The Space Coast is an amazing place for birders and wildlife enthusiasts. Winter brings species such as White Pelicans, Belted Kingfishers, Palm Warblers, and Yellow-Rumped Warblers. Spring and fall migration sees lots of species passing through, while summer (although hot) features shorebirds and our beloved Swallow-tailed Kites. The endemic Florida Scrub-jay is found here year-round. Beyond birds, you can also see manatee, dolphin, several kinds of sea turtles, Gopher Tortoises, and lots of insects. This page will help you find places to bird, guides to help, and other resources.
Birding Hotspots
Brevard County has tons of wonderful places to go birding. For a list of recommendations, visit our Birding Hotspots page.
Additionally, there are many locations to consider in other nearby counties such as Orange County, Volusia County, and Indian River County.
Birding Guides / Tours
Chapter members who offer guide services include:
David Simpson
https://birdingwithdavidsimpson.com
Brevard County Bird Checklist
This list was compiled from 1983 to 2004 from observations by the members of the Space Coast Audubon Society and other qualified birders. This list is in accordance with the 1998 seventh edition of the AOU Checklist and its supplements.
Resources for Birders
Birds
- Read and follow the Code of Birding Ethics from the American Birding Association
- Check out Dee Fairbanks Simpson’s awesome videos for our Audubon in Action garden at Hundred Acre Hollows! Click here
- Find people to go birding with: http://www.birdingpal.org/
- A Birder’s Guide to Migration in Indian River County (just south of Brevard): https://pelicanislandaudubon.org/2020/09/15/a-birders-guide-to-migration-in-indian-river-county/
- Free online eBird Essentials course from Cornell
- Great Backyard Bird Count slideshow
Insects
- Florida Native Bees (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/FloridaNativeBees/