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Screech Owl mania at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, May 12, 2025May 12, 2025

I’ve been making some trips to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge looking for the little Eastern Screech Owls, and I’m not the only one.

Roger Simmons, May 11, 2025May 11, 2025

Killdeer are pretty common around here. They are year-round residents but look striking with their black stripes and neon-orange eyeliner.

Roger Simmons, May 10, 2025May 9, 2025

Tricolored Herons, Snowy Egrets and Eurasian Collared Doves can be found everywhere in Florida – and there were plenty in the rookery.

Roger Simmons, May 9, 2025May 9, 2025

The Eastern Screech Owls were little 6-to-9-inch-tall birds I spotted along Bio Lab Road at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Roger Simmons, May 8, 2025May 5, 2025

I was treated to an American Oystercatcher at work, a pair of Reddish Egrets dancing in the lagoon and a spectacular Gulf Coast sunset.

Roger Simmons, May 7, 2025May 5, 2025

I made several sunset visits in April with specific birds in mind to photograph, but I also took pictures of many other birds, too.

Roger Simmons, May 6, 2025May 5, 2025

There were several nests that had babies in them of different ages – ranging from newly hatched to some that had hatched weeks ago.

Roger Simmons, May 5, 2025May 12, 2025

Of course, I had to pull over, make my way through some brush and get to the pond to photograph these amazing pink birds.

Roger Simmons, May 4, 2025May 3, 2025

Last weekend, I visited the park and was happy to see many of the birds have returned – including migrating warblers.

Roger Simmons, May 3, 2025May 2, 2025

Paragliders flew around the cypress dome near the boardwalk, upsetting visitors as well as the large number of nesting birds there.