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© Rebecca Anthony

Circle B Bar Reserve

27.99613 , -81.86470

United States of America (USA)

The Circle B Bar Reserve is located just a short drive away from the downtown Lakeland area of Polk county, Florida. When you enter the property, there's a small pine/oak forest which quickly opens into a marshy wetlands area. The ponds are shallow enough to provide foraging for ducks, wading birds, and shore birds. Some of the bird species seen regularly are Limpkins, Wood Stork, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Green Heron, Sandhill Crane and Purple Gallinule. There's a dry field habitat in the back of the property perfect for wintering sparrows. This area has several of the southeastern specialty bird species that visitors to Florida would love to see and is conveiently located in Central Florida between Tampa and Orlando.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 27.9961/-81.8647 (2021-04-18 10:19:30 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Circle B Bar Reserve" (2021-04-18 10:19:30 )

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2021-12-09 10:27:01
The Circle B Bar Reserve is located just a short drive away from the downtown Lakeland area of Polk county, Florida. When you enter the property, there's a small pine/oak forest which quickly opens into a marshy wetlands area. The ponds are shallow enough to provide foraging for ducks, wading birds, and shore birds. Some of the bird species seen regularly are Limpkins, Wood Stork, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Green Heron, Sandhill Crane and Purple Gallinule. There's a dry field habitat in the back of the property perfect for wintering sparrows. This area has several of the southeastern specialty bird species that visitors to Florida would love to see and is conveiently located in Central Florida between Tampa and Orlando.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:51:55)

Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:51:38)

Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:51:20)

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:51:05)

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:50:11)

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:49:56)

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:49:45)

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:49:35)

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) was added by Rebecca Anthony (2021-12-09 10:49:24)

  • Timing and strategy

The best time of the year to visit this property would probably be winter, although there are several resident bird species here as well. So any time of the year would make for a fun birding day. In the winter you'll see ducks, sparrows, Painted Bunting, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Blue-headed Vireo. In the summer you might see a majestic Swallow-tailed Kite soaring above. I'd recommend exploring each habitat as they are laid out from the main entrance and visitor center. Start with the small forest and look for warblers and songbirds early in the morning. Then visit the wetland where you'll find amazing photographic opportunities. Then take a walk through the dry field habitat where you might be lucky enough to find a Field Sparrow in the winter. This property only allows walking, but I do believe it's ADA accessible. 

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2021-12-09 10:38
The best time of the year to visit this property would probably be winter, although there are several resident bird species here as well. So any time of the year would make for a fun birding day. In the winter you'll see ducks, sparrows, Painted Bunting, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Blue-headed Vireo. In the summer you might see a majestic Swallow-tailed Kite soaring above. I'd recommend exploring each habitat as they are laid out from the main entrance and visitor center. Start with the small forest and look for warblers and songbirds early in the morning. Then visit the wetland where you'll find amazing photographic opportunities. Then take a walk through the dry field habitat where you might be lucky enough to find a Field Sparrow in the winter. This property only allows walking, but I do believe it's ADA accessible. 
  • How to get there

Take I-4 either west from Orlando or east from Tampa and you'll arrive in the city of Lakeland.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2021-12-09 10:39
Take I-4 either west from Orlando or east from Tampa and you'll arrive in the city of Lakeland.

There's no entry fee for this reserve. It's open from 5:30am-8pm daily.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2021-12-09 10:40
There's no entry fee for this reserve. It's open from 5:30am-8pm daily.
  • Other attractions

Nine-banded Armadillo, Raccoon, Bobcat, River otter, American Alligators, and plenty of butterfly species also reside here.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2021-12-09 10:42
Nine-banded Armadillo, Raccoon, Bobcat, River otter, American Alligators, and plenty of butterfly species also reside here.

I believe the only restrooms on the property are located at the visitors center.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Rebecca Anthony on 2021-12-09 10:43
I believe the only restrooms on the property are located at the visitors center.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
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Circle B Bar Reserve - Orniverse