Category: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

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Thanks to Roseate Spoonbills, pink is my favorite autumn color

Roger Simmons, November 26, 2025November 26, 2025

I’m not sure what it is about these birds that is so captivating, but I love to watch and photograph them.

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Caspian Terns go fishing at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

I love to watch these largest members of the tern family dive into the water looking to make a catch.

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Merritt Island abounds with Northern Flickers

Roger Simmons, November 20, 2025November 20, 2025

I came across more of these colorful little woodpeckers than ever before, spotting them along the Black Point Wildlife Drive and the Scrub Ridge Trail at MINWR.

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Making the most of a morning at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

I went on a recent breezy day, and the number of birds around was low. But the ones I did get to see were worth the trip.

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It’s finally fall, and birds are coming back

Roger Simmons, October 20, 2025October 19, 2025

A lot of birds have been popping up across Central Florida, from the Orlando Wetlands to Merritt Island to Lake Apopka to Osceola County.

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Fun to find new birds to add to my life list

Roger Simmons, September 9, 2025September 8, 2025

That’s what happened over Labor Day weekend when I saw two new birds at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

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Hot pink summer: Flamingos hang on at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, August 4, 2025August 4, 2025

When I visited them in early July, there were still 14 at Bird Island. Recent posts say their numbers dropped to seven as August began.

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Spending July 4 with birds at Merritt Island

Roger Simmons, July 26, 2025July 26, 2025

The birds didn’t seem to care about the holiday, and the humans seemed to be sleeping in for it.

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Story of Merritt Island flamingos still being written

Roger Simmons, June 30, 2025June 30, 2025

While other birds swept into the area by storms returned home, the flamingos at Merritt Island decided to, perhaps, make it their new home.

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Reddish Egret puts on a sunset show

Roger Simmons, June 29, 2025June 29, 2025

Reddish Egrets are eye-catching and entertaining with their hunting methods, in which they often appear to be dancing across the water.