Swamp Woodlands
Winding along a creek, the path and boardwalk are shaded by bay, sugarberry and red maple trees. Box turtles hide in the leaf litter on the forest floor. The star-bellied spiders weave their perfect web between the branches.
Pine Flatwoods
Like the columns of a forest mansion, tall pines shade the path. This is borderland between the scrub and the broad-leafed forest. Southern oaks provide a canopy for blue jays and cardinals and a food source for fox squirrels. Lizards flash through the sunlit patches in their pursuit of an insect meal.
Sand Scrub Trail
More than 12,000 years ago Florida was almost twice its current size. This place was the center of a vast scrubland stretching from horizon to horizon. Today, turkey oak, sand pine, and wiregrass hint of that distant time. Fall wild flowers cover these fields with color. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is the home of the gopher tortoise. This is one of the most endangered habitats in the world.
Butterflies
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a magical butterfly garden for most of the year, with 22 different kinds of butterflies identified here. Wide yellow wings drift through sun dappled shadows. Black and yellow zebra long wing and tiger swallowtails float overhead. Orange and iridescent green wings are like jewels hovering among the wild flowers.
Birding
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is part of the Florida Birding Trail and is a great place to enjoy a variety of birds including eagles, shore birds, and migratory birds. Binoculars are available for loan at the information counter thanks to a generous donation by Brunton.
The Aviary
An aviary is home to permanently injured birds of prey including an eagle, turkey vultures, hawks, and owls.
Picnic Areas
Picnic areas with grills are available near the parking area with a common playground.
Parks Main
