Blue Cypress Water Management Area

Headwaters of the St. Johns River, the 54,458-acre Blue Cypress Conservation Area is comprised of a mosaic of marshes, lakes and cypress swamps. From the parking lot of the Blue Cypress Recreation Area on CR 512, you may walk in several directions. One of the westbound dikes will offer more remote, sometimes higher quality birding. These paths are narrower with irregular surfaces. A north-south dike offers a smoother walking surface, although the path is more exposed and birds are harder to spot.

This site, as are other sites that feature raised exposed dikes, is best in fall, winter and spring. The eastern portion contains foraging and nesting habitat for the endangered Snail Kite. Other wetland dependent species found here include all of the egrets and herons (including both night-herons), Glossy and White Ibises, Purple Gallinule, Limpkin and Wood Stork. Wood Duck and Mottled Duck are found year-round, and the marshes are used extensively in fall and winter by migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Bald Eagle, hawks, vultures, Anhinga, Osprey, Crested Caracara, alligators and river otters are commonly seen. American and Least Bitterns, King Rail, Sora and Fulvous Whistling-Duck are possible.

Directions: From I-95, take the CR 512 Exit (Exit 156) and go west. Go through the town of Fellsmere and continue south on CR 512. The recreation area is 1.5 miles north of SR 60. You can also take the SR 60 (Vero Beach) exit from I-95. Go west on SR 60 for 7.5 miles and turn right onto CR 512 and travel north two miles. To access the western levees, parking is available on the north side of SR 60 two miles west of the CR 512 intersection.

386-329-4404
www.nbbd.com/

Sebastian Inlet
State Park

Sebastian Inlet State Park is the best birding location on Brevard County’s south beaches. The property includes three miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beach, unspoiled dunes, coastal hammocks, tidal pools, salt marsh, and plenty of wildlife. When approaching from the north, watch for a trail on the west side of A1A about 200 yards before you actually turn into the park. The trail winds through a lovely hammock, then circles back to the main trail. This area can be superior for migrant warblers and scaring up Chuck-will’s widows in later winter and spring. As you drive into the park, check the tidal pool northwest of the bridge for wading birds, shorebirds, gulls and terns. Some unusual species have been spotted here; Sandwich Terns frequent the area in winter. American Oystercatcher and Reddish Egret may be seen. Look carefully around the jetties and rocky area leading to the inlet for Purple Sandpiper.

West of the tidal pool is a grassy area edged by woods; check here for migrants, woodpeckers and raptors. Look in the mangroves at the water’s edge for Black-whiskered Vireo in spring and summer. East of the tidal pool is the North Jetty; scope the beach for shorebirds, gulls and terns. Check the weedy edges along the dunes for buntings and sparrows. On northeast and easterly winds in winter, look for pelagic species such as jaegers, gannets and scoters ; frigate birds and tropicbirds are a possibility. On the southwest side of the bridge, past the fishing museum is a dock where Wood Storks congregate. West of the campground is a spit of land good for shorebirds. A trail 0.4 miles south of the fishing museum than winds through diked mangrove impoundments, is good for migratory songbirds.

Directions: From the intersection of U.S. 192 and A1A in Melbourne Beach go south on A1A for 17.5 miles. From I-95, go east on CR 512 (exit 156) 2.5miles and turn right on CR 510, go through Wabasso, across the Indian River, all the way to A1A, then go north. You will pass the entrance to Pelican Island NWR before you get to Sebastian Inlet. Entrance fee.

321-984-4852
www.floridastateparks.org/

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

TA national historic landmark, Pelican Island is America’s first National Wildlife Refuge. New Public facilities are providing the public with the first opportunity to view the Pelican Island rookery from land, without the use of a boat, and explore other areas of the National Wildlife Refuge. The new facilities include a quarter-mile boardwalk and 18-foot high observation tower, two 2.5 mile saltmarsh impoundment foot trails, interpretive signs and information kiosks. Recreational opportunities include hiking, birdwatching, wildlife observation and photography. Bird species possible include Brown and American White Pelicans, all of the egret and heron species, Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, gulls and terns, cormorants and various shorebirds. In addition to Brown Pelicans and numerous species of egrets and herons, Wood Storks and American Oystercatchers nest on the island. Painted and Indigo Buntings are often seen along the road in the refuge’s old orange groves and near the boardwalk.

Directions: From Melbourne Beach, take A1A south, cross Sebastian Inlet and continue south. Facilities are located on the west side of A1A on the north end of historic Jungle Trail, which is a great birding location itself, especially during migration. From I-95 Exit 156, see the above directions for Sebastian Inlet. Local boat, kayak and canoe tour vendors offer rentals or daily trips to view Pelican Island. Reservations are strongly suggested, as times and availability may vary due to seasonal demand and weather.

77-562-3909
www.fws.gov/pelicanisland