Pelican perching at the edge of a pool at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary.
Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
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The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and hopeful release of sick, injured, and orphaned native wild birds, and spreading conservation awareness through education and community engagement. The heart of our operations is the Dr. Marie L. Farr Avian Hospital, where our small team of staff and volunteers care for approximately 3,500 birds every year. We are also home to over 80 permanently injured resident birds, and we collaborate with multiple organizations to find permanent homes for birds who are unable to be released but are able to have a good quality of life in captivity. Our Sanctuary is open to visitors 365 days a year, and admission is free to ensure everyone in our community has the opportunity to learn about our amazing local wildlife. We have an active presence in our community through local partnerships, and our team of volunteers and "Avian Ambassadors" attend schools, events, and functions throughout the Tampa Bay area in addition to hosting events on-site. We are currently working to renovate and improve our enclosures to ensure the highest quality of care for both our patients and resident birds, and develop new projects and collaborations that highlight the habitat that our local wildlife depend on. As an organization that relies solely on donations and community grants, we hope you'll consider supporting our mission so that we can continue this important work.
Cybil is one of our Avian Ambassadors here at Seaside Seabird Sanctuary! She was admitted to our hospital in 2020 after being hit by a car, and her wing unfortunately did not heal well enough for her to be released back into the wild.
Our "Pelican Pavilion" is used for educational presentations and talks, and is also a fun hang-out spot for some of our wild visitors!
Ollie is one of our resident American White Pelicans who live at the Sanctuary! These magnificent birds migrate to Florida every year from the Midwest and are here from November through March. Fort DeSoto Park is an excellent location to spot them, but you can see them year round here at the Sanctuary!
Phantom is one of our Avian Ambassadors here at the Sanctuary, and she was admitted to our hospital with a fracture in her left wrist. Unfortunately, it did not heal well enough for her to be released back into the wild.
Every 6-8 weeks we invite the community out to attend our Bird Releases on the beach behind the Sanctuary! During these events, our staff and volunteers release successfully rehabilitated Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, and Gulls. Many of these patients are admitted due to fishing line or hook injuries, and their time in care can range from 10 days to 6 months! This is a wonderful opportunity for photos, and it is a celebration.
One of the most peaceful areas in the Sanctuary is our Shade Garden. Surrounded by mature sea grape trees, this area is always at least 10 degrees cooler and is home to our resident American White Pelicans.
Lars is one of our Avian Ambassadors, and he was admitted to our hospital with a previously healed wing fracture that was unable to be treated.
During your next visit to our friends at CMA, be sure to look for some of our Avian Ambassadors! We love visiting the aquarium and interacting with their guests.
We frequently attend events throughout the Tampa Bay area with our Avian Ambassadors, so be sure to look for us!
Cypress is one of our Avian Ambassadors, and she was transferred to us from our friends at Owl's Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife! Cypress was hit by a car, and her left wrist was badly damaged leaving her unable to fly.
In addition to our Sanctuary that is open 365 days a year for visitors, our Dr. Marie L. Farr Hospital is the true heart of our operation. We admit 3,000-3,500 injured, orphaned, and sick wild birds every year, and we treat all species of birds native to Florida. Our hospital accepts injured birds 24 hours a day, and we have a team of rescue volunteers who respond to calls regarding injured birds from 8am-8pm.
Thanks to a grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, we have started propagating Red Mangrove trees to begin restoration efforts throughout Pinellas county. We will be partnering with multiple organizations to identify key areas in need of restoration.
Our Sanctuary is also home to a small Eco-Discovery Center that is home to aquatic animals that are native to Pinellas County!
Chino is one of our Avian Ambassadors, and she was admitted to our hospital in 2020 after being hit by a car. She is blind in her right eye, and her right wing sustained a fracture that did not heal well enough for her to be released.
We are so glad to have 4 beautiful murals by artist Connor Poovey throughout the Sanctuary that highlight Florida landscapes and some of the birds that we see most often in our hospital.
Meatball is one of our newest permanent residents and Avian Ambassador in training, and he was admitted to our hospital in 2023 with an already healed wing fracture.
We are honored to be able to visit classrooms throughout Pinellas County to educate students about the Sanctuary and our birds, and we also host several field trips every year.
accessible features
- Accessible parking
- Accessible restroom
discounts
- Military Discount
- Senior Citizen Discount
general information
- Family-friendly
- Free WiFi available
- Free admission
- Free parking on-site
- Hours 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
- LGBTQ+ Friendly
- Pets on leash allowed
- Street or off-site parking
- WiFi available
rates times
- Time to Experience Activity 1 - 2 hours