If you are an avid birder then you have most likely heard of and been to Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge. If you have never been there and you a planning a trip to Florida in the winter then it is a definite stop.
Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge is very difficult to enjoy in just one day. There are so many foot trails and driving trails that will lead you to some incredible birding opportunities.
Here are some things to consider before planning a visit to the refuge. This is a habitat for wintering birds, if your not from Florida, the winter in Florida starts around December and ends in late February. Pretty short huh? I love it! Now the best time for the refuge is late December to Early January. These few weeks will be the best times for bird watching and you will see thousands of birds that are not regularly found here.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION CALL AHEAD! Phone: 321-861-0667
The refuge is owned by NASA and this is what they have to say: ” Merritt Island NWR closes to the public three days prior and the day of a shuttle launch. The refuge closes to the public at the following entry points: Approximately, 1 mile south of Haulover Canal on State Road 3 and just east of the Max Brewer Bridge on State Road 406.
The refuge closure may be extended if the shuttle launch is delayed and rescheduled. Please contact the refuge at 321-861-0667 for further information. Please visit the following website to view shuttle launch schedule: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html
The refuge closure may be extended if the shuttle launch is delayed and rescheduled.
Please contact the refuge at 321-861-0667 for further information. “
With all of that out of the way, it’s time to enjoy the refuge. I go every year 4-5 times a year in that short 3 week time period and I have never been disappointed. The refuge is also home to many other animals so if you are on a foot trail and you see some great birds, try to remeber that there are other animals living here and some that you would not want to step on. I have seen some of the largest alligators in my life here at the refuge so keep an eye out if you are walking. The alligators here have it made. In the cold months they have their pick of birds to snack on and the rest of the year they can choose from many of the large wild pigs in the area or some of the huge redfish that make the refuge their home. I think that is why some of them are so large!
I took this picture from my car! That’s right my car. This gator was very photogenic and decided to pose for me! It was around 8 feet long!
The Refuge was established in 1963. It is over 140,000 acres! The water at the refuge is brackish. What does that mean? It is a mixture of salt and fresh water. About half of the refuge consists of brackish water estuaries. The remaining lands consist of coastal dunes, scrub oaks, pine forests and flatwoods, and palm and oak hammocks.
The coastal location of the refuge , seven distinct habitat types, and position between the subtropic and temperate climatic zones, contribute to the refuge’s importance as a major wintering area for migratory birds. Over 500 species of wildlife inhabit the refuge with 15 being listed as federally threatened or endangered. Several wading bird rookeries, 10 active bald eagle nests, numerous osprey nests, up to 400 manatees during spring months, and an estimated 2,500 Florida scrub jays can be found on the refuge.
Directions To The Refuge
From I-95, take Exit 220 (Titusville, State Road 406 Exit). Head east on SR406, also known as Garden Street. Continue east on Garden Street for several miles and go over a the Max Brewer Drawbridge. Continue three miles passed the bridge to the fork in the road and bear right onto SR402. Continue two mileson SR402 and the entrance to the visitor center entrance will be on your right.
There is a visitor Information center that is loaded with birding information. The information center is located 5 miles east of US1. I like to start my visit there but I always get sidetracked because on the way there you will have some truly awesome birding sights! Inside the center is an awesome gift shop full of birding literature and one my my favorites, Plush Audubon Birds. Here are some photos of the inside of the center. This photo was taken from a balcony looking down on to an exhibit. In the exhibit you can see a Coral snake, Bobcat, Indigo Snake and a Gopher tortoise.
This photo is the same exhibit!
When I go to the refuge, I come in from the North. I Take US1 south until Hwy 3 or Kenedy parkway on the left. Going this way, I get to stop at a manatee observation area and there are always manatees there. I also get to pass Scrub Jay Trail which is home the The Scrub Jay, one of my favorite Birds. I also get to go past this thing!
What the heck is that? Underneath that ball is a huge satellite dish. How do I know this? Well it’s a secret and if I publish it here on the web, well someone would most likely put an end to me…… No just kidding of course. The cover is new. The dish did not use to have the cover over it.Then there is the mysterious BIOLAB road. I also pass this place and just the name gives me the creeps. Right at the entrance is an old run down building surrounded by a fence with barbed wire. Now just use your imagination with the word BIOLAB and NASA and you will see why it gives me the creeps. I watch way too many SCI-FI shows!
These are all places that lead up to the grand finale for me and that is BLACKPOINT DRIVE.This is a 6 mile drive through some of the brackish marsh area and it is awesome! Words just can’t describe it! Here is an arial picture courtesy of FWS.
If you have never been to Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge then you must go! You will enjoy every minute of it.
