As you drive throughout the Gulf Coast, you may note new signs marking Great Florida Birding Trail sites. Gulf Breeze's Shoreline Park offers trails amongst its woodland areas or along its shore and multiple species of birds can be spotted, including a bald eagle and a clapper rail hiding in the reeds by the sound. Several species of heron and ibis, along with green-winged and blue-winged teals and loons could be seen. Ospreys fly overhead, and pelicans and gulls are everywhere.

The Florida Panhandle offers outstanding birding experiences and few crowds, with sought-after species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, swallow-tailed and Mississippi kites, snowy plover, Swainson's warbler, Sprague's pipit and a remarkable diversity of winter visitors (including hummingbirds) not typically found in the peninsula. The Panhandle's coastline is an important migration corridor for waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds and birds of prey.

Lucy Duncan, longtime Gulf Breeze resident, is an avid birdwatcher. "I've been birding since 1967 - enjoying nature in every aspect. Birding goes along with canoeing, hiking or just strolling. It integrates into every day life."

Birdwatching, or 'birding,' can be taken to any level you want - some go birding on a very scientific level in their approach, others mainly photograph birds and many people

just love their back yard feeders and gardens to welcome birds. You can take it to any level, at any economic level; all you need is a Field Guide and binoculars, according to Duncan.

Sites were chosen based on availability of birds, accessibility and safety among other factors. Duncan says Shoreline Park South is very unique in that it offers a variety of habitats.

"The park is comprised of relic coastal oak woodlands with magnificent large wild oaks and native understory, a truly unique habitat. Plus it offers several protected habitats - coastal woodland, coastal, sound, shore and marsh. Its magnificent."

Nearby, Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola is one of the Panhandle's gateway sites and provides extensive trail-related resources, with loaner optics available on site. Gateway sites also act as hubs of regional birding information. Field guides in both English and Spanish are provided to enable visitors to identify which birds they are viewing. Additional materials for beginning bird watchers also are available.

Other sites in Escambia County include Gulf Islands National Seashore, Perdido Key Area; Trout Point Nature Trail; Tarkiln Bayou State Park, ECUA Bayou Marcus Wetlands, University of West Florida, Edward Ball Nature

Trail; Pensacola Wayside Park and Visitor Information Center; Project Greenshores; Gulf Islands National Seashore: Ft. Pickens Area (Limited access due to hurricane damage); and the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier.

Santa Rosa County boasts Gulf Islands National Seashore, Naval Live Oaks Area; Garcon Point; Blackwater River State Park and Forest; Blackwater Fisheries Center; Clear Creek Nature Trail; and Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton as options for birding.

Mark Kiser, who oversees the Great Florida Birding Trail for the Florida Wildlife Commission, credits Audubon of Florida for their important role in the creation of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

And its economic impact cannot be diminished. Birding is big business in Florida, and the Great Florida Birding Trail is an integral part of the Sunshine State's $5.2 billion wildlife viewing industry.

According to the FWC, more people travel to Florida to see wildlife than to any other state.

For more information on the Great Florida Birding Trail, check them out on the web at www.FloridaBirdingTrail.com.