Canaveral

Canaveral National Seashore Florida The inviting seashore Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Florida A loggerhead turtle at the sea's edge An annual ritual A refuge resident: a bald eagle newcomer here. The earliest known inhabitants were aboriginal Indians. Some of their burial mounds and shell middens remain as evidence of their civilization along the shores of Mosquito Lagoon. Later groups included Spanish explorers, British colonists, and citrus growers. In more recent years, mosquito control activities and rocket launches have left their mark on the landscape. 1975, the National Park Service took on the dual responsibility of preserving the primitive barrier beach while providing for public enjoyment of its resources. Thus three different governmental agencies have joined to ensure the proper mesh of the Nation's highly technical space program, wildlife management, and public recreation. Shallow marshes along the border between water and upland areas and along the beach and dune line are excellent places to find birds. Not all wildlife is as evident and spectacular as some of the birdlife, but patience and luck will pay off with glimpses of other animals. The ghost crab is one creature dependent on both land and sea. Although of marine origin, this nocturnal scavenger lives in burrows on the upper beach and dunes. These same beaches serve as nesting sites for giant loggerhead and green sea turtles during summer nights. By morning, only a bulldozer-like track remains to mark the turtles' route. Sanctuaries for Man and Beast Each fall thousands of ducks, like this pintail, and other waterfowl fly in to the marshes and waters around Merritt Island. This barrier island, subject to the powers of wind, water, and shifting sand, is a place of constant physical alteration. Atlantic waves break on its eastern side and the waters of Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River lap quietly on the west. These waters moderate the temperatures and help create a year-round subtropical haven. Hammocks of ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss grow within walking distance of palmetto-covered sand dunes. Salt marshes, man-made impoundments, mangrove islands, and the estuaries of lagoon and river serve as feeding grounds for an array of animals. Pine flatwoods and other vegetation create habitats for a variety of wildlife. Today you can enjoy the recreational opportunities of ocean beaches, fishing, boating, hunting, and wildlife watching, but man is no In the early 1960s the Kennedy Space Center was established on part of Merritt Island. Not all the land was needed for the space program and two other agencies were invited to help manage the area. In 1963, the Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with NASA, established the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge as a sanctuary for wintering waterfowl. With the creation of Canaveral National Seashore in Birdlife abounds on Merritt Island, with more than 280 species recorded. Gulls, terns, sandpipers, herons, egrets, ibises, pelicans, and osprey provide a colorful array of movement and song. The patient birdwatcher may also get to see the majestic flight of the bald eagle, the comical dance of the reddish egret, or the colorful display of the roseate spoonbill. The best time of day to observe birds and other wildlife is the early morning and late afternoon. A variety of other reptiles inhabits the dunes and the sand scrub community behind them, where rodents and other prey are plentiful. Vividly marked pine snakes and king snakes are sometimes seen, as are diamondback rattlesnakes, and harmless box turtles. American alligators, virtual symbols of the subtropics, bask in the sun at the edge of the inland waters. Raccoons, bobcats,and armadillos roam throughout the area, and are sometimes seen along park roads. Whales and dolphins are occasionally sighted offshore, while manatees, or sea cows, live in the waters of Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River. Several of the Nation's endangered and threatened wildlife species are found at Merritt Island. These include the southern bald eagle, eastern brown pelican, peregrine falcon, eastern indigo snake, dusky seaside sparrow, American alligator, Florida manatee, Atlantic salt marsh snake, and the green, ridley, leatherback, and Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles. Facilities and Area Information Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge are located midway down the Florida east coast between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach. The Seashore and Refuge are readily accessible via such major routes as U.S. 1, I-95, I-4, and I-75. New Smyrna Beach, the northern access point, is located on Fla. A1A. Titusville, the southern access point, is located on Fla. 402. The Intracoastal Waterway, which links Florida with the north by water, skirts the western edge of Mosquito Lagoon before entering the Indian River via the Haulover Canal. Playalinda Beach on the Seashore's southern edge is within easy viewing distance of the NASA rocket installations and is now the principal beach area. The climate of the area is subtropical, with short, mild winters and hot, humid summers. Ocean temperatures remain relatively warm all year. The entire Refuge and Seashore are open for day use only. Playalinda Beach and other sections may be closed at other times because of activities at Kennedy Space Center. Camping is not permitted, but numerous private campgrounds are located in the nearby communities. Picnic tables are available near the snack bar at Playalinda Beach and at the information station in the Turtle Mound area at the north end of Appollo Beach. Picnicking is permitted on the beach itself, although no open fires may be built. Portable grills may be used if the coals are removed from the beach. Snacks and cold drinks may be purchased at the snack bar at the south end of Playalinda Beach. This is the only source of supplies within the Refuge and Seashore. Drinking water is available only at the headquarters buildings for the Seashore and Refuge during normal office hours. There is no running water elsewhere, and there are no beach showers for swimmers. Mosquito Lagoon is not a whimsical name; when visiting the inland areas away from the influence of offshore breezes, be sure to carry a repellant to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Preservation of this natural environment is a primary goal of both the Refuge and the Seashore. Please help by observing the following rules: All natural, historic, and archeological features are protected and are to be left undisturbed. Vehicles are restricted to the roads; they are not allowed on the beach. Dogs and other pets must be physically restrained at all times. Metal detectors and airboats are prohibited. The Seashore and Refuge are located beneath the Atlantic Flyway, which is a major migratory route for birds between their southern wintering grounds and northern breeding areas. For many birds the journey begins in the tundra regions of Alaska and Canada and, for some it ends in the tropics of Florida and the Caribbean. This journey covers 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) to 9,700 kilometers (6,000 miles) and, if conditions are right, can take less than a week. Merritt Island is a key wintering area and supports a population of 50,000 to 70,000 ducks and more than 100,000 coots. Each fall, hunting of migratory waterfowl is allowed within the boundaries of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. For generations hunting in the marshes and lagoons of Merritt Island has been an annual rite, an important part of the history of the area, and a major aspect of waterfowl management. The use of firearms is permitted only in accordance with the hunting season as regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Florida. For further information you may wish to write to the superintendent, Canaveral National Seashore, P.O. Box 2583, Titusville, FL 32780, or to the manager, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box6504, Titusville, FL32780. Canaveral National Seashore Florida On the Island At the Beach Two beach areas can be reached by road: Playalinda Beach at the south end and Apollo Beach at the north. Each has parking areas and crosswalks which provide access to the beach without trampling the native dune vegetation. Playing in the sand with some of your friends is a delightful way to spend time at the beach. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Florida Lifeguards are on duty at the southernmost end of Playalinda Beach during the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. Swimmers should beware of rough surf conditions, strong ocean currents, stinging jellyfish, and Portuguese man-of-war. Ocean temperatures remain relatively warm all year. Violent thunderstorms with abundant lightning are common during the summer, so don't be a target. Get out of the water and off the beach. Wait out the storm under shelter. Surfing is permitted except where lifeguards are on beach duty. Surf fishing in the breaker zone will yield scrappy bluefish and Spanish mackerel, whiting, pompano, and a variety of other sport fish. Size and possession limits are subjectto Florida fishing regulations. You don't, however, need a license. Fishing is allowed except where lifeguards are on beach duty, and swimmers are in the water. The section of beach between Apollo and Playalinda is accessible by foot only and offers a chance to enjoy sea and sky undisturbed by any intrusion. In planning this or any other beach hikes, bear in mind the absence of freshwater for drinking and the possible effects of the sun and biting insects. Timing is important, too. The right combination of high tides and rough surf can leave hikers with little or no beach on which to walk. Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon, with their shallow, brackish water and dense aquatic grass beds, provide ideal feeding and breeding conditions for mullet, redfish, trout, and other sport and commercial fish. Crabbing, clamming, and shrimping are also popular activities. The freshwater impoundments in the interior of the island offer fishing for largemouth bass and bream. Freshwater fishing requires a State license. Check locally for current fishing regulations. Boat-launching sites provide access to both the lagoon and the river. Each is excellent for pleasure boating, sailing, water skiing, and other water sports. Canoeists can explore the island's network of streams and open water. the marks that these acts have made on the landscape, few intrusions are readily visible in the Seashore and the Refuge, ensuring the continued wildness of this section of coastline. Black Point Wildlife Drive meanders through pine flatwoods and impounded marsh and is an excellent place to observe waterfowl and marsh and wading birds. Allow 30-45 minutes to make the drive. All in all, you will be surprised at what you find, for despite man's attempts to subdue nature and Oak Hammock Trail is a hiking loop that gives you an opportunity to observe the ecology of a hardwood hammock. Allow about 30 minutes to make the complete loop. At Turtle Mound, a short self-guiding trail leads to the top of an Indian shell midden. The midden itself will give you an idea of a prehistoric lifestyle and its top serves as an excellent point for viewing the Atlantic Ocean and Mosquito Lagoon. Walking time is about 15 minutes round trip. Max Hoeck Creek Wildlife Drive follows a railroad through an impounded marsh and uplands just west of Playalinda Beach. Alligators, wading birds, waterfowl, and marsh birds are commonly seen along the route, which takes 20 minutes or longer to drive. yyGPO: 1980-311-309/39 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Off ice. Washington, DC 20402