Hurricane Milton caused a lot of damage at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and at the Canaveral National Seashore.
It wasn’t until fairly recently that Black Point Wildlife Drive and Bio Lab Road re-opened. Some other areas still remain closed because of high water or flooding damage.
I visited the refuge in early November to check out the areas that were open. While I didn’t see any migratory birds (I guess it was still a little early) I did come across a lot of the “regulars” who you can find at the refuge almost any time.
It was good to see that the storm and damage didn’t scare them away.
Female Common Yellowthroat warbler with a little bug for breakfast, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Brown Pelican, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Caspian Tern, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Greater Yellowlegs, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Double-crested Cormorant, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Male Belted Kingfisher, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Anhinga, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.White Ibis, Reddish Egret and Little Blue Heron, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Reddish Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Bald Eagle, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Dunlin with a little fish, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Juvenile Little Blue Heron, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.Northern Harrier, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, November 2024.
The small part that I did see was impressive – a great pond with lots of wading birds and a rookery for egrets and other birds. An adult and juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron flew overhead, and a pair of Roseate Spoonbills were hanging around.
