I’ve been going to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge regularly during the past year, but I usually ended up at Black Point Wildlife Drive.
This year, in addition to Black Point, I’ve been trying to explore different areas – including Gator Creek, East Gator Creek and Biolab roads. They offer a great habitat for wading birds and more.
There’s a Northern Harrier that hangs out on East Gator Creek, and I have photographed it a couple of times – including a recent outing where it was flying around clutching what I believe was a shotgun shell casing.
Here are some recent shots from several different trips to MINWR.
Northern Harrier, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Northern Harrier, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Northern Harrier, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Northern Harrier, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Northern Harrier, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024. It’s giving me the side-eye.American Avocets, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024. American Avocets, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024. Black Skimmer, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Black Skimmer, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024. Note it’s catch in is beak.Black Skimmer, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Black Skimmer, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024. And a successful catch for it.Black Skimmer, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Great Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024. Snacking on a little shrimp.Great Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Great Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Reddish Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024. Its doing its best Superman pose facing into the wind after sunrise.Reddish Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Reddish Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Little Blue Heron, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024. Its muddy feet kicked up debris while taking off.Killdeer, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Black-necked Stilts, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Black-necked Stilts, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Black-necked Stilts, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.Sunset at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, March 2024.
On a recent visit to UCF’s Arboretum just before sunset. I was rewarded with sightings of daddy and baby Eastern Bluebirds, and red-headed male and female Pileated Woodpeckers.
Some are returning birds, like the Palm Warbler and the Yellow-throated Warbler. Some are new, like the female Painted Bunting. And some are regulars, like the Northern Cardinal and the Blue Jay.
