What a remarkable place to visit! The county’s landscape was shaped by, and still is dominated by water. The north flowing St Johns River with numerous lakes and marshes borders its western side. On its eastern side, the Atlantic Ocean’s high energy waves crash against the edge of Florida’s largest barrier island. The Indian River Lagoon rules the landscape with two dozen habitats found within its watershed.
Along the lagoon’s western side, ancient sandy scrublands straddle the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. Two ocean inlets bookend the region: Ponce Inlet on the north end and Sebastian Inlet to the south.
Festival field trips were chosen to highlight the best birding, wildlife, and habitat areas in the Space Coast region. They will be staffed by some of the world’s finest birding guides. What more could a space-age birder want?
Where else can you find most of the Sunshine State’s most sought-after birds and wildlife all in one place? More than 330 species of birds are found in or migrate through our county. Alligators? We have them by the thousands. Hop on a St. Johns River airboat ride and you will see. Manatees? 1/3 of the state’s population of these beloved iconic animals can be found here. In January, they hover around a warm water discharge at a local power plant that’s off-limits to the public. We’ve made it easy to see manatees in their winter habitat and lots of waterbirds in their breeding plumage on the Manatees of Blue Spring and St. Johns River Cruise. Roseate Spoonbills and Reddish Egrets can be seen in a variety of places. Join the Blue Dolphin Ultimate Boat Birding & Wildlife Journey to see nesting spoonbills and other waders on a rookery island as well as a variety of ships (and birds) at Port Canaveral.
Botttlenose Dolphins? You should see plenty on the Blue Dolphin Ultimate Boat Birding & Wildlife Journey; Beach Birds Boat Trip on the Halifax River; Barrier Island Center & Pelican Island Boat Trip, and the Offshore Birding & Wildlife Adventure. By the way, birders spotted 14 species of shorebirds on the Beach Birds Boat Trip on the Halifax River in 2020. The offshore trip also has a potential for sightings of Atlantic Spotted Dolphin, North Atlantic Right Whale and Humpback Whale. Sea turtles? We have them by the tens of thousands in the summertime. The only place where you are likely to spot one this time of the year is near the warm waters of the Gulfstream on the offshore trip.
Some of the field trips will utilize buses for transportation. Others require attendees to drive their own vehicles and meet at the sites. Field trip leaders’ names and affiliations will be added to the trip descriptions later. Please make sure that you fill up your water bottles prior to participating on a field trip and take them with you. Dress warmly in layers, wear closed-toed shoes and above all — have fun!
