John Groskopf

Purple Gallinule © Robert Royse

Experience, Care, and Local Knowledge

About John Groskopf

A true Floridian, John was born and has lived in Florida his entire life. While he has always been drawn to birds—his mother says his first word was “bird”—he began seriously birding in late 2017. Since then, he has traveled extensively throughout the peninsula, searching not only for Florida’s birds but also for the unique habitats and communities that define the state, all while balancing his career as a Registered Nurse.

John has a particular affinity for pelagic birding and seawatching, as well as birding the tropical hardwood hammocks of southern Florida and the Florida Keys. He’s equally enthusiastic about a landfill trip for gulling. John values the social and community aspects of birding as much as the thrill of a good chase and hopes to continue elevating and expanding Florida’s birding community.

He currently serves on the Florida Ornithological Society’s Records Committee and is a statewide Florida eBird reviewer.

Reviews

“My girlfriend and I visited Florida in January 2025 and booked a birding tour with John G. around the Naples area. John was super friendly and knew so much about the local birds. He took us to a mix of nature parks and more remote spots, so we could enjoy birdwatching without the crowds. He was also really flexible, letting us take our time at each stop, which made the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable. Before the trip, communication was great—we got to customize our itinerary and focus on the birds we wanted to see. John even adjusted the schedule as needed to make sure everything worked out perfectly. I highly recommend Florida Birding Guides. They cover several areas in the state, and our experience with them was fantastic!” – Brian M.

“I had a great day birding around Sarasota County with John G.! He’s an excellent, friendly guide and knowledgeable about many of the plants and insects as well. We saw more species than I expected, and he shared tons of useful knowledge about local spots, especially those that are not well represented in eBird.” – Shayna M.

“John G. was a superb guide. He has encyclopedic knowledge, a great ear, and even better eyes. I greatly enjoyed my time with him. Everything was scheduled smoothly, and he was extremely attentive.” – Peter K

“We were connected with John Groskopf, who was an excellent guide. He was very familiar with Southwest Florida hotspots and birds. Planning our full day with him went smoothly. On the day of, he was prompt, friendly, and enthusiastic. With his help, we found the rare red-cockaded woodpecker and brown-headed nuthatch, as well as a breeding pair of Barred Owls! He even gave us great advice for birding on our own. Thanks again, John!”

Excellent knowledgeable guide, despite being a very built up region, John knew where to go for the best birding opportunities.” – Keith B.

“I have been on many pelagic trips with John Groskopf. He is an avid birder and would be a wonderful guide on land or sea.” – Anne R.

“I went on another great pelagic trip with John G. In the Gulf of Mexico. His knowledge of birds is extensive. He’s able to spot birds of interest at a great distance which leads to productive trips. I often go to John G. as a resource when I have questions on my bird photos or general bird questions about IDs and he’s very responsive in sharing his bird knowledge. I consider John G. one of the top birders in the state of FL and it’s uncanny how he’s often the first to spot the rarities.” – John S.

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