It’s finally happening. Winter migration is in full swing, and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is teeming with all types of birds.
The sheer amount of birds and the plethora of different species that have arrived is impressive.
On a visit last Sunday I saw my first Roseate Spoonbills of the season, as well as a lot of different duck species – including American Wigeons (above) – and I even came across a wayward Snow Bunting.
The new arrivals join the impressive population of various birds that call MINWR home most of the year.
It sure looks like the next couple of months will be great for birding!
Roseate Spoonbill, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Roseate Spoonbills, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Mottled Duck (center) and Blue-winged Teal Ducks, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Female and male American Wigeon ducks, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Northern Flicker, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Loggerhead Shrike, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Loggerhead Shrike, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Eastern Towhee, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Female Belted Kingfisher, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Royal Tern, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Bald Eagle, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Bald Eagle, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Pie-billed Grebe, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Reddish Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.Reddish Egret, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2024.
