Lori Wilson Park

Lori Wilson Park has the last large piece of maritime hammock and undeveloped coastal scrub remaining on Cocoa Beach. This hammock is a magnet for migratory songbirds and Painted Buntings. Springtime songbird migration fallouts occur in April when one may garner day lists of about 15 warbler species. Elevated boardwalks wind through the hammock, allowing close-up views of the songbirds as well as beach access for shorebirds and seabirds.

Directions: From SR 520 In Cocoa Beach, travel south on Highway A1A for 3.5 miles. The park is on the left (east) side of the road.

321-633-1874
321-868-1122
www.brevardparks.com

Ritch Grisson Memorial Wetlands at Viera

Viera Wetlands is a series of connected ponds created to treat wastewater from the Central Brevard area. Since opening in 2001, this site has rapidly gained recognition as a premier birding destination. Raised dikes offer opportunities for birding from a vehicle and observation towers look out over the ponds. During fall and winter, a good diversity of bird species use these wetlands. An active Bald Eagle nest is visible from the dike road, two families of Crested Caracaras maintain territories around the wetlands, and Northern Harriers course above the marsh and pasture. Thousands of wintering ducks concentrate here, including Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mottled Duck, Mallard, Hooded and Red-breasted Merganser, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead and Ruddy Duck. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are regularly seen.

Two ponds on the north side of the complex are productive for shorebirds when water levels are low, especially during migration. Black-necked Stilts nest here in spring and summer. This site has become a hot spot for rarities. The first U.S. sighting of a Mangrove Swallow was recorded here in November 2002 when sharp-eyes field trip leader Murray Gardler spotted the bird when he stopped by to investigate a flock of Mexican Cave Swallows (a Brevard first record) that had been seen the day before on a birding festival field trip.

Directions: From I-95, take Exit 191 (Wickham Rd.) and go west to the end of the road. Go through the gate on the left and stop to sign in at the Administration Office before going to the dikes. To get to the north ponds, go back out through the gate and go north on the dirt road next to the power lines.

321-637-5521
www.brevardcounty.us

Turkey Creek Sanctuary/Margaret Hames Nature Center

Turkey Creek Sanctuary, managed by Audubon of Florida, is well known as a hot spot for warblers and other neotropical migratory songbirds. More than 30 warbler species have been reported here, including Canada, Prothonotary, Golden-winged, Chestnut-sided, Nashville, Hooded, Worm-eating, Cerulean, Swainson’s , Yellow-throated, Backburnian and Tennessee as well as waterthrushes and Ovenbirds. Migration at this site is heavily concentrated in October and April. Its songbird counts receive statewide recognition during those months. Part of the area is viewed from a raised boardwalk.

Turkey Creek is a blackwater creek, and its surrounding hydric hammock supports Carolina Wren, American Redstart, Osprey, owls, hawks, egrets, Anhinga, herons and cormorants. Other species include Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Towhee, Blue and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Indigo and Painted Buntings, Red-eyed, Flue-headed and White-eyed Vireos. Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Baltimore Oriole.

Directions: From I-95, take Exit 176 (Palm Bay Rd.) and go east to Babcock St. Turn right and go south on Babcock. Turn left onto Port Malabar Blvd. and continue east one mile to the Palm Bay Community Center. Parking for the sanctuary is behind the Community Center.

321-676-6690