"Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands

Florida · Southeast

ModerateOfficial Site View on eBird Directions

Habitat

ForestWetland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall Winter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open daily, sunrise to sunset

About This Location

"Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands is a productive birding destination in Florida, with 268 species recorded on eBird. This forest and wetland habitat attracts Common Gallinule, Sandhill Crane, and Semipalmated Plover among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Common Gallinule Sandhill Crane Semipalmated Plover Forster's Tern Wood Stork Mallard Mottled Duck Lesser Scaup Spotted Sandpiper Great Egret Laughing Gull Anhinga

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Common Black Hawk

Buteogallus anthracinus

4/13/2026"Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands2 observed

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

4/12/2026Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay1 observed

American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

4/12/2026River Lakes Conservation Area--Moccasin Island2 observed

Brown Noddy

Anous stolidus

4/9/2026Indiatlantic Beach1 observed

Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

4/5/2026Orlando Melbourne International Airport2 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

4/4/2026Rotary Park at Merritt Island1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Mottled Duck

24/13/2026

Mourning Dove

34/13/2026

Killdeer

14/13/2026

Anhinga

84/13/2026

White Ibis

224/13/2026

Glossy Ibis

274/13/2026

Roseate Spoonbill

114/13/2026

Tricolored Heron

34/13/2026

Snowy Egret

14/13/2026

Western Cattle-Egret

14/13/2026

Great Blue Heron

74/13/2026

Black Vulture

14/13/2026

Turkey Vulture

14/13/2026

Osprey

24/13/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

44/13/2026

Boat-tailed Grackle

34/13/2026

Common Gallinule

54/12/2026

American Coot

54/12/2026

Sandhill Crane

24/12/2026

Black-necked Stilt

24/12/2026

Birding Tips

1
Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.
2
Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.
3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.
4
Bring insect repellent — wetland areas can have significant mosquito activity, especially in warmer months.
5
Waterproof boots are recommended as trails near marshes can be muddy, especially after rain.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Merritt Island NWR
Viera Wetlands Trail
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

More in Florida

Everglades National Park

Vast subtropical wilderness with incredible wading bird concentrations and tropical species.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Remote island migrant trap with the only continental US Sooty Tern colony.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Sanibel Island mangrove refuge with spectacular wading bird viewing from Wildlife Drive.

Florida Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in Florida →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands for birding?▼

The best months to visit "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.

What birds can I see at "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands?▼

Notable species at "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands include Common Gallinule, Sandhill Crane, Semipalmated Plover, Forster's Tern, Wood Stork, Mallard, Mottled Duck, Lesser Scaup, Spotted Sandpiper, Great Egret, Laughing Gull, Anhinga. The area supports forest, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands?▼

Birding at "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands?▼

There is no entrance fee at "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands. Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

What amenities are available at "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands?▼

"Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.