Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida · Southeast

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarshCoastal

Best Seasons

Winter

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

Florida Scrub-Jay Black-necked Stilt Reddish Egret Painted Bunting Bald Eagle

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Snail Kite

Rostrhamus sociabilis

3/4/2026Ice Station Arendell1 observed

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

3/4/20265415 W Tyson Ave, Tampa US-FL 27.88710, -82.541324 observed

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

3/4/2026christ fellowship stuart1 observed

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

3/4/2026311 NW Primitive Glen, Lake City US-FL 30.20217, -82.678271 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Belle Glade Marina & Torry Island1 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Belle Glade Marina & Torry Island1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

3/4/2026John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area (Palm Beach County)1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

3/4/2026John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area (Palm Beach County)1 observed

Florida Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma coerulescens

3/4/2026Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey US-FL 27.17753, -82.463689 observed

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

3/4/2026World Golf Village1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park1 observed

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park1 observed

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park2 observed

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park2 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/202633430, Belle Glade US-FL 26.43582, -80.798951 observed

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

3/4/2026Lakes Park1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/4/2026SGI Patton Bridge East1 observed

Boat-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus major

3/4/202616757–16773 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola US-FL 30.28452, -87.503932 observed

Recent Observations

Brown Pelican

Causeway Islands Park

3/4/2026

40 birds

Crested Caracara

30546–30566 Okeechobee Rd, Fort Pierce US-FL 27.35086, -80.63537

3/4/2026

1 birds

Loggerhead Shrike

740 W Gulf Beach Dr, Eastpoint US-FL 29.65629, -84.87976

3/4/2026

2 birds

Western Cattle-Egret

SW 167th Ave. (Agricultural Fields)

3/4/2026

6 birds

Swallow-tailed Kite

23239 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, US (27.365, -80.609)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Double-crested Cormorant

23239 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, US (27.365, -80.609)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Limpkin

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

1 birds

White Ibis

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

4 birds

Fish Crow

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

4 birds

Osprey

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mallard

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Gallinule

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

3 birds

Anhinga

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

2 birds

Boat-tailed Grackle

Sand Point Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Turkey Vulture

Everglades NP--Flamingo Campground

3/4/2026

9 birds

Black Vulture

Everglades NP--Flamingo Campground

3/4/2026

3 birds

Red-shouldered Hawk

Everglades NP--Flamingo Campground

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Mockingbird

Little Duck Key--Veterans Memorial Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Everglades NP--Flamingo Campground

3/4/2026

4 birds

Rock Pigeon

17301 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, US (27.371, -80.502)

3/4/2026

45 birds

Birding Tips

1
Drive Black Point Wildlife Drive early in the morning
2
Check the scrub habitat areas for Florida Scrub-Jays

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Auto Tour Route

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Kennedy Space Center

More in Florida

Everglades National Park

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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.

Birding Guides

Best Places to See Bald Eagles in North America

11 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

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. 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.