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eBird Hotspot pages include an "About" section that provides essential information for birders visiting that location. This content helps birders plan their visits and understand what to expect at each hotspot.


QUICK LINKS


Did You Know? eBird's Hotspot content builds on the pioneering work of Ken Ostermiller and Adam Jackson, who developed the original Birding Hotspots platform and laid the foundation for eBird's Hotspot content features. We are grateful to Ken, Adam, and the entire Birding Hotspots community. Their initial work to curate and share location-specific birding knowledge have been instrumental in helping others discover and explore birding sites worldwide. Thank you!

About This Hotspot


About This Hotspot features informative descriptions written by eBirders. Each free-text section supports basic formatting (bold, italics, links) as well as multi-language translation capabilities and embedded species names that provide direct links to eBird species pages and display bird names in the reader's preferred common names language.


Plan your Visit

Everything you need to know before you go. This section provides logistical information to plan an informed visit, including:

  •  entrance fees,
  •  permit requirements
  • operating hours
  • directions
  • parking details
  • amenities
  • accessibility notes.

Include key details visitors should be aware of ahead of time—such as special rules and seasonal closures—that could impact their visit.


If a site is Restricted Access, explain the nature of that restriction here. Is there a process for members of the public to request access permission, or is the site only accessible to authorized individuals (residents, staff, guides, etc.)?


How to Bird Here

Advice for birders to optimize their time and enjoy the site to its fullest. This section provides guidance for what to do when you arrive, including:

  • notable trails
  • key habitats
  • important routes or stops
  • species of interest and where to find them
  • seasonal strategies

As well as tips and strategies to make the most of the birding experience.


About this Place

Broader context and background information to deepen readers' understanding and appreciation of the Hotspot. Share details about the site’s:

  • history and significance
  • ownership and management
  • conservation efforts
  • broader ecological context
  • interesting research

Along with any key partnerships, collaborations, or additional resources.


Use this section to tell the Hotspot’s story, highlight its importance, and share insightful details that aren’t directly related to trip planning or birding.


For locations that are part of a Hotspot Group, the Parent hotspot contains general information that applies to the entire area. An excerpt from this content automatically appears on below site-specific information for each individual hotspot in the group. For more information see Hotspot Groups.

Hotspot Features

Hotspot Features highlight key information and essential details about a site to help birders make informed decisions about where to go birding, plan and prepare for their visit, and set expectations.


Operating Hours and Amenities

All Hotspots should be assumed to have operating hours unless otherwise noted. Provide details under “Plan your Visit” and/or include the official website under Links.

Amenities are Features that enhance the comfort, convenience, or enjoyment of someone’s birding experience.

  • Amenity availability only applies during operating hours.
  • Amenities may not always be available, even during operating hours.
  • Some amenities may be seasonal, or only available on certain days of the week—indicate these in the “Plan your Visit” section.


Selecting Yes, No, or Unknown

Every Hotspot Feature is marked Yes, No, or Unknown, with Unknown as the default state. Anyone with an eBird account can suggest a change, including reverting a feature from Yes/No back to Unknown.


What about ‘Sometimes’?

Choose Yes or No based on how often and under what conditions the feature is applicable to typical visitors.


An amenity can remain ‘Yes’ even while it is temporarily closed. Consider noting the closure and expected duration in the ‘ “About—Plan your Visit” section. For extended closures, consider changing the feature to No.

Do not select ‘Yes’ if a feature applies less than 20% of the total time the site is open to visitors.

When in doubt—select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ based on when birders typically visit the site.

For example: a seasonal wetland where birders typically bring scopes to look for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Very few birders visit the area during the summer when the wetland is completely dry.

  • ‘Scope Recommended’ = Yes (most birders bring scopes when they visit
  • 'Seasonal’ = No (the site is accessible year-round, including times when it might not be considered “good” for birding)


Feature Definitions


Restricted Access

Access is limited to individuals with prior authorization.

This includes:

  • Private property accessible only to staff/volunteers, residents, guides, registered guests, etc.
  • Sites that require advance approval (e.g., permits or written permissions).
  • Sites with other specific criteria that you must meet before you are allowed to bird there.


Do not visit unless you are sure you meet the requirements!

Use the “About this Hotspot” content sections and Links to describe the access restrictions in greater detail.

What is NOT “Restricted Access”: Indicate the following conditions using other Features or in the “About This Hotspot” content sections.

  • Sites with posted operating hours.
  • Locations that charge an admission fee you can pay on the day of your visit, especially if you can pay on-site.
  • Hotspots intended to be birded from the perimeter or a public right-of-way.


Is an airport Restricted Access?

It depends on whether it can be birded from publicly-accessible areas (not restricted) or if only ticketed passengers can access birdable areas (restricted).


What about sites where authorized people are allowed to enter but everyone can bird from the perimeter?

If key species can only be detected from within the restricted zone, consider separate hotspots for public and restricted areas. If the same species are detectable from both the perimeter and interior, use a single hotspot and provide further guidance in the “About This Hotspot” content sections.


Seasonal Access

This site has predictable scheduled closures beyond daily operating hours, lasting more than a month each year. For example, a wildlife refuge off-limits during nesting season, or a mountain lodge closed during the winter months.
Seasonal does NOT include sites that might be temporarily inaccessible due to weather, flooding, or road conditions or other unpredictable closures. 


In short:

  • Seasonal = "Don't plan to visit during [specific months]"
  • Not Seasonal = "You can visit year-round, but check conditions first"


Entrance Fee

This location requires you to pay a fee to visit.


Fees include tickets, permits, passes, and other entrance charges, whether payable in advance or in-person on arrival. Even if entrance is free, you may still need to pay for parking or additional services—these should be noted in the “Plan Your Visit” section.


Restrooms

This location provides public toilets during operating hours. This includes vault toilets, portable toilets, and other bathroom facilities, whether or not they have sinks or running water.


Parking

This location has a designated off-street parking area for visitors during operating hours.


If the parking area:

  • is off-site or a long walking distance from the Hotspot;
  • requires an additional fee beyond any normal entrance costs

Please note this in the “Plan Your Visit” section.


Accessibility Features

This location has features designed with access in mind—i.e., facilities that consider people who experience accessibility challenges. This designation helps identify sites that may be more appropriate for inclusive birding outings. For more information, visit Birdability's Access Considerations for Birding Locations.


Observation Structures

This site has constructed elements designed to enhance a stationary birding experience. This includes observation blinds, platforms, towers, and seating like benches, picnic tables, or designated sit spots.


This site offers significantly better birding opportunities if you bring a spotting scope. Birds are often far away or viewed at a distance across large open areas.


Birding From Car

This location can be effectively birded from within a vehicle, whether optional or as the primary method. This includes roadside birding, auto tour routes, as well as game drives where staying in your vehicle is required.


Beginner-Friendly

This is a good location for someone who is just getting started birding; you would recommend this site to a new birder. 


Each hotspot has one prominently highlighted "Official Website" link, plus an unlimited number of additional links to external webpages with additional resources (trail maps, visitor pages, etc.)


Links are added and managed by eBird Hotspot Editors and accounts with content editing permissions. To suggest a link for a particular hotspot, use 'Suggest Content' > Note to Editor section.

Suggesting Changes


eBird uses a collaborative approach to build comprehensive hotspot information. Anyone with an eBird account can suggest content additions or changes via the 'Suggest Content' button on a hotspot's About page. Suggestions may be reviewed by eBird volunteers and local experts before they are publicly visible.


Content Guidelines

Suggesters are responsible for ensuring their submitted information is accurate to the best of their ability. All suggested content should be relevant to the specific hotspot you are describing.


Your submissions should be written, researched, and verified by you. Avoid copying and pasting text from other sources. If you do include quoted material, use quotation marks and provide clear attribution to the original author.


Suggestions that violate our Community Guidelines or Terms of Use may result in the account and all associated data being permanently set to Not Public.