The Eco-Walk Trail at Crystal River Preserve State Park is a 2.2-mile walking trail. It is an easy well-developed walking trail (not paved) with interpretive signs around the trail explaining the habitats. The trail includes habitats of the Oak Grove, the Spring, the Sabal Palm Oasis, the Turtle Pond, the Knoll, the Hardwood Swamp, the Fork in the Road, the Hammock, the Saw grass Marsh, the Crossing, and the Pinewoods. Each of these areas provides habitats for a wide variety of bird life.

The Eco-Walk is located on Tallahassee Road. Go north on US19 from Crystal River to the blinker light at Seven Rivers Hospital. Turn left at Curtis Tool Road. Go west on Curtis Tool Road to the entrance to the Buffer Preserve. The trailhead is at the parking lot.

The Eco-walk Trail provides as stated above a varied birding habitat. Suggest early morning walk around the trail. There are benches around the trail, so frequent stops are in order to let the birds come to you.

This trail is an upland mixed pine, oak, and pasture that brings a large variety of passerines, as well as hawks and wading birds. Swallow tailed kites are common in spring and summer when it is also possible to find soaring Mississippi kites. Other birds sighted are nesting yellow-breasted chats. Spring is a great time to follow the warbler migration. Look for scrub jays on the north end of the preserve along the fence on the Florida Power Plant Road.

PDF file of ChurchHouse Birding Trail by Keith Morin

Trail Maps by Dean Rusk, SWFWMD