Wading birds along Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida · Southeast

Habitat
WetlandMarshCoastal
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

November-February

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Sunrise to sunset daily

About This Location

Merritt Island NWR shares the Kennedy Space Center landscape, creating a unique juxtaposition of wildlife and technology. The Black Point Wildlife Drive traverses impoundments hosting huge numbers of waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds in winter.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Great Shearwater

Ardenna gravis

6/3/2026Cape Canaveral National Seashore--Apollo Beach--Parking Area 41 observed

Leach's Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates leucorhous

6/3/2026Cape Canaveral National Seashore--Apollo Beach--Parking Area 41 observed

Wilson's Storm-Petrel

Oceanites oceanicus

6/3/2026Cape Canaveral National Seashore--Apollo Beach--Parking Area 41 observed

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates castro

6/3/2026Canaveral National Seashore--Lot #51 observed

Sooty Shearwater

Ardenna grisea

6/3/2026Canaveral National Seashore--Lot #51 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

6/1/2026Merritt Island NWR--Black Point Wildlife Drive1 observed

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

5/31/20264796–4798 Cheney Hwy, Mims US-FL 28.54382, -80.932531 observed

American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

5/31/2026Aurantia Rd Trailhead (Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail)12 observed

Carolina Chickadee

Poecile carolinensis

5/31/2026Aurantia Rd Trailhead (Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail)4 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Black-necked Stilt

36/2/2026

Tricolored Heron

16/2/2026

Green Heron

16/2/2026

Great Egret

16/2/2026

Great Blue Heron

86/2/2026

Black Vulture

16/2/2026

Osprey

26/2/2026

Anhinga

186/2/2026

Little Blue Heron

16/2/2026

Red-shouldered Hawk

16/2/2026

Northern Mockingbird

16/2/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

146/2/2026

Boat-tailed Grackle

126/2/2026

Mourning Dove

16/1/2026

Turkey Vulture

16/1/2026

Florida Scrub-Jay

116/1/2026

Common Ground Dove

26/1/2026

Royal Tern

56/1/2026

White Ibis

76/1/2026

Brown Pelican

756/1/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Drive Black Point Wildlife Drive early in the morning

  2. 2

    Check the scrub habitat areas for Florida Scrub-Jays

  3. 3

    Winter birding can be rewarding for waterfowl, raptors, and winter finches

  4. 4

    Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons

  5. 5

    Check the tide schedule — shorebirds are most active during falling and low tides

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for birding?
The best months to visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for birding are November-February. The best seasons are Winter.
What birds can I see at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge?
Notable species at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge include Florida Scrub-Jay, Black-necked Stilt, Reddish Egret, Painted Bunting, Bald Eagle, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Swallow-tailed Kite, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon. The area supports wetland, marsh, coastal habitats.
How difficult is birding at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge?
Birding at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge?
There is no entrance fee at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily.
What amenities are available at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge?
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Auto Tour Route, Trails.