Celery Fields
A stormwater wetland converted from a former celery farm. Boardwalks and bird blinds offer views of large numbers of waterbirds, making it one of southwest Florida's best-known free birdwatching spots.
The Celery Fields lie on the east side of Sarasota. In the 20th century this was a large celery farm. In the 1990s it was converted into a flood-control wetland, and it is now a bird paradise, with more than 200 bird species recorded. The wetland has boardwalks, bird blinds, and an artificial hill about 25 meters high. From the top you can overlook the entire wetland. In winter you often see egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, rails, sandhill cranes, and ducks, and occasionally alligators. Admission is free, there is a parking lot nearby, and volunteers from the Audubon Society often give birding talks on weekends. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon, and bringing binoculars is recommended.
Opening hours
Sunrise to sunset
Nearby sights
- Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
- Bayfront Park & Unconditional Surrender
- Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- Siesta Key Beach
- Turtle Beach (Siesta Key)
- Lido Key Mangrove Tunnels
- The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art