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Bird and Wildlife Watching
Indian River Lagoon and Seashore
Space Coast Central
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Bird and
wildlife watching opportunities associated
with the Indian River Lagoon and Beaches
along Florida's Space Coast.
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This
Symbol indicates that the site is a
designated site of the
Great Florida Birding Trail |
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Port Canaveral; (Ocean, Port)
(Destination)
There are three parks at Port Canaveral
managed by the
Canaveral Port Authority.
Jetty Park; Port Canaveral (Beach /
Ocean)(Notable Stop to Destination)
Directions; Driving from Orlando on Hwy 528
East. After crossing over I-95, drive 12
miles on Hwy 528 East and exit right to the
"B" cruise terminals. After exit, turn left
under bridge onto George King Blvd. Drive
1.3 miles and enter Jetty Park entrance.
From A1A in Cape Canaveral, take the port
Canaveral entrance at George King Blvd.
Drive 1.3 miles and enter Jetty Park
entrance. Jetty Park provides the
opportunity to view wildlife from side of
the port near the mouth, from the pier and
from the seashore itself. From the pier you
can also scan the rock jetty alongside the
pier for shorebirds, gulls, terns, and many
other species. Sometimes just below the
surface of the water sea turtles can be see
browsing on vegetation growing on the rocks
and pier pilings. Also keep an eye out over
the open waters of the port and the ocean
for sightings of gannets and other pelagics.
They do sometimes ply the open waters of the
port itself. RV and Tent Camping are
available as is the rental of Wheelchairs
designed for the beach, providing a unique
opportunity for challenged birders. There is
also a 1-1/2 mile bike and pedestrian path
between the west border of Jetty Park and
Freddie Patrick Park.
GPS N 28 24.426 W 80 35.639
Google Satellite Image
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Freddie Patrick Park; Port Canaveral
(Port) Directions; From the Port Entrance at
George King Blvd. Drive 3/10th of a mile and
turn left on Flounder Street. Drive 1/10th
of a mile and turn right into Freddie
Patrick Park.
This 10-acre park is located in the center
of the Port's south side. You may enjoy its
facilities, including covered picnic tables
and boat-launch ramps, at no charge.
GPS N 28 24.501 W 80 36.803
Google Satellite Image
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Rodney
S. Ketcham Park; Port Canaveral
(Port) Directions; Enter the South Entrance
to Port Canaveral from 528 / A1A, at George
King Boulevard, turn left and follow it to
Dave Nisbet Drive. Look for this sign right
before the intersection of Dave Nisbet Drive
and Mullet Road. Turn onto Mullet road and
follow it faithfully. Just before it goes
under The bridge near the locks you will
come to the park.
Rodney S. Ketcham Park is a four-acre park
at the Port's west end featuring boat-launch
ramps, covered picnic tables, fishing from
the bulkheads and an observation tower for a
great view of ships in the harbor. This park
is also a stop on the Great Florida Birding
Trail. There are no fees for its use. Avocet
Lagoon is also in this area and allows the
viewing of many shorebird species within a
shallow lagoon ecosystem.
GPS N 28 24.517 W 80 37.866
Google Satellite Image
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Manatee Sanctuary Park;; (Lagoon)
(Quick Stop)
701 Thurm Boulevard, Cape Canaveral,
Just South of State Road 528 Causeway, turn
east on West Central Blvd next to the
Radison (north side) and follow West Central
to Thurm Blvd, turn left and the park will
be on the west side of the road.
Manatee Sanctuary Park boasts over 10 acres
of waterfront beauty. Nestled on the Banana
River, Scan the river for waterfowl, osprey,
manatee, dolphin, and more.GPS N 28 23.657 W
80 37.098
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Constitution Bicentenial Park;
(Lagoon) (Quick Stop)
Located on the State Road 520 Causeway, just
west of Cape Canaveral Hospital
Constitution Bicentennial Park is a one-acre
roadside recreation site providing boat
launch facilities. The park was dedicated in
1988 as a permanent reminder of the
importance of the U. S. Constitution. The
park features 23 car/trailer parking spaces,
and four sheltered picnic tables. Scan the
shallows and along the shoreline trees for
wading birds, waterfowl, osprey, Manatee,
and dolphin.
GPS N 28 21.442 W 80 37.713
Google Satellite Image |
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Lori
Wilson Park; (Beach) (Noteable Stop)
1500 N Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach
FROM SR-520 go south 1.4 miles on SR-A1A
Open after sunrise until dusk, except for
scheduled use.
This 32.43-acre regional beach park
featuring a maritime hammock is a popular
site for events and group gatherings. The
dunes and maritime hammock allow visitors to
experience Florida’s natural coastline. The
3,155’ interpretive boardwalk at the
Maritime Hammock is accessed from the north
parking lot, or by paved walkway from the
south parking lot. Wildlife includes
migratory birds, Shorebirds, Songbirds,
Butterfly, Opossum, Raccoon, Snakes.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms,
Pavilions, Playground, Boardwalk, 4 Dune
Crossovers, Nature Center, Nature Boardwalk,
Paved Walkways
GPS N 28 20.227 W 80 36.470
Google Satellite Image |
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Ramp Road Park; (Lagoon) (Quick
Stop)
528 Ramp Rd, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931, Phone:
(321)868-3252
From State Road 520 in Cocoa Beach, head
south on A1A about 3 miles and turn right on
South 5th Street, then take the next left on
South Brevard Ave, then the next left on
Ramp Road. Located at the west end of Ramp
Road in Cocoa Beach, this three-acre
neighborhood park provides two boat ramps,
picnic facilities, a fishing dock, and a
lighted tennis court. Florida Sportsman
magazine has ranked the park as one of the
state's best fishing spots. The fishing dock
and picnic facilities overlook the beautiful
Thousand Islands, which are owned by the
city. The city plans to keep the Thousand
Islands in their natural state for future
generations to enjoy. Scan the mangrove
shorelines of the islands for many species
of birds such as pelicans, cormorants,
osprey, as well as the water for dolphins
and manatees
GPS N 28 18.558 W 80 36.855
Google Satellite Image |
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Hightower Beach Park; (Beach)
(Noteable Stop)
815 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, FL 32937,
(321) 773-6458
Much to their credit, the coastal City of
Satellite Beach has taken great pride in
their natural resources, preserving 40 % of
the beach front property within the city in
its natural state and setting it aside for
future generations to enjoy. The flagship
property of this policy is Hightower Beach
Park, roughly 18 acres of prisine beach and
dune habitat protecting roughly 1/2 mile of
coastline with an observation platform and
about 560 feet of boardwalk so visitors can
view the habitat and scan the native
vegetation for migratory songbirds and other
species that reside there. In addition are
the chances to see examples of
Sabellariid Worm Domes,
which are colonies of Sabellariid Worms
attached to the flatter coquina rock ridges.
At low tide the domes closest to shore are
exposed on the beach sometimes forming tidal
pools and are valuable habitat for many
species of marine fish, shrimps, crabs, and
many other invertebrate species. Please do
not touch these domes as they are fragile
and essentially living ecosystems. Scan the
rocks at low tide for shorebirds and wading
birds hunting along the coquina ridges,
while several species of gulls and terns can
be seen scanning the water below for
baitfish. Below is more information on
Hightower Park and the recent improvements
which include parking for 32 cars,
restrooms, an outdoor shower, and a non
reservable pavillion in addition to the
boardwalk and observation platform.
Hightower Beach Park PDF
Report and Florida Today Articles
GPS N 28 11.650 W 80 35.661
Google Satellite Image
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Pelican Park(Beach) (Quick Stop)
1525 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach,
FL 32937, (321) 773-6458
Park hours are from 9:00am till dusk.
Pelican park is a smaller park managed
by the City of Satellite Beach. Each
summer during the nesting season, the
Sea Turtle Presrvation Society conducts
weekly Sea Turtle "Walks and Talks"
based from this park where during the
talks, scouts look for nesting sea
turtles and report back so the visitors
can go view the nesting turtles at
night.
Satellite Beach Park PDF
GPS N 28 10.064 W 80 35.292
Google Satellite Image
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Samsoms Island(Lagoon) (Notable
Stop)
Samsons Island is a 52 acre island nature
preserve owned by the City of Satellite
Beach accessable only by boat. Except in
inclement weather, the City provides free
boat transportation each Sunday from the
Satellite Beach Fire Station (1390 S.
Patrick Drive). The boat, which holds 11
passengers, leaves at 1 p.m. (first come,
first served) and returns from the island
approx. at 3:30 p.m. Park at the Fire
Station, and walk to the dock behind the
Station. The island has three docks or
landing platforms, walking trails, kayaking
trails, and rustic campsites available by
permit (a permit is required for anyone on
the island after dusk).
Samsons Island Homepage
GPS (Fire Department) N 28 10.367 W
80 36.390
Google Satellite Image (Fire Department)
GPS (Samsons Island) N 28 10.997 W 80
36.685
Google Satellite Image (Sampsons Island)
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Editors
Pick; A Sample Itinerary for the A1A
Corridor;(Note; More
Destinations below this article, all
destinations IN this article listed above)
As mentioned above the Port Canaveral
listing at the top of this page, several
non-destination stops can be put together
for a great day-long birdwatching safari.
Here is a sample itinerary for a full day of
wildife observation from the Central Space
Coast Highway A1A corridor. Having several
stops along the tour means you can also
break for breakfast, lunch, and finish with
a nice dinner.
Stop 1; Hightower Beach Park in
Satellite Beach at dawn. Scan the beach
for plovers and other shorebirds. Hopefully
it will be low tide so you can see the mound
colonies of Sabellariid Worms attached to
the flatter coquina rock ridges. Herons may
be hunting any tidal pools that may form for
small fishes among the rocks. At real low
tide you can walk right up to some of the
formations for closer inspection. Do not
walk on or touch the Sabellariid Mounds.
They are living colonies. Then take the
boardwalk tour to learn about the Coastal
Strand Palmetto habitat and the beach
grasses that help to anchor the dunes
against erosion.
Stop 2; Ramp Road Park in Cocoa
Beach, where you can scan the Mangrove
Shorelines of the Thousand Islands Preserve
for birds and other wildlife from the
fishing and observation deck. Hopefully you
will see dolphins or manatees as well.
Stop 3; Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.
The beach will likely be fairly crowded by
now but the Maritime Hammock Trail is
definitely worth a walk. In winter this
hardwood forest comes alive with Warblers
and many other species of neotropical
migrants.
Stop 4; Port Canaveral's Jetty Park.
There is an entry fee but this allows access
to the pier which gives you a view of the
rock jetty for shorebirds terns and gulls,
offshore for pelagics, while scanning below
the waters surface along rocks and pilings
for sea turtles feeding on attached
vegetation. In the winter you may even be
treated to the sight of a Northern Right
Whale. There are two other parks To finish
the day off you can also visit Rodney
Ketcham Park in the port and / or
Freddie Patrick Park about halfway down
the port on the south side. I definitely
reccommend Ketcham Park first due to
the observation tower and proximity to
Avocet Lagoon and the wading and shorebirds
that frequent the area. Then a quick scan
from Patrick Park as the sun is setting and
you find yourself conveniently in the area
of "The Cove", Port Canaverals
Waterfront Recreation Area and its
Restaurants, Lounges, and Tiki Bars, where
you can dine outside and watch ships enter
and exit the port, or watch the charter
boats unload the catch of the day and then
catch some Live Music, DJs, do a little
Karaoke or dance the night away.
By the time you get home you have
experienced three Beach Habitats (Coquina /
Worm Reef, Coastal Scrub and Maritime
Hammock) One estuary habitat (Mangrove
Forest) scanned the waters, shorelines,
rocks and pilings of the Port, and ended the
day with some of the best nightlife around. |
Merritt Island
All
sites listed are associated with the
Lagoon
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Manatee Cove Park (Noteable Stop)
4905 N Tropical Trail, Merritt Island
Parks Referendum Project
FROM US Hwy 1, go east 2.7 miles on SR-528
to the SR-3 Exit, then left onto Courtenay
Parkway (SR-3) and go 3 miles. Turn left on
Porcher Road, go 0.4 miles, then left on
North Tropical Trail and go 0.2 miles to the
park entrance.
A natural trail around the lagoon provides
access for viewng of wading birds,
waterfowl.
Open after sunrise until dusk, except for
scheduled use.
GPS N 28 26.784 W 80 43.168
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Kelly
Park-East (Quick Stop)
2550 N Banana River Drive, Merritt Island
Parks Referendum Project
FROM US Hwy 1 go 5.3 miles east on SR-528
then right at the N. Banana Drive exit. The
park is along the river on the left.
Look overthe lagoon for osprey, pelicans,
gulls, terns, cormorants, dolphins,
manatees, etc.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark, except for
scheduled use.
GPS N 28 24.195 W 80 39.744
Google Satellite Image
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Watts Park (Quick Stop)
695 Needle Boulevard, Merritt Island
FROM SR-520, go north 0.6 miles on Courtenay
Pkwy/SR-3, turn right and go 0.3 miles on
Needle Blvd, turn right on 4th Place, go 0.1
mile, turn left on Needle Blvd and go 0.6
miles.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
GPS N 28 22.116 W 80 41.116
Google Satellite Image
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Ulumay Wildlife Sancturary
(Noteable Stop)
805 Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island
FROM US Hwy 1 go 2.9 miles east on
SR-520, turn left and go about 0.5 miles
on Sykes Creek Parkway. The park
entrance is on the left.
Projecting into Sykes Creek at the
southwest corner of the park is a pier
commonly known as the Old Humpbacked
Troll Bridge. There are also dikes along
the impoundment with 7 miles of hiking,
biking and birding trails.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Fishing Pier
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
GPS N 28 22.317 W 80 40.426
Google Satellite Image
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Intracoastal Waterway Park
(Quick Stop)
Hwy 520 Causeway at the Hubert Humphrey
Bridge, Merritt Island
FROM US Hwy 1 at SR-520, go east 0.7
miles just over the Humbert Humphrey
Bridge. Turn back to the SR-520
westbound lane. The park entrance is on
the westbound lane and the exit is on
the eastbound lane.
Concrete Fishing Pier
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
GPS N 28 21.394 W 80 42.786
Google Satellite Image
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Kiwanis Island Park (Quick Stop)
951 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island
FROM US Hwy 1, go east 3.2 miles on SR-520.
Turn into the park complex at the light just
east of Sykes Creek Parkway.
Look for waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and
others within the Sykes Creek area.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms,
Community Center, Community Building,
Playground, Pavilions, Fishing Dock, Paved
Walkways
Park open after 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
GPS N 28 21.540 W 80 40.689
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Margaret and Danny Strickland Park
(Quick Stop)
298 Milford Point Drive, Merritt Island
FROM SR-520 and 0.2 miles east of Banana
River Drive, turn north onto Milford Point
Drive and go 0.2 miles.
Open after sunrise until dusk.
GPS N 28 21.691 W 80 39.744
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Veterans Memorial Park (Quick Stop)
400 S Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island
FROM US Hwy 1 go east 2.9 miles on SR-520,
turn right on Sykes Creek Pkwy and go 0.4
miles.
335’ lighted boardwalk and benches along the
waterfront for scenic viewing and fishing.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms,
Community Center, River Boardwalk
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark, except for
scheduled use.
GPS N 28 21.056 W 80 40.971
Google Satellite Image |
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Osteen Park (Quick Stop)
425 S Tropical Trail, Merritt Island
FROM US Hwy 1, go east 1.7 miles on SR-520,
turn right on South Tropical Trail and go
0.5 miles. The park is on the right.
Fishing Dock, Boardwalk.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms,
Pavilion, Fishing Dock with Boardwalk,
Drinking Fountain, Paved Walkway. Nice
wooded little park. Check the trees for
warblers and other songbirds while checking
the lagoon for ospreys, pelicans, gulls,
terns, egrets, herons, and other waterfowl.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark, except for
scheduled use.
GPS N 28 20.999 W 80 42.224
Google Satellite Image |
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Harbor Point Park (Quick Stop)
Harbor Point Drive, Merritt Island
FROM SR-520 go south 2.3 miles on South
Banana River Drive and turn left.
Neighborhood boardwalk and overlook of the
Banana River.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Boardwalk and Overlook
GPS N 28 19.476 W 80 39.470
Google Satellite Image |
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Mainland
All
sites listed are associated with the
Lagoon
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McFarland Park (Quick Stop)
2060 Indian River Drive, Cocoa
FROM US Hwy 1 at SR-520, go north 2.6 miles
on US Hwy 1. Turn right on Coquina Drive and
go 0.3 miles, turn right on Indian River
Drive and go 0.1 miles to the park.
T shaped pier 100 ft.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
GPS N 28 23.455 W 80 44.503
Google Satellite Image |
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Lee Wenner Park (Quick Stop)
300 Riveredge Boulevard, Cocoa
FROM US Hwy 1 at SR-520, go east .5 miles
and turn right onto Riveredge Drive. The
park is on the Indian River at the southwest
side of the Hubert Humphrey bridge.
Fishing Pier, Docks
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms, Coast
Guard Auxiliary Building, Pavilion,
Playground, Paved Walkway, Pier, Docks.
GPS N 28 21.321 W 80 43.382
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Valencia Dock (Quick Stop)
914 Rockledge Drive, Rockledge
FROM US Hwy 1, go east at the Barton Blvd
and immediately left on Seminole Drive. Go
0.4 miles to Valencia Road, turn right and
go 0.3 miles to the river.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Pier
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
GPS N 28 20.202 W 80 43.042
Google Satellite Image |
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Riverwalk-A Family Park (Notable
Stop)
5355 US Highway 1, Rockledge
FROM SR-520, go south 7 miles on US Hwy 1,
look for the park on the left. You will have
to make a u-turn just to the south of the
park onto the northbound lane. If coming
from the south, it will be about 4.5 miles
north of the Pineda Causeway.
Nature Center, and a nature boardwalk that
begins near the pavilion with restrooms and
winds through a natural Florida hammock to
the river.
GPS N 28 16.089 W 80 41.407
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Rotary
Park at Suntree (Quick Stop)
Highway 1 & Suntree Blvd, Rockledge
FROM SR-520 go 9 miles south, the park is on
the left.
FROM the Pineda Causeway (SR-404), go north
1.8 miles. The park is on the right at the
Suntree Boulevard intersection.
This 10.36-acre community river park is
situated on the shore of the Indian River
Lagoon. The large pavilion includes
restrooms, barbeque pits, and an expansive
river view. Along the shore and boardwalk
are 6 picnic shelters with grills and a
nearby playground.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms,
Pavilion, Playground, Boardwalks, Fishing
Pier.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark, except for
scheduled use.
GPS N 28 13.792 W 80 40.308
Google Satellite Image |
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POW/MIA Park,
Formerly known as Pineda Landing
(Quick Stop)
5995 N US Highway 1, Melbourne
Parks Referendum Project
FROM the Pineda Causeway (SR-404), go 0.3
miles north on US Hwy 1, the park is on the
right.
Shoreline viewing of the Lagoon.
GPS N 28 12.408 W 80 39.679
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Shoreside Park (Quick Stop)
5025 US 1
Palm Shores, FL 32940,
Located about one mile south of Pineda
Causeway on east side of US-1, Shoreside
Park runs along the Indian River and offers
a variety of recreational opportunities,
including fishing pier, canoeing, kayaking,
a playground and volleyball courts.
GPS N 28 11.417 W 80 39.378
Google Satellite Image |
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Pineapple Park River Front (Quick
Stop)
1521 Pineapple Avenue, Melbourne
Pineapple Park is situated along the Indian
River on Pineapple Avenue in the downtown
Eau Gallie area, next to the Eau Gallie
Library, and features a fishing pier.
GPS N 28 07.959 W 80 37.570
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