The Windsor Star
Tom Hince
Saturday, Nov. 29, l997
| FLORIDA'S MERRITT BADGE | |
| Not far from Orlando is a birder's paradise ---Merritt Island.
Sanibel Island, Corkscrew Swamp, Flamingo----these are the hotspots
synonymous with a Florida birding vacation. There is no doubt that all
three are great birding locales, but my vote for Florida's best has to
go the little-known Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. My introduction to Merritt Island Refuge came courtesy to the first Annual Space Coast Flyway Festival, held just two weeks ago on Nov. 14-16. Although the main event was a birding competition, there was a host of other great act6ivities including a "Birds of a Feather" social, birding seminars and hikes, and demonstrations with manatees and sea turtles. The team of Canadian birders I joined was fortunate enough to win the grand prize in the birding competition, but it was the great birding that really made the trip for us. Despite the lateness of the season, we found 160 species within the boundaries of Merritt Island and the many other fine birding sites in Brevard County-in just over a day of birding. The number of birds on this refuge is staggering. Literally thousands of American coots, pied-billed grebes, American widgeon, egrets, herons, ibis, and shorebirds are sure to be seen. Despite 30-plus years of birding, I cannot recall seeing more ospreys, kingfishers, and sedge wrens in on e place at one time. The best introduction to Merritt is the Black Point Wildlife Drive; a pleasant four-mile one-way loop road that gives spectacular views of the refuge's many residents. My first morning there was almost magical. Highlights included 30 reddish egrets, 10 American avocets, more than 100 roseate spoonbills, 300 white pelicans, 10 species of hawks, 18 species of waterfowl, 20 species of shorebirds, and nearly 100 total species in just three hours of casual birding. |
Because the birds are so close, the wildlife drive is something for the
whole family. It is always best first thing in the morning when birds
tend to be closer to the road and easier to photograph. Merritt is only a one-hour drive for Orlando, and even if you are not a birder, it would make a nice alternative to the classic tourist haunts. Along with nearby Cape Canaveral National Seashore, the refuge contains the largest population of Florida scrub jays in the world. This charming jay was only split off as a separate species just a few years ago and today less than 4,000 breeding pairs remain. The scrub jay can be easily seen while driving roads within the refuge. Compared to many of Florida's best-known birding destinations, this area also is far less costly for hotels and meals. The refuge drive is free, and unless you are staying during the days just before a shuttle launch, accommodations should be available with a month or less advance booking. By the way, we were lucky enough to catch a launch three days after the festival. I didn't expect to be impressed, but I certainly was.
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