The Space Coast’s Best Known Birding & Wildlife Sites


The Space Coast Distinction

A unique combination of high tech space travel and an unmatched diverse, natural environment. The Indian River Lagoon, America’s most diverse estuary, is home to more than 4,000 species of birds, plants, animals, including 30 endangered species. The Florida Scrub Jay (Florida’s only endemic bird), Bald Eagle, Manatee, nesting sea turtles and several endemic plant species call Brevard home. Enjoy your journey into Space Coast’s natural environment!

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Merritt Island NWR is one of the top birding sites along the Florida Atlantic coast. To reach the refuge from US1 in Titusville, go east on SR406 across the Indian River Lagoon. Scan the duck flocks carefully in the river along the causeway. An Oldsquaw wintered here last year. There are many impoundment areas on MINWR, and vehicles are allowed on many of the dike roads. In winter, waterfowl and American Coots are abundant here; this is also a good site for Northern Pintails. A few Eurasian Widgeons are found here almost annually. Cinnamon Teal occasionally. One of the most productive parts of MINWR is a one-way driving loop. The Blackpoint Wildlife Drive features wading birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, terns, raptors, American White Pelicans, and Brown Pelicans..

Most of the interior of MINWR is covered by vast scrub lands. Combined with Canaveral Seashore, the refuge contains the world’s largest population of Florida Scrub Jays. Upland hammocks (also oak and palm hammock trails) may contain migratory land birds during spring and fall.

For information: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, P 0 Box 6504, Titusville, FL 32782-6504, phone (321) 861-0667.


Canaveral National Seashore

East of MINWR is Canaveral National Seashore. To reach CNS from Titusville, go east on SR406 then go right on SR402. You will pass through scrub lands where Florida Scrub Jays can usually be seen near the pay station (entrance fee $5). It is hard to ignore the Space Shuttle launch towers on the right as you drive toward the beach. The road passes slightly over three miles from the northernmost launch pad. The combination of the launch towers (especially if there’s a Shuttle on the pad) reflecting in a pond filled with wading birds and waterfowl is pretty hard to beat!

At Playalinda Beach the road turns north and runs parallel to the beach for five miles. Sand dunes are covered with saw palmettos, sea grapes, sea oats and other coastal strand habitat. There are many boardwalks over the dune to the unspoiled beach. An occasional break in the mangroves allows a good view of the Mosquito Lagoon to the west.

The beach contains wading birds, shorebirds, gulls and terns. The main draw here is the possibility of pelagic birds in fall and winter. On days with strong northeast or east winds, boobies, shearwaters, storm petrels, Northern Gannets and jaegers may be seen offshore. On the beach look for Sanderlings, Willets, Red Knots, Ruddy Tumstones, Blackbellied Plovers, Piping Plovers (rare), Laughing Gulls, Ringbilled Gulls, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Caspian Terns, Royal Terns, Sandwich Terns (rare), Common Terns (rare), Forsters Terns and Least Terns. In the fall, watch for migrating raptors. In addition to common species, Merlins and Peregrine Falcons are seen here regularly, and some winter at the seashore and the refuge.

On the way out, watch for a road (on the north side of SR402 two miles west of Playalinda Beach) which winds along the west shore of Mosquito Lagoon until it ends at SR3. In winter, wading birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls and terns can be common here as well as many raptors. For information:Canaveral National Seashore, 308 Julia St, Titusville, FL 32796-3521, phone (321) 267-11 1 0.


Hatbill Park, Seminole Ranch 

To get to Hatbill Park (a County park) go west on SR46, turn left 4.1 miles west of the I-95 intersection (exit 81) and SR46. Look for signs for Loughman Lake Lodge and Seminole Ranch Conservation Area. There are hiking trails in Seminole Ranch at 1.1, 2.3 and 4.1 miles from SR46. The road to Hatbill passes through a portion of the 28,745 acre Seminole Ranch. A variety of habitats are found here including pine, palmetto, hardwood hammocks, freshwater lakes river, and wetlands.

Certain areas have a unique plant community supported by connate saltwater which flows from small springs near Harney and Puzzle lakes. The salinity of small lakes in the area approaches one-third that of sea water. Many salt tolerant and marine-dwelling organisms present here are not found anywhere else in the St. Johns River.

Hatbill Park is a great place to be at sunrise. There are usually lots of wading birds and some small peeps along with Mottled and Wood Ducks and other waterfowl. There are Bobwhites and Meadowlarks as well as Red-winged Blackbirds, Boat-tailed and Common Grackles, Fish Crows and Anhingas. You can usually find Cardinals, Shrikes, Eastern (rufous-sided) Towhees and vireos here.

Working along the road you may see Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Sedge and Marsh Wrens, Swamp and Savannah Sparrows, and four species of woodpeckers (Pileated, Red-bellied, Downy and Flicker). Occasionally seen are Red-headed Woodpeckers and Yellowbellied Sapsuckers.

You can usually find Pine, Prairie, Black and White, Parula, Palm, Yellow-throated, and Yellow-rump Warblers in season. Many others may be found in migration. Solitary and whiteeyed Vireos are here as well as Red-eyed in migration. Bluegray Gnatcatchers and Brown-headed Nuthatches are usually around somewhere. Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and Screech Owls are also found here.

For information: St. Johns River Water Management District, Land Management Division, phone (407) 897-3411.


Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary

Ulumay is a mosquito impoundment which has good birding except during the hot summer months. The easiest way to reach the park is from the intersection of SR3 and SR520 in the town of Merritt Island. Go north on SR3 to the first traffic light (Merritt Ave), turn right and proceed east to the second traffic light and turn left, going north on Sykes Creek Parkway. Look for waterfowl on both side of the road. Cross the little bridge and turn left into the park. The entrance road dead ends at a fishing pier (vehicles are not permitted beyond this point). The trail goes both east and west. The east trail turns north to an observation tower. About a mile past the observation tower you reach an open area where you can observe waterfowl and other water birds. Ulumay is a mangrove/salt marsh habitat. It is good for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds and raptors. Bald Eagles are not uncommon and Black Rails have been seen here in the early morning in the short grass area.

For Information: Brevard County Parks and Recreation, 591 Cone Rd, Merritt Island, FL 32952, phone (321) 455-1312.


Jetty Park

Go east toward the ocean on SR528 from I-95. After you cross the Banana River turn left at the traffic light for the entrance to Port Canaveral (follow signs for South Docks and Jetty Park). Turn right at the stop sign on George King Blvd. Turn left on North Atlantic Ave., then right on Jetty Park Rd to Jetty Park. There is a fee for parking; please see their website for current details.

As you bird the jetty area, look across the submarine turning basin for winter birds. In addition to the regular water birds, Northern Gannets, jaegers and other seabirds may be seen offshore in the winter. On the beach look for Sanderlings, Willets, Red Knots, Ruddy Turnstones, Blackbellied Plovers, Piping Plovers (rare), Laughing Gulls, Ringbilled Gulls, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Caspian Terns, Royal Terns, Sandwich Terns (rare), Common Terns (rare), Foster’s Terns and Least Terns. Over and in the water look for Common Loons, Red-throated Loons (rare), Brown Pelicans, Magnificent Frigatebirds (rare) and Black Skimmers. Occasionally you may see a shrimp boat dragging near the shore with hundreds of birds following. These should be scanned for possible rare oceanic birds. Look north along the coast to see the land areas that form Cape Canaveral. When the air is clear you can see the missile gantries and the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. Offshore you may see freighters, fishing boats, submarines, or missile tracking ships.

The beach at Jetty Park plays host to hundreds of migrant gulls and terns in the fall, particularly in early November.  There are often dozens of Lesser black-backed as well as the occasional Franklin’s gull.

On the way back out, go west on George King Blvd, turning left on Mullet Rd and wind your way west, going under the SR401 bridge. Eventually you will end up at the Port Canaveral locks. There’s usually a lot of Brown Pelicans, wading birds, shorebirds, gulls and terns around the locks.

For information: Jetty Park, 400 E Jetty Rd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, phone (321) 783-7111. Camping available.


Lori Wilson Park

A hidden jewel. Due to ocean breezes the trees are shorter than normal creating a canopy that makes viewing warblers easier – they’re not as high up! The  best time to bird Lori Wilson is during migration when the weather has caused the warblers to drop down and take cover. Up to 20 species of warblers have been seen in one day! The entire trail is a boardwalk and is 1/4 mile long. Four times around and you’e walked a mile – in the shade!  this park allows you to see Florida habitat in its original state.Lori Wilson Park is a 32.43-acre regional beach park. The dunes and maritime hammock allow visitors to experience Florida’s natural coastline. Amenities include 3 pavilions along a 1,000’ boardwalk, 6 dune crossovers, year round lifeguards, and the Hammock Nature Trail. Restrooms, 3 outdoor showers, drinking fountains, and parking lots are conveniently located on both the north and south sides of the Hammock. Two medium pavilions, grills, a playground, an open grassy area, and a sand volleyball court are located on the north side. A grassy area and picnic tables are on the south side. The park also has an Off Lease Dog Park. Get here early to get parking during busy times. 1500 N. Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, Fl 32931 (N Atlantic is #A1A)

http://www.brevardcounty.us/ParksRecreation/Central/LoriWilson/Home


Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area

Sebastian Inlet, the best birding location on Brevard’s south beaches (over 190 species) is located 17.5 miles south of SR-192 on AlA. (Day parking fee $3.25 per vehicle). The tidal pool to the north is feeding ground for many shorebirds, wading birds, gulls and terns. Some unusual species have been observed here. Sandwich Terns frequent the area in the winter. Check the rocky area leading from the tidal pool to the inlet for Purple Sandpipers. American Oystercatchers and Reddish Egrets may be seen. Birding here is best in early morning before the area becomes crowded.

West of the tidal pool is a grassy area edged by woods; check here for migrants, woodpeckers and raptors. Look in the mangroves at the river’s edge for Blackwhiskered Vireos in the spring and summer. The dead Australian pines surrounding the field north of the tidal pond at Sebastian Inlet SRA frequently have migrant hawks, including Peregrines,  in fall. There are often Great horned owls at dawn or dusk

East of the tidal pool is the North Jetty, one of the most popular fishing and surfing spots on Florida’s east coast. In winter, on northeast and east winds look for pelagic species such as jaegers, gannets, and scoters.

North of the north side entrance (about 200 yards before you actually turn into the park) is a little known but lovely hammock trail to the river with a rough path circling south along the Indian River Lagoon and back to the main trail. This can be superior for migrants, warblers, and scaring up Chuck-will’s-widows in late winter and spring. Ask a ranger for specific direction to the trail entrance. (Note: South side of inlet bridge is in Indian River County, not Brevard County.)

For information: Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, 9700 Hwy Al A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951, phone (321) 984-4852. (camping available)


Turkey Creek Sanctuary

To get to this park, go south on US1 from SR192 about four miles and turn right (west) onto Port Malabar Blvd (this is not the same as Malabar Rd); drive 1.6 miles to the sanctuary entrance located in the southeast comer of Palm Bay Community Center area. From I-95 take exit 70A and go east on Palm Bay Rd, turn right at Babcock St (CR507) and proceed south; turn left on Port Malabar Blvd and continue east one mile to the Palm Bay Community Center, then turn right into the sanctuary.

Turkey Creek (a Florida Audubon Society-owned sanctuary) is probably best known for migratory warblers. At least 20 different warblers have been seen here in migration including Prothonotary,

Blackbumian, Golden-winged, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Wormeating, Prairie, Cerulean, and Yellow-throated Warblers, also waterthrushes and Ovenbirds. Turkey Creek has many different habitats including sand pine scrub, mesic hammock hydric hammock, palmetto scrub and some open grassy areas.

Part of the area is viewed only from a boardwalk, but some of the most productive birding is along the jogging trails check out both.

Turkey Creek is a blackwater creek, and the hydric hammock surrounding it supports such bird species as Carolina Wrens, Redstarts, Ospreys, owls, hawks, egrets, anhingas, , herons and cormorants; White Pelicans winter here. Other species include quail, Eastern (rufous-sided) Towhee, Mockingbirds, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Blue Grosbeaks, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Indigo and Painted Buntings, Red-eyed, Solitary and Yellow-throated Vireos, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and Northern Orioles. As you pass the deeper area of the creek, look for large swirls of water which indicate the presence of manatees. These gentle creatures can be seen munching water plants along the creek banks. This is also the best area for waterthrushes.

Park hours: 7:00 a.m. to sunset daily.

For information: Palm Bay Parks and Recreation Dept, 1502 Port Malabar Blvd, Palm Bay, FL 32905, phone (321) 952-3433.


St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve

To get to SSRBP, travel south (from Palm Bay) on I-95 to exit 70. Drive east about 1/4 mile; at traffic light turn right on Babcock St (CR507). Go south for about 11 miles and look to your left for SSRBP. The preserve entrance road is along the north side of the C-54 canal. If you cross the C-54 bridge, you’ve gone too far.

The SSRBP consists of well maintained long leaf pine flatwoods with a low understory of saw palmettos and grasses. A hardwood swamp traverses the property from west to east and enters into a blackwater creek. Bachman’s Sparrows are abundant and can be heard singing from February to July. Brown-headed Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebirds, Swallow-tailed Kites, Wild Turkeys and quail are common. Florida Scrub Jay may be seen on Scrub Jay Road. There are several colonies of red-cocked Woodpeckers. There is a hiking trail and four horse trails that birders may hike.

Hours: 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. The preserve gate is locked promptly at closing.

For information Florida Department of Environmental Protection, P.O. Box 350 Fellsmere, FL 32948, phone (321) 953-5004, fax (321) 953-5006.


The T.M. Goodwin Marsh is located on the St. Johns River Marsh in the southwest comer of Brevard County. Follow the directions for SSRBP above, but do cross over C-54 and the Fellesmere canals; turn right and go west along the canal for about six miles (this road is in Indian River County). From the parking area, walk north across the water control structure to access the preserve (you’re back in Brevard County). Goodwin is a series of water impoundments regulated for waterfowl. In the winter there are numerous wading birds, several species of ducks as well as numerous Coots, Moorhens, American Bitterns and rails. A bird of special interest is the Limpkin. Goodwin can be an excellent place for king rails.

The T.M. Goodwyn Marsh is a good spot for Black-bellied whistling ducks particularly at dawn or dusk.  They have nested here in the past.  Also, Whooping cranes have been seen with some regularity.  In  the early fall, usually around September, there can be hundreds of shorebirds when they begin to flood the impoundments for waterfowl.

For information: T.M. Goodwin Marsh Waterfowl Management Area Office, Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission, phone (321) 726-2862.


Rich Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera (aka, Viera Wetlands)

  • South Central Regional
  • Wastewater Treatment Facility
  • Constructed Wetlands System

Interim rules and regulations, Feb. 2019

  • The wetland site hours may vary throughout the year. Go to http://www.vw-fl.com for details
  • Please keep your vehicle on the improved roadway. When stopping, pull to the side so others can pass  Please do not block the roadway and limit speed to 10 miles per hour.
  • Vehicles and bicycles are allowed on the berm road.  Please limit your speed to 10 mph.
  • The berm road may be closed to vehicles following heavy rains. Check the website listed above for specifics
  • Firearms, fireworks, fires and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
  • Hunting, fishing, boating, swimming and wading are prohibited.
  • Please don’t feed wildlife.
  • Please stay off water control structures and pipes.
  • Harassing the wildlife is prohibited.
  • Please keep pets on a leash.
  • Please don’t litter.
  • The observation decks are closed when thunderstorms are in the area and/or when thunder is heard. Please return to your vehicle if you hear thunder.
  • Tours of the treatment plant can be scheduled with the plant supervisor.

Hours of Operation:
Jan.: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Daily
February and March: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Daily
April, May, June, July, August and September: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM Daily
Oct. 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Daily
Nov and Dec. 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Daily
November through January: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM Daily