida birds, thanks

    Reply
  5. Lydia C. Lee

    March 24, 2020 at 10:34 am

    Great pics!!

    Reply
  6. Rachel Day

    March 23, 2020 at 9:15 pm

    This looks like a great place to visit. And thus post is so informative. We will add it to our list for when we’re next in Florida. My parents have a house near Englewood. 😀

    Reply
  7. Cris F.

    March 23, 2020 at 4:35 am

    I just love it when someone loves natural Florida as much as I do! This is my favorite part of my home state, the wildlife and natural beauty.

    Reply
  8. Francesca

    March 23, 2020 at 3:30 am

    This looks like such a peaceful place! I would love to see the birds and the alligators although I’d definitely be glad of the barrier that prevents them from getting too close!

    Reply
  9. Janice J. Dunford

    May 14, 2019 at 9:26 am

    Its Free and diversified in plants and animals and water related creatures. A must see, wheelchair friendly, shade areas, no mosquitos, lots of birds.
    Even little bunnies, alligators, noisy baby birds, wood storks, turtles, fish, Iquanas (few, they eat the baby eggs :().The Anhinga beautiful water bird, swims underwater to eat. And I saw a stilt, 10ft fat alligator, bunting bird,, soft shell turtle laying eggs Mosquito fish. Bird nests full in April best time.

    Reply
  10. Anda

    November 4, 2018 at 5:34 pm

    Wakodahatchee Wetlands look amazing. What a diversity of birds, plants and animals! I am not particularly fond of swamps, but your pictures surely make this place look like a must-see.

    Reply
  11. Leah

    October 25, 2018 at 11:40 pm

    The dragonflies sitting on a plastic water bottle isn’t he? The green is a flip up straw, the red is the lid then in the water you can partially see the rest of the bottle under the water. Shame really 🙁

    Reply
  12. Juliette

    October 20, 2018 at 10:13 am

    Beautiful! I love the cattle egret – check out his mohawk! Punk bird. I love watching wildlife…but I must admit I wouldn’t want to get too close to that alligator! That actually terrifies me!

    Reply
  13. Sandy N Vyjay

    October 19, 2018 at 8:39 pm

    The bio-diversity of Wakodahatchee Wetlands looks amazing. Your pictures bring to life in vibrant colour the birds and alligators of Wakodahatchee Wetlands. The tri-coloured Heron and the Cattle Egret look really beautiful. The alligator, of course, looks deadly in spite of its somnolence.

    Reply
  14. Michael Hodgson

    October 19, 2018 at 3:49 am

    Love nature preserves like this. Have not been to Wakodahatchee but have added it to my list to visit next time we are wandering through Florida. Nice job on the wildlife photos … not easy to do. What camera and lens were you using? Being that you love nature photography you might want to add a canoe trip through the Everglades or Okefenokee Swamp (up on the Florida / Georgia border). Spring is a great time as the flowers are blooming, the birds nesting and the alligators are coming out of a bit of hibernation. I can guarantee you will garner some superb photos!

    Reply
  15. Yukti

    October 18, 2018 at 9:44 pm

    You have taken stunning shots of wildlife as if we are reading some National Geographic Magazine, especially that blue heron catching its prey. It is great to know that Wakodahatchee Wetland boardwalk is created for conserving water and though it is man made but it looks very natural.

    Reply
  16. Joanne

    October 18, 2018 at 2:52 am

    We’ve visited Florida many times with the kids but have never escaped the theme parks long enough to explore the real Florida. The wetlands are amazing and your photography is simply beautiful. I love that you could take such great photos of the local birds and alligators.

    Reply
  17. Heather

    October 17, 2018 at 10:13 am

    First off, the photo of the blue heron with its catch is AMAZING as is the capturing of the Snowy Egret in flight, wow!! I absolutely love wildlife and seeing them naturally in their habitats so Wakodahatchee would be perfect for me! How close were you to the nesting alligator? She definitely looks chill, but they are so quick on the move too. Good to know that both entry and parking is free!

    Reply
  18. Susanne

    October 17, 2018 at 12:16 am

    What a nice place. I like to watch birds and know that getting great photos is not always easy. Often they move so fast that it is hard to “catch the moment”. Your pictures have become really great.
    The iguana definitely enjoyed the sun. He looks like nothing bothers him.

    Reply
  19. Lara Dunning

    October 16, 2018 at 7:59 am

    You saw so many birds here! I’ve seen egrets before but I’m not sure I’ve seen a Cattle egret. When I travel visiting natural places like this is high on my list. Thanks for putting this “best of” park on my radar.

    Reply
  20. Carol Colborn

    October 15, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    You captured the Birds and Alligators of Wakodahatchee Wetlands so well in your camera!

    Reply
  21. Sharon

    October 15, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    Your photos are so clear. The feathered creatures look so beautiful, especially the herons.

    Reply
  22. Paul Pietrangelo

    October 13, 2018 at 7:57 am

    These were some were very colorful birds. Were the birds ever attacked by the alligators? See ya Rhonda.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply
  23. Ryan Biddulph

    October 12, 2018 at 11:27 am

    That great blue heron shot is eye-popping Rhonda. Amazing.

    Reply
  24. Carol

    May 26, 2016 at 12:18 am

    Love the Florida photos – I am currently living on the west coast of Florida, love the birds and even the alligators.

    Reply
  25. Lisa @ LTTL

    May 21, 2016 at 5:43 am

    I have been to these wetland, eons ago. Your bird shots are especially lovely….

    Lisa @ Life Thru the Lens

    Reply
  26. Cascia Talbert

    May 20, 2016 at 6:13 am

    Your photos are beautiful! I especially love the birds.

    Reply
  27. Becky

    May 20, 2016 at 3:28 am

    Your shots are absolutely magnificent!

    Reply
  28. Sandee

    May 16, 2016 at 10:14 am

    I’ve not visited there. I’ll go for the birds. We have so many right here and we so enjoy seeing them.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    Reply
  29. Indah Nuria

    May 16, 2016 at 9:15 am

    We have seen alligators here, in Australia and Indonesia. Interesting indeed but I prefer birds. The pretty ones especially 🙂

    Reply
  30. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

    May 16, 2016 at 2:06 am

    Those are great anhinga pictures! Looks like a nice place for a visit. Hope you’re enjoying your travels.

    Reply
  31. Paul F. Pietrangelo

    May 16, 2016 at 1:14 am

    I love Florida I understand that unfortunately the python has now created a mess since someone dropped it in wetlands and there are so many of them that they are destroying the animals in the area, even to the point of getting into homes and playgrounds in the area.
    I’m glad that you are having such a great time my friend. See ya Rhonda.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply
  32. Kyla Matton Osborne (Ruby3881)

    May 16, 2016 at 12:51 am

    Those are some pretty striking birds! I especially liked the looks of that reddish one you couldn’t identify. He’s got a lovely colour to him.

    Reply
  33. Alex J. Cavanaugh

    May 16, 2016 at 12:20 am

    Amazing to see so many chicks.

    Reply

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