Florida Lake

The Florida Lake Conservation and Recreation Area is a birder-friendly property preserved by the Town of Freeport and its partners. Its 167 acres protects a small lake and surrounding uplands. Several trails wind through differing habitats, including emergent marsh, shrub swamp, forested wetland, and wooded upland. As a result, an ample number of typical species can be found here. The lake is attractive to waterfowl in migration, and some linger through summer. American bitterns and other wading birds take advantage of the shallows. Florida Lake has also proven to be productive in winter, with noteworthy sightings of pine grosbeaks, Bohemian waxwings, and northern shrikes.

Directions: From I-295, take Freeport Exit 22 and head west off the highway. Florida Lake is 3.1 miles from the I-295 exit. From the exit, turn right onto Route 136/125, and continue to follow Route 125 when it diverges from 136 a half-mile later. After about a 1.5 miles, look for the Florida Lake sign on the right. The access road runs behind some small homes to reach the parking lot 500 feet into the property.