T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area

Adjoining the southeast portion of Three Forks Marsh, the T.M. Goodwin WMA features ten impoundments managed intensively for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds and a semi-permanent flooded marsh. An observation tower overlooking Lake Goodwin offers unobstructed views of the surrounding marshlands. Walk the dikes between impoundments for looks at dabbling ducks in the winter, including Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, teal, Northern Pintail and Gadwall as well as American Coot, Common Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, American Bittern, Sora and King Rail.

Look for wading birds such as Wood Stork, Limpkin, White and Glossy Ibises, herons and egrets, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson’s Snipe, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, dowitchers and other shorebirds. Northern Harriers fly regularly over the marshes in winter and, during hawk migration in October, join Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin and American Kestrel. Summer is the best time to spot Swallow-tailed Kites and Roseate Spoonbills. Seasonal hunting.

Directions: From I-95 in Palm Bay, take Exit 173 (Malabar Rd.) and go 0.25 miles east to Babcock Street (CR507). Turn right and go south on Babcock for approximately 11 miles. Turn right onto Fellsmere Grade Rd. just after crossing the C-54 Canal. From the intersection of I-95 and CR 512 (Exit 156), head west for three miles to CR 507 (Babcock Street). Turn right (north) and, after five miles, turn left (west) onto Fellsmere Grade Rd., just south of the C-54 Canal. Go all the way to the end of the dirt road (about six miles). Follow signs to the site entrance from the Stick Marsh boat ramp. Goodwin Marsh is north of the Stick Marsh across the C-54 Canal. The entrance to the north tract of St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve is on the east side of Babcock St., just north of the C-54 Canal.

321-726-2862
www.myfwc.com

St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

This 22,750-acre property is the largest upland property in public ownership in the region. The open grassy forests of longleaf pine that once made up most of Florida can still be appreciated here today. This site also contains examples of scrub and the only undeveloped sandhill habitat in Brevard County. The sandhill are supports about 25 breeding pairs of Florida Scrub-Jays as well as gopher tortoises and indigo snakes. Many sought-after pinewoods specialties can be found here. Bachman’s Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Brown-headed Nuthatch and Red-cockaded Woodpecker can all be found on the northeast portion of the horse trail accessed via Stumper Flats Trail on the east side of the property. On the west side, near the intersection of Buffer Preserve Drive and CR 507, the Green, Blue and Red Trails wind through hydric hammocks, which are excellent for migratory songbirds and Swallow-tailed Kites.

Bald Eagles nest on the property and American Kestrels and Loggerhead Shrikes are regularly spotted. Seasonal wetlands host a variety of wading birds, including Wood Stork and Roseate Spoonbill. Florida Sandhill Cranes breed on ponds in pastures and open pinewoods.

Directions: The entrance to the north tract of St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve is on the east side of Babcock St., just north of the C-54 Canal – see the directions for T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area. The Buffer Preserve’s south tract can be reached for the north tract by going south on Babcock St. (CR 507) through the town of Fellsmere. Take CR 512 east from Fellsmere, passing under I-95 (Exit 156). Go east from I-95 for 1.8 miles to W.W. Ranch Rd. Turn left and follow the road north into the preserve.

321-953-5004
www.floridastateparks.org/
www.nbbd.com/

Three Forks Marsh Conservation Area

The 52,000 acres of the Three Forks Marsh CA comprise a significant portion of the Upper St. Johns River Basin Project. Original floodplain communities of this area were severely impacted by diking and draining for agricultural uses. The project is designed to reduce flooding, restore and maintain natural hydrologic cycles, enhance native habitat for fish and wildlife and protect water quality. The Upper Basin Project is a model for the restoration of the Everglades. At Three Forks Marsh, a vast network of levees is being constructed to impound the water runoff from neighboring agricultural lands. Much of the work has been completed, and 15 miles of dike trails are open to the public. Restoration has already greatly improved habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, river otters and alligators. There is seasonal waterfowl hunting on this property.

Directions: From I-95, Exit 173, take CR 514 (Malabar Road) west until it dead ends (about eight miles) at the Thomas O. Lawton Recreation Area. Park entrance will be on your left. For hunting information call 352-732-1225

386-320-4404
www.marshbunny.com
www.outintheboonies.com/
www.nbbd.com/