Merritt Island

Merritt Island NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merritt_Island_National_Wildlife_Refuge Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is on the Atlantic coast of Florida's largest barrier island. NASA's Kennedy Space Center and visitor complex are also situated on the island and NASA can restrict access to the refuge based on its operational needs. The NWR contains over 1000 species of plants, 117 species of fish, 68 amphibians and reptiles, 330 birds, and 31 mammal species, of which 21 species are listed as endangered. The Merritt Island NWR Complex provides hiking and driving trails for the public, subject to access restrictions from NASA. It is a 'gateway site' for the Great Florida Birding Trail.



PINE FLATWOODS A 1 mile loop (1.6 km). Allow 30-40 minutes. The trail follows established fire break roads. The pine flatwoods ecosystem is dominated by fire tolerant plants such as slash pine, several species of scrub oaks, saw palmetto gall berry and wire grass. This plant community provides important habitat to many species of reptiles, amphibians, large and small mammals, hawks, owls, wood peckers, and songbirds. Look for birds in all layers of the pine forest: the canopy, sub-canopy, and scrub. Old tall pine tress are the preferred nest trees for bald eagles. Over a dozen eagle nests occur on the Refuge. When the habitat becomes slightly higher and drier, scrub oaks become the dominant plant. Scrub jays utilize this habitat. Look for them in open “scrubby” locations. In spring and fall, enjoy the rich palette of colors provided by wildflowers. During the fall, winter, and spring look for migratory songbirds, raptors, and nesting bald eagles. Scrub jays are common all year. DIRECTIONS FROM VISITORS CENTER Turn right out of the entrance road to the Visitors Center. Go to the traffic light and turn left onto SR3. Pine Flatwoods is 10.5 miles from the traffic light. MAPS Maps are pictured on interpretive signs at each trailhead. WHAT TO BRING Plenty of drinking water, a hat, sunscreen. Use mosquito and tick repellent year round. Mosquitoes can be heavy during the wet season from May through September. PARKING There is plenty of parking at all trailheads. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Titusville, Florida Hiking Trails HANDICAP ACCESS There is no handicap access on any trail except the Boardwalk at the Visitors Center. HIKING AREAS OTHER THAN TRAILS Areas other than trails may be hiked unless posted with a sign stating “Area Closed”. Dike roads between impoundments vary in length and can provide interesting hikes. BICYCLES Bicycles are prohibited on all Refuge trails. Bicycles are permitted on roadways. SR 406 is closed to bicycle use during the hours of 6:00 – 8:00 am and 3:00 – 5:00 pm. SAFETY All trails are essentially flat with little elevation gain. Shoes should be sturdy and have closed toes. Watch for roots and rocks. Boardwalks may be slippery when wet. Thunderstorms are common in summer. If weather threatens return to your vehicle as soon as possible. Poison ivy is common along many trails. Although uncommon there are several venomous snakes in the Refuge. Spider webs should be avoided. Do not feed or approach wildlife. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Phone: 321/861-0667 BOARDWALK A ¼ mile loop (.4 km). Allow 15 minutes. The Boardwalk offers great views of two freshwater ponds, a native butterfly garden, hammock, a wetland prairie and associated wildlife. It is posted with twelve interpretive signs. There are three benches along the Boardwalk. Be sure to pick up the detailed guide to the Boardwalk from the Visitor Center desk. DIRECTIONS FROM VISITORS CENTER The Boardwalk is directly behind the Visitors Center and open during Visitor Center hours. Wheelchair access is available through the Visitors Center. OAK AND PALM HAMMOCK Dominant trees are live oak, cabbage palm, laurel oak, pignut hickory, red maple, and American elm. Tropical species such as Simpson stopper, wild coffee, and wild orange are common in the scrub layer. Air plants and orchids are in the canopy. Hardwood hammocks provide important wildlife habitat for a wide variety of songbirds, hawks, woodpeckers, owls, wrens, and mammals. Hammocks commonly occur in zones between the uplands and wetlands and are naturally protected from fire by their position on the landscape. OAK HAMMOCK A 3/4 mile loop (1.2 km). Allow 20-30 minutes. The trail is a figure 8 that winds through seasonally flooded forests. Be sure to take both loops. It is posted with interpretive signs that explain the ecology of the hammock community. There are three benches along the trail. PALM HAMMOCK A 2 mile loop (3.2 km). Allow 40-50 minutes. The trail makes a loop through the palm hammock and returns on the same path. Hiking conditions can be muddy after rain. DIRECTIONS FROM VISITORS CENTER Turn right out of the entrance road to the Visitors Center. The Hammock Trails are 1.2 miles on the left. Both trails cross a railroad track which can be a challenge for individuals with disabilities. CRUICKSHANK AND WILD BIRD WILD BIRD A ½ mile (0.8 km) round trip that follows a gravel lined dike road. Allow 30 minutes. The trail offers views of two distinctly different wildlife habitats each of which has a viewing blind. The water level of the habitat to the right rises and falls with tides of the Indian River Lagoon. Exposed mudflats and tidal wetlands attract a variety of shorebirds. Mixed species such as avocet, ruddy turnstone, willet, semipalmated plover and stilts are often seen feeding together.Water levels of the habitat on the left are controlled to a depth of 12-18 inches. Watch for waterfowl, raptors, and wading





Merrritt Island National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 2683 Titusville, FL 32781 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island 321/861 0669 Visitor Center U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD March 2019 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Bird List photo: James Lyon Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, located just east of Titusville, shares a common boundary with the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Its coastal location, tropic-like climate, and wide variety of habitat types contribute to Merritt Island’s diverse bird population. The Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee lists 521 species of birds statewide. To date, 359 species have been identified on the refuge. Of special interest are breeding populations of Bald Eagles, Brown Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets, and Mottled Ducks. Spectacular migrations of passerine birds, especially warblers, occur during spring and fall. In winter tens of thousands of waterfowl may be seen. Eight species of herons and egrets are commonly observed year-round. Tips on Birding A good field guide and binoculars provide the basic tools useful in the observation and identification of birds. While marshes and shallow impoundments are the most productive birding areas, in order to find the widest variety of bird species, you should also visit mangrove-rimmed shorelines, cabbage palm and hardwood hammocks, palmetto and pine uplands, oak scrub and the beach. The refuge has provided trails and roads into each of these habitat types in order to enhance bird watching opportunities. The cool weather months (October-April) are generally the best time of year for birding. The best times of the day are early morning and late afternoon. Using This List This checklist is arranged taxonomically by order (solid line) and family. Representatives from 18 orders and 60 families have been identified on the refuge. The word family is a classification term that places birds of similar appearance and habits into one group. Closely related families make up an order. All birds in the same order have some common characteristics. Learning to recognize families and orders can help in identifying new birds you may encounter at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. This list is in accordance with the “Checklist of Florida Birds” as updated by the Florida Ornithological Society’s Records Committee through December 31, 2015. Seasonal Occurrences SP - Spring - March, April, May SU - Summer - June, July, August FA - Fall - September, October, November WN - Winter - December, January, February You may see some species outside the seasons indicated on this checklist. This phenomenon is quite common for many birds. However, the checklist is designed to indicate the general trend of migration and seasonal abundance for each species and, therefore, does not account for unusual occurrences. Abundance Designation C – Common - These birds are present in large numbers, are widespread, and should be seen if you look in the correct habitat. U – Uncommon - These birds are present, but because of their low numbers, behavior, habitat, or distribution, they are not usually seen. However, an experienced bird watcher should be able to find them by looking in the right places at the right times. O – Occasional - These birds are present in low numbers and are not expected to be seen without a special effort to find them. At least a few are seen each year. R – Rare - These birds are not expected to be seen every year. They occur in low numbers, may also be secretive or hard to identify, and may be unreported for several years. DATE - A date indicates the most recent sighting of an accidental species, extremely Rare species, or a species that has not been seen on the Refuge recently due to changes in habitat conditions. Their occurrence here is considered so unusual as to not be expected. *-- Breeds on the Refuge. Status Listed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (E) – Federal endangered species (T) – Federal threatened species Listed by the Florida Wildlife Commission (FL-E) – FL endangered species (FL-T) – FL threatened species (FL-SSC) – FL species of special concern (FL-NNS) – FL non-native species SP SU FA WN Status Ducks, Geese, and Swans Black-bellied Whistling Duck R R R R Fulvous Whistling Duck R R R Greater White-fronted Goose 2005 Snow Goose O O Ross’s Goose 2009 Brant R R R Canada Goose R Mute Swan 2009 (FL-NNS) Tundra Swan 2010 Muscovy Duck 2007 (FL-NNS) Wood Duck * O O O Gadwall U U U Eurasian Wigeon R R R American Wigeon O C C American Black Duck R R R Mallard O O O Mottled Duck * C C C C Blue-winged Teal C O C C Cinnamon Teal 2019 Northern Shoveler C R C C White-cheeked Pintail 1996 (FL-NNS) Northern Pintail U C C Green-winged Teal U C C Canvasback O O U Redhead U U U Ring-necked Duck O C C Greater Scaup U U U Lesser Scaup C U C C Common Eider 2018 Harlequin Duck 1960 Surf Scoter O

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Boating and Fishing 2019 Sport Fishing Regulations (including crabbing, clamming, oystering and shrimping) You may recreationally fish, crab, clam, oyster, and shrimp in the Indian River Lagoon, Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, mosquito control impoundments and interior freshwater lakes except for the restricted areas of the Kennedy Space Center or as noted below. In advance of launches, the normal restricted area is expanded which temporarily closes certain waters that are normally open to sports fishing. If you have questions regarding these temporary closures, you may call the Refuge for more information. Individuals found in NASA’s normal or expanded Restricted Area are subject to arrest. All Florida Fishing Regulations apply as well as the following Refuge Specific Regulations: n n You must posses a current signed Refuge Sports Fishing Permit at all times while fishing on the Refuge. The permit is self-issuing and assures you have read and understand Merritt Island NWR’s fishing regulations. You may fish at night from a boat in the waters of Haulover Canal, Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon and Banana River. Bank fishing after dark is not permitted. Impoundments and interior ponds are not open to night fishing. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 2683 Titusville, FL 32781 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island 321/861 0669 Visitor Center n You may launch a boat at night from: Bairs Cove and Beacon 42. All other Refuge Boat Ramps are closed to night launching. n You may not crab or fish from Black Point Wildlife Drive or any side road connected to Black Point Wildlife Drive except L Pond Road. n You may not launch boats, canoes, kayaks, or stand up paddle boards from Black Point Wildlife Drive or any side road connected to Black Point except L Pond Road. n n n Motorized vessels are not permitted in the Banana River within the posted No-Motor Zone. This includes any vessel having an attached or non-attached internal combustion or electric trolling motor capable of use. You may not use air thrust boats, hover craft, personal watercraft, or engage in kite surfing, kite boarding, wind surfing, sail boarding and other similar non-wildlife oriented recreational activities in Refuge waters. Vessel speeds must not exceed Idle Speed in Bairs Cove and KARS Marina or Slow Speed/Minimum Wake in Haulover Canal. Florida law also regulates boat speeds on other waters of the Refuge. n You may not harvest or posses horseshoe crabs, frogs, turtles, snakes or other wildlife. n Commercial fishermen and fishing guides are required to obtain and carry an annual Commercial Special Use Permit. n Fishing in the immediate vicinity of the Manatee Viewing Deck, both from the shore or from a boat, is prohibited. n Camping, fireworks and open fires are prohibited. n Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all provisions of State and Local laws. n Pets must remain on a leash and be under control at all times. n Fish cleaning is not allowed on Refuge Property. n Littering is prohibited and subjected to a fine. We prohibit glass beverage containers. n Vehicles, boats, equipment and other belongings are subject to inspection by law enforcement. Merritt Island NWR 2019 Fishing Permit Merritt Island NWR 2019 Fishing Permit Name:_____________________________ Name:_____________________________ Address:____________________________ Address:____________________________ U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD ____________________________________ ____________________________________ January 2019 Signature:___________________________ Signature:___________________________ (I have read and understand all Refuge (I have read and understand all Refuge fishing regulations.) fishing regulations.) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service n To improve fishing and protect grass flats, two Pole & Troll Zones have been established in Mosquito Lagoon (see map). The zones are delineated with buoys. Within the zones, internal combustion engines must be shut off (except in posted channels) and vessels drafting more than 12 inches at rest must not enter. Vessels may be propelled by a non-motorized power source such as drifting, push poles, paddles, etc. Electric trolling may be used through the zones. Boats may operate internal combustion engines only in the posted channels within the Pole & Troll Zones. n The use of internal combustion engines is restricted to the perimeter impoundment ditch at all times, to reduce habitat degradation and damage to the marsh. Vessels may be propelled outside the impoundment perimeter ditches by push-poles, paddles, or electric motors only. Internal combustion engines must be shut off while inside impoundments past the perimeter ditch. n Commercial fishing activities are not allowed inside Refuge impoundments. Additional information may

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunting Regulations 2020-2021 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Permit 2020-2021 Name:________________________________ Print Address:________________________________ I have read and understand all Refuge hunting regulations.) _______________________________________ Signature (This permit is only valid when signed.) In case of emergency call 321/867 7911 Federal Wildlife Officer 407-275-4150_7 1 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Permit 2020-2021 Print Address:________________________________ I have read and understand all Refuge hunting regulations.) August 2020 _______________________________________ Signature (This permit is only valid when signed.) 1 800/344 WILD U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island Signature Card Contact #: 321/861 0669 321/861 0669 Visitor Center Titusville, FL 32781 P.O. Box 2683 Name:________________________________ Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Zones Merritt Island In case of emergency call 321/867 7911 Federal Wildlife Officer 407-275-4150_7 2 Welcome to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/Refuge) was established in 1963 as an overlay of the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Some areas of the Refuge can be closed by NASA for safety or security purposes. Individuals found inside NASA’s “normal” or “expanded” restricted areas are subject to arrest. Merritt Island NWR and KSC maintain the right to close any portion of the refuge for any length of time. In that case, we will not refund or reissue any permits. • Three total guests are allowed per quota permit and each guest must remain within 30 yards of the quota permitted hunter. The tremendous variety of habitats found on the Refuge and its location on the Atlantic Flyway makes the Refuge an important wintering area for migratory birds. Hunting ducks, mergansers, and coots is allowed in designated areas of the Refuge. • We require an adult, age 18 or older, to supervise hunters age 15 and younger. • Biolab Road is a one-way road from north to south to Max Hoeck Road and a two-way road from Max Hoeck Road to Playalinda Beach Road. • Hunters must have on their person all applicable Florida hunting licenses and permits and must comply with State requirements for hunter-education courses. • Legal shooting hours are ½ hour before legal sunrise until 12 noon. All waterfowl hunters must remove all equipment and must be off the Refuge by 1 pm daily. • Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all provisions of Federal, State, and local law. Persons may only discharge firearms in accordance with Federal regulations. • Hunters may enter the Refuge no earlier than 4 am for the purpose of waterfowl hunting. Waterfowl hunting is permitted on 36,000 acres of the Refuge. The remainder of the Refuge is closed to hunting to protect non-game birds and endangered species and to permit other recreational activities. The waters of the Banana River are closed to hunting at all times. Concentration of waterfowl occur in the open brackish waters of Mosquito Lagoon and impoundments which are managed for freshwater. See map on back for details. There are color maps on our website at: www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island. Waterfowl-Specific Hunting Regulations Waterfowl hunting on the Refuge is in accordance with State and Federal Migratory Bird Regulations. Hunters should consult these regulations before going afield. Listed below are Refugespecific regulations that pertain to Merritt Island NWR for waterfowl hunting. These regulations may be modified annually or as habitat, populations, or other conditions change. Violation of regulations may result in the loss of hunting privileges. License and Permits • Hunters must carry a valid State-issued Merritt Island NWR ‘Waterfowl Quota Permit’, which can be purchased through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) while hunting in areas 1 or 4 from the beginning of the regular waterfowl season through end of State season. The Quota Hunt Permit is a limited entry/quota permit, area-specific, and nontransferable. • All hunters must possess and carry a current signed Waterfowl Hunt Brochure (Refuge Permit). • We prohibit access, launching a boat, or leaving a vehicle parked for hunting purposes on Black Point Wildlife Drive, Playalinda Beach Road (Beach Road), or Scrub Ridge Trail. No parking in front of gates, barricades or boat ramps. Equipment • Each hunter may possess a maximum of 25 shells during one hunt day which includes both vehicles and boats. • Only steel shot or other approved non-toxic shot is allowed. Possession of lead or other toxic shot is prohibited. • We prohibit construction of permanent blinds or digging into dikes. No equipment may be

Haulover Canal Merritt Island Hunter Check-out Station South ____________________________________ I have read and understand all Refuge hunting regulations. In case of emergency call 321/867 7911 Federal Wildlife Officer 407-275-4150_7 1 ± Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Big Game Hunt Permit 2020-2021 Name: _______________________________ Print ____________________________________ I have read and understand all Refuge hunting regulations. August 2020 ____________________________________ Signature (This permit is only valid when signed.) 1 800/344 WILD U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island Signature Card Contact #: 321/861 0669 321/861 0669 Visitor Center Titusville, FL 32781 P.O. Box 2683 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Miles 1.5 0.75 0 Refuge Boundary Roads Address: ______________________________ Zone 5 (Beacon 42) Zone 4 (Pine Flatwoods) Zone 1 (Shiloh) Zone 3 (WSEG) Indian River Lagoon Zone 5 Rd k ee Cr lo til Pa Pine Flatwoods Rd. Zone 4 Print Address: ______________________________ ____________________________________ Signature (This permit is only valid when signed.) Merritt Island NWR Big Game Hunt Zones u e Ro Name: _______________________________ Zone 2 (Gomez Grant Line) Shiloh 3 Rd. er th d ea W er R w To d GR E WS Zone 1 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Big Game Hunt Permit 2020-2021 Beacon 42 Mosquito Lagoon ad Ro 52 1 National Wildlife Refuge Big Game Hunting Regulations 2020-2021 d Roa 132 3 t e z me Go Stat Fred's Rd Zone 3 7 12 ad Ro Zone 2 1 27 tL in e ad Ro an Gr 1 US Hunter Check-out Station North Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Big Game Hunt Zones U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service In case of emergency call 321/867 7911 Federal Wildlife Officer 407-275-4150_7 2 Welcome to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/ Refuge) was established in 1963 as an overlay of the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Some areas of the Refuge can be closed by NASA for safety or security purposes. Individuals found inside NASA’s “normal” or “expanded” restricted areas are subject to arrest. Merritt Island NWR and KSC maintain the right to close any portion of the Refuge for any length of time. In that case, we will not refund or reissue any permits. The hunt area lies within Volusia and Brevard Counties in Florida. Hunting white-tailed deer and feral hog is allowed in designated zones on the Refuge. Each hunt is permitted as a three day hunt for 30 permitted hunters. The hunt area includes 5,000 acres of upland habitat along State Route 3, north of Haulover Canal between the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon. The remainder of the Refuge is closed to protect endangered species and to permit other recreational activities. There are five hunt zones named: (1) Shiloh (2) Gomez Grant Line (3) WSEG (4) Pine Flatwoods and (5) Beacon 42. The hunt zones provide a variety of habitats suited for whitetailed deer and feral hogs. Pine Flatwoods hiking trail and WSEG boat ramp will be closed to all public use during hunt except permitted hunters. See map on back for details. There are color maps on our website at: www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island Big Game Hunting-Specific Regulations Big game hunting on the Refuge is allowed in accordance with State and Federal Regulations. Hunters should consult these regulations before going afield. Listed below are Refuge-specific regulations that pertain to Merritt Island NWR for Big Game Hunting. These regulations may be modified annually or as habitat, populations, or other conditions change. Violation of regulations may result in the loss of hunting privileges. License and Permits • Hunters must carry a valid State-issued Merritt Island NWR ‘Big Game Quota Hunt Permit,’ which can be purchased through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The Quota Hunt Permit is a limited entry/ quota permit, zone-specific, and nontransferable. • All hunters must possess and carry a current signed Big Game Hunt Brochure (Refuge Permit). • Permitted hunters may take one adult guest and each adult guest may take one youth hunter. The party must remain within 30 yards of the quota permitted hunter. • Hunters must have on their persons all applicable Florida hunting licenses and permits and must comply with State requirements for hunter-education courses. • Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on a National Wildlife Refuge must comply with all provisions of Federal, State and local law. Persons may only discharge firearms in accordance with Refuge regulations. Equipment • Crossbows are not allowed unless you obtain a “Persons with Disabilities Crossbow Permit” from FWC. • Archery hunters must wear at least 500 square inches of solid fluorescent-orange color while moving to and from their vehicles, to their stands or hunting spots, and while tracking or dragging out game. • No field or