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Bird and Wildlife Watching
Freshwater and Uplands Habitats
Space Coast North
Bird and wildlife watching opportunities associated with the St. Johns River, it's tributaries and Upland Woods Habitats along Florida's Space Coast.
This Symbol indicates that the site is a designated site of the Great Florida Birding Trail
Mainland
 
Salt Lake Conservation Area
From I-95, take SR 46 west. Turn left onto Turpentine Road, then take a right on Panther Lane then a left on Arch Road and follow Arch Road to the main entrance and parking area.
A mixture of upland scrub and wetlands as well as portions of Loughman, Salt, and South Lakes, Salt Lake Conservation Area has a diverse wildlife population ranging from deer, turkey, bobcat, and fox to scrub jays, hawks, egrets, herons, ducks, and songbirds.
Property Map
GPS
N 28 38.415 W 80 53.386
Google Satellite Image
 

Buck Lake Conservation Area
encompasses 9,291 acres and has two entrances and parking areas on the north side of State Road 46. The eastern entrance is .75 mile west of I-95 while the western entrance is 6.4 mile west of I-95. Hiking, biking, horseback riding and hunting in season are allowed here and there are four primative campsites available on a first come, first serve basis. This is a type 2 management area, meaning during hunting periods you must have a valid hunting license to enter the property and no camping is allowed.
The ridge found in the eastern part of the property supports about 200 acres of scrubby flatwoods and oak hammock which is the habitat for the florida scrub jay, Florida's only endemnic bird species. This area can be accessed from several trails that lead from the main East Entrance Trail. In this Google link,(Google Image) I have placed a marker in the middle of the eastern ridge trail network. The trails are clearly visible in this image as is the entrance trail to the left. A basin swamp community dominates the eastern third of the property. this basin receives runoff water from the surrounding uplands and drains into a wet prarie which forms the the headwaters of six mile creek. The western portion of this property features a large floodplain marsh and a large marsh lake, Buck Lake. Overall, this conservation area provides protection for many natural communities and provides habitat for not only scrub jays, but gopher tortoises, bald eagles, otters, deer, fox, bobcats, turkeys, herons, egrets, owls, and woodpeckers.
Property Map
Trail Guide
Out In The Boonies Site

Space Coast Birding Site
GPS (East Trailhead) N 28 40.302 W 80 53.427
Google Satellite Image (East Trailhead)
GPS (Buck Lake Entrance)
N 28 40.333 W 80 58.332
Google Satellite Image (Buck Lake Entrance)

 
Seminole Ranch Conservation Area
is on Hatbill Road off State Road 46 4.1 miles west of the I-95 SR 46 interchange (exit 81). Look for signs for Loughman Lake Lodge and Seminole Ranch Conservation Area on the south side of 46. There are hiking trails in Seminole Ranch at 1.1, 2.3 and 4.1 miles from SR46. This area has a total of 35 miles of hiking trails, including several miles of the Florida Trail which flanks the St. John's River. Primative camping is allowed on the portion east of the St. John's River, as is biking, horseback riding and canoeing. Hatbill Park, a County Park is within the conservation area at the end of Hatbill Road and offers boating and canoeing access to the river.
The area ecompasses 28,785 acres, 96 % of which is within the St. Johns drainage basin and a variety of habitats are found here including pine, palmetto, hardwood, hammocks, freshwater lakes and river, and wetlands. Certain areas have a unique plant community supported by connate saltwater which flows from small springs near Harney and Puzzle lakes. The salinity of small lakes in the area approaches one-third that of sea water. Many salt-tolerant and marine-dwelling organisms present here are not found anywhere else in the St. Johns River. Wildlife found here includes migratory and residential wading birds, while white pelicans, southern bald eagles, roseate spoonbills and sandhill cranes sometimes are sighted. Other wildlife includes bobcats, otters, deer, and alligators.
Space Coast Birding Site
Property Map
GPS
N 28 39.904 W 80 56.393
Google Satellite Image
 
Hatbill Park
100 Hatbill Road, Mims
FROM I-95, take SR-46 Exit-223 west towards Mims/Sanford. Stay on SR-46 for 4.1 miles to Hatbill Road. Turn left and go 8.5 miles to the Hatbill Rd/Baxter Point Rd intersection, keep left and go 0.5 miles to the park.
Boat ramp open 24 hours a day.
A Brevard Couty Park located within the Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, this 15-acre park is great for viewing a sunrise over the St John's River and can provide great birding opportunities, that is if you can pass up all the other great birding ops on the entrance road. It's best to get to the park early and then explore the rest of hatbill road on the way out due to the airboaters who will soon be arriving. Assorted wading birds as well as ducks, raptors, limkins, can be seen here, Along Hatbill Road look for various songbirds and several species of warblers. There are also several hiking trailheads located along the road and one leads to a primitive campsite. See info for Seminole Ranch Conservation Area. just above
Primitive camping by permit at the park on weekends. Call 321-264-5037 for permit and info.
Space Coast Birding Site
GPS N 28 36.351 W 80 57.731
Google Satellite Image
 

Lake Proctor Wilderness Area
Lake Proctor is 15.5 miles west of Interstate 95 on SR 46, on the North side of the road.
The Lake Proctor Wilderness Area is a 475 acre wooded site located in east Seminole County near the Town of Geneva. About 6 miles of trails will take you through a variety of habitats such as sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, mixed hardwood swamp, sandhill or longleaf pine, turkey oak, bayhead swamp and oak hammock. Wildlife observed on this site includes the wood duck, white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, wading birds, migratory songbirds, red fox and Florida worm lizard. The trails are open to hiking and mountain bikes.
Out in the Boonies Site
Out in the Boonies Map
GPS N 28 43.553 W 81 05.929
Google Satellite Image

 
Geneva Wilderness Area
Head south about 1 mile on CR 426 from SR 46 in Geneva. The Wilderness area will be on your left.
The Geneva Wilderness Area is a 180 acre site that lies to the south of the Geneva community on SR 426 in East Seminole County. The Geneva site contains an array of native Florida plant communities from Mixed Hardwood Swamp and Mesic Hammocks to Xeric Oak, all supporting an equally diverse collection of wildlife. A hike through these habitats can reward visitors with sighting gopher tortoise, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, grey fox.
Seminole County Aerial Map PDF
GPS N 28 42.565 W 81 07.429
Google Satellite Image
 
Black Hammock Wilderness Area
Take SR 46 to CR 426 in Geneva, south on CR 426 (4.2 miles). Turn right on Walsh Street, then take the second left onto Florida Ave, then the next right on Barr Street, then turn right onto Howard Ave. Park will be right there on left.
The Black Hammock Wilderness Area, a 700 acre joint purchase with the St. Johns River Water Management District, was acquired as part of a comprehensive effort to preserve significant habitat along the shores of Lake Jesup. A round trip hike of approximately 4.5 miles of trails will take you through habitats such as Mixed Hardwood Swamp, Sand Pine Scrub and Pine Flatwoods. Wildlife observed on this site includes the Barred Owl, White-tailed deer, Bobcat and Eastern Hognose Snake. The variety of habitats and beautiful boardwalk and trail system makes this park a popular destination for local equestrians (no trailer parking), mountain bikers, hikers, photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Seminole County Trails Map PDF
GPS N 28 41.980 W 81 09.546
Google Satellite Image
 

Little Big Econ State Forest
There are two separate tracts to the The Little Big Econ State Forest, the Demetree Tract and the Kilbee Tract.

The Demetree Tract of the Little Big Econ State Forest protects the watershed of one of Floridas most beautiful Blackwater Rivers, the Econlockhatchee, a popular canoeing destination. Along the river one may see wading birds perched in trees, various raptors including Bald Eagles are commonly sighted as well as swallow-tailed kites flying overhead in spring and summer. Woodpeckers and kingfishers are also common sightings. A large variety of songbirds inhabit the forested areas as well as the improved pastureland near the Snow Hill Road entrance. Other sightings may include whitetail deer, turkey, bobcat, otter, alligators, sandhill cranes, and many others.
There are three entrances to the Demetree Tract, the Barr Street Entrance, the Snow Hill Road Entrance, which also serves as the Equestrian use entrance, and the Jones East Trailhead Entrance.
To get to the Barr Street entrance, go south about 4.5 miles on CR 426 from SR 46 in Geneva. The Barr Street entrance will be on the left. To get to the Snow Hill Road entrance, go south on CR 426 from SR 46 in Geneva. In just under a mile, Snow Hill Road veers off to the left. Go about 2.5 miles south on Snow Hill Road. The parking area will be on the right. The Jones East Trailhead can be found on Snow Hill Road about a half mile south of the Snow Hill Equestrian Trailhead.

The Kilbee Tract is a separate tract that straddles the St John's River on the south side of State Road 46, and contains the point where the Econ flows into the St Johns. The trail leads from the Trailhead heading south then forks into two trails. Taking the left fork will bring you to a great vanatage point overlooking the St. Johns River Floodplain. Scan the marshes for waders, ducks, raptors, and many others.
The entrance to the Kilbee Tract is off of SR 46, just west of the SR 46 bridge about 11 miles west of the I-95/SR 46 interchange.

Space Coast Birding Site
Out in the Boonies Site
Out in the Boonies Map
SJRWMD Website
SJRWMD Property Map
Florida Dept of Forestry Trails Map PDF
GPS Barr Street Entrance N 28 40.952 W 81 09.572
Google Satellite Image Barr Street Entrance
GPS Snow Hill Road Entrance N 28 41.175 W 81 06.873
Google Satellite Image Snow Hill Road Entrance
GPS Jones East Trailhead N 28 40.407 W 81 06.845
Google Satellite Image Jones East Trailhead

GPS Kilbee Tract Trailhead N 28 42.924 W 81 02.938
Google Satellite Image Kilbee Tract Trailhead

 

Lake Mills Park
From Titusville take SR 50 to Fort Christmas Road in Christmas, turn right (North) and follow Fort Christmas for 9.2 miles, turn left on Lake Mills Road and in .8 miles, turn left on Tropical Ave. Park will be just ahead on right.
This 50 acre park is located on the shoreline of Lake Mills in Seminole County off of Tropical Avenue just north of Lake Mills Road. There are three areas for birdwatching in the area, a scrub forest, the lakeshore, and a beautiful mixed hardwwod swamp with a little creek winding through the swamp to the lake.
GPS N 28 37.902 W 81 07.537
Google Satellite Image

 
Chuluota Wilderness Area
From Titusville take SR 50 to Fort Christmas Road in Christmas, turn right (North) and follow Fort Christmas for 9.2 miles, turn right on Lake Mills Road for .8 miles bear right on Curryville Road. The Wilderness area will be on your left in 2.5 miles.
The Chuluota Wilderness Area is a 625 acre natural area located in the southeast corner of Seminole County. It contains a variety of natural systems such as mesic hammock, pond pine flatwoods, hardwood swamp and some rare habitats such as sand pine scrub. These in turn provide food and shelter for an equally diverse population of wildlife which includes white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise, sherman's fox squirrel, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
GPS N 28 37.398 W 81 03.742
Google Satellite Image

 

Econ River Wilderness Area
From I-95 and SR 50 near Titusville drive west on SR 50 about 19 miles and bear right on Tanner Road S for 1.6 miles. Turn left on Lake Prickett Road, go 0.8 miles, turn right on Tanner Road N for 2.2 miles, when the road turns into Old Lockwood Road you are about there. Entrance is on the right.
The Econ River Wilderness Area is a 240 acre wooded site located on the Seminole/Orange County line south of the city of Oviedo, on the west side of the Econlockhatchee River. A walk on the approximately 3 miles of trails will take you through habitats such as pine flatwoods, sandhill, and river swamp. Wildlife observed on this site includes the great horned owl, white-tailed deer, and golden mouse. Benches are provided at a bend in the river so you can rest and enjoy the quiet serenity of this little piece of natural Florida.
GPS N 28 36.818 W 81 10.463
Google Satellite Image

 

Orlando Wetlands Park
25155 Wheeler Road, Christmas, Florida, 32709 Park Phone: 407.568.1706
From I-95, take SR 50 west to the town of Christmas. Turn right (north) onto Ft. Christmas Road (CR 420) and go 2.3 miles to Wheeler Road. Turn right on Wheeler and go east for 1.5 miles to the parking area on your left.
The Orlando Wetlands Park is a regional wastewater treatment facility for the Greater Orlando Area. The system was designed to polish up to 35 million gallons a day of reclaimed wastewater. The water is conveyed through a four-foot diameter pipeline approximately 17 miles. Seventeen cells and three different communities were designed to remove excess nutrients from the water. Over 2 million aquatic plants and 200,000 trees were planted to create deep marsh, mixed marsh and hardwood swamp habitats. The water flows into the influent structure and is then divided into three flow pathways. The water first flows into the deep marsh. The deep marsh cells are primarily monocultures of cattails or giant bulrush. From there, the water flows into the mixed marsh.
Here's a website on how it works to treat wastewater.
Wildlife; The open waters of the lake and marshes attract wintering waterfowl, including blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, common moorhens and Amaerican coots. Wood storks, white ibis, black-crowned night herons, and other wading birds are common during the cooler months. Bald eagles, limpkins, and red-shouldered hawks, black vultures, and turkey vultures are year round residents in the Orlando Wetlands Park. Raccoons, river otters, white-tailed deer and bobcats can be seen along the roads and hiking trails. The Orlando Wetlands is home to over 30 species of wildlife that are listed on the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Threatened and Endangered Wildlife list.
NBBD Website
GPS
N 28 34.162 W 80 59.797
Google Satellite Image

 

Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park
9,515 acres, including individual and joint ownership by the District and Orange County.
From Titusville, head west on SR 50, past the town of Christmas. Turn left and go east on SR 520 for about two miles. Turn right (west) into the Wedgefield subdivision on Macon Parkway. Turn left on Bancroft Blvd., right on Meredith Parkway, then left on Dallas Blvd. The parking lot is 1.6 miles south of the Meridith/Dallas intersection, on the right.
This vast expanse of flatwoods and open prairie straddles the Econlockhatchee River in east Orange County. The big attraction for birders here is an active colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers located in the northern third of the property. Best viewing time for the RCWs is at dawn when the birds awaken from their nesting cavities. White stripes around pine tree trunks identify trees with RCW cavities. Other common resident species include eastern bluebird, brown-headed nuthatch, Bachman's sparrow, wood duck, sandhill crane and barred owl. With some luck, visitors may find wild turkey, whip-poor-will, hairy and red-headed woodpecker, hermit thrush, orange-crowned warbler, sedge and marsh wren, king rail and Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawk.
Property Map
Trail Guide
GPS
N 28 29.163 W 81 05.833
Google Satellite Image

 
Chain of Lakes
Snowy Egret Drive, Titusville
Parks Referendum Project
FROM I-95, take SR-46 Exit 223 toward Mims, and go east on W. Main Street (FL-46) 1.5 miles. Turn RIGHT onto US Hwy 1, go 1.5 miles then left on Jay Jay Road. The entrance to Snowy Egret Drive is on the right.
FROM US Hwy 1, turn east onto E. Jay Jay Rd (.3 miles north of Dairy Rd or .5 miles south of Parrish Rd). The entrance to Snowy Egret Drive is on the right.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
Chain of Lakes is a regional stormwater park and athletic facility, containing soccer fields and softball fields. Of interest to birders is a walking trail that completely encircles a large serpentene stormwater retention lake east of the fields. Along much of the eastern shoreline the trail is just off the shore of the lake, allowing a view of waterfowl, wading birds, gulls, terns, and osprey. To the east of the trail at this point is a series of restored salt marshes that are designed to treat stormwater from the lake as it enters the lagoon. There is also an observation tower that allows a panoramic view of the marshes, the park, and the Indian River Lagoon. As the trail extends around the northern tip of the lake it enters a series of restored freshwater swamps, that have been engineered to provide treatment for the stormwater before entering the lake. As the trail travels through these forested wetlands look for many different species of migrant songbirds among the trees.
GPS 28.643067,-80.82736
Google Satellite Image
 
Fox lake Sanctuary
Fox Lake Sanctuary is a 2,800 acre property owned by the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered lands Program and has recently opened to the public via a trailhead located near the boat ramp of Fox Lake Park west of Titusville. Roughly 7 miles of hiking trails provide access throughout the property while a marked Canoe / Kayak trail connects Fox Lake to South Lake to the North. Wildlife found on site includes White Tail Deer, Hogs, Migratory and wading birds, raptors, wild turkey, and on at least two occasions the EELs program was suprised to find motion activated cameras tripped by Florida Black Bear.
The sanctuary contains a variety of habitats such as scrub, pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, depression and freshwater marshes. 
Property Map

GPS N 28 35.309 W 80 52.496
Google Satellite Image
 

North Brevard Walking Trail
is found on the corner of Holder and Dairy roads in Titusville. About 6 acres in size, it is a preserved section of Atlantic Coastal Ridge pine scrub habitat with about a half mile trail looping around the outer parimeter and other trails through it. Located atop an ancient sand dune, this type of unique habitat is rapidly being bought up by developers in Florida and is probably the most endangered habitat in the state. It is dominated by tall slash pine trees and a lower growth of scrub oak and saw palmettos. Nice 1/2 hour or so hike and lots of songbirds during migratory periods.
GPS
N 28 38.261 W 80 51.403
Google Satellite Image

 

Fox Lake Park
4400 Fox Lake Road, Titusville
Fox Lake Park is a 37 acre recreational park with picnic facilities, vollyball courts, a large pavillion with a stage, a boat ramp and fishing dock on Fox lake. (My largest largemouth bass I ever caught came while fishing right off this dock, 7.5 lbs.) It is also the home of the Fox Lake Bluegrass Festival as well as several other festivals throughout the year.
Other than the park, the shoreline around the lake is in it's natural state so many species of wading birds and other wildlife can be viewed from the park. As you enter the park, take the one-way road immediately to the right, which follows the shoreline. The earlier portion of this route goes along a narrow channel leading to the lake itself with marshlands just on the other side, making for relatively easy viewing of the marshlands and their associated wildlife. The road then turns to the right along the shore of the lake towards the boatramp. The lake itself is not that large, therefore scanning the lake shore for wildlife is relativly easy.
Putting in a boat, kayak, or canoe provides access to not only the whole of Fox lake, but to South lake through a canal connection between the two. Wading birds such as egrets and herons can be seen here as well as american coots, gallinulles, osprey, limkin, sandhill cranes, and many other species.
GPS
N 28 35.271 W 80 52.385
Google Satellite Image

 

Dicerandra Sanctuary
This 44-acre Sanctuary is named after an endangered mint plant, Dicerandra thinicola, also known as the Titusville mint. When the shrub blooms in November and December the tiny flowers put on a purple and white show. The sanctuary is 44 acres in size and has about a two mile loop trail through the property. The eastern edge of the property is dominated by a depression marsh. Look for songbirds in the trees along the edge of the marsh while at the same time keeping an eye out over the marsh for egtrets and the occasional sandhill crane. From the primary trailhead off of Mellisa road following the trail to the right takes you along this marsh. Soon you will come to an intersection to a trail that takes you up to the top of the scrub ridge. Near the top keep an eye out for Florida's only endemnic bird species, the Florida scrub jay. Rufous towhees, blue jays, various species of woodpeckers, raptors and other species are commonly seen here.

Melissa Drive, Titusville
From I-95 take SR-50 Exit 215 east 3 miles. Turn right on Key Largo Drive, go 0.4 miles and turn right on Karen Drive. Go less than 0.1 mile, turn right and go to the end of Melissa Drive. Enter on foot.
From US-1 Take SR 50 .7 miles to the west and turn left on Key Largo, go 0.4 miles and turn right on Karen Drive. Go less than 0.1 mile, turn right and go to the end of Melissa Drive. Enter on foot.
GPS N 28 33.099 W 80 48.650
Google Satellite Image

Wuesthoff Park
at 2000 Wuesthoff Street is Just off Barna Ave, just south of Cheney Highway in Titusville, Wuesthoff Park is a 25 acre park that offers good hiking and birdwatching through a variety of habitats including a boardwalk over a small wetlands, and trails that loop through hardwood hammock and and upland pine habitats. This is a nice park for family gatherings. Beautiful deeply wooded hike, picnic area, and a nice mowed open field and play area.
GPS
N 28 33.342 W 80 49.541
Google Satellite Image
 
Titusville Wellfields Trail
The Titusville Wellfields Trail is a multiuse trail of about 2 miles in length that winds through the City of Titusville's South Area Wellfields, which are situated within 300 acres of mature scrubby forest. The trail is open to bicycle, wheelchair and pedestrian use. The South Area Wellfields are adjacient to the Dicerandra Sanctuary and are home to the largest single population of Dicerandra Thinicola or Titusville Mint, a plant species that grows in very limited areas of Northern Brevard County and nowhere else in the world. The Area around the wellfields trail is aloso home the gopher tortise, indigo snakes, bobcat, raptors, songbirds, turkey, grey fox, and many other speices. To access the wellfields trail, park at Wuesthoff Park across Barna Avenue, and pick up the trail there. It then crosses Barna and enters the wellfields next to the City Fire Department.
GPS
N 28 33.334 W 80 49.345
Google Satellite Image
 

Blue Heron Wetlands
is a constucted wetlands designed to be a biological filtering system that reduces nutrient levels of treated water before reaching the St. Johns River. The man-made wetlands cover 300 acres and can process over 6.75 million gallons of water a day. Completed in early 1998 and opened to the public for Bird Watching and Wildlife Viewing, the wetlands are just as wild as they would have been 100 years ago, and attract numerous species of birds and other wildlife.
The wetlands park is located on the south side of State Road 50 just west of the I-95 interchange. A remote operated gate is often drawn across the entrance to the plant but a button is mounted on the left side of the access road. Pushing this button will alert a city employee who will open the gate for you. After signing in at the office, proceed to the back of the plant section to the entrance of the raised berm road which surrounds the wetlands. The wetland area is open to the public, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. If you wish to visit the wetland area on the weekend, you must call the Blue Heron Water Reclamation Facility to make an appointment, (321) 383-5642.
Follow the raised berm road to the right to begin the tour. Some of the more noteable species found here are sandhill cranes, which nest here, heron species such as great blue, little blue, green, and night herons, snowy and greater egrets, ducks, coots, rails, comorants, anhingas, and many other aquatic bird species as well as otters, alligators, and turtles. Whitetail deer have also been spotted here.
GPS
N 28 32.973 W 80 51.614
Google Satellite Image

 

Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area
This area can be accessed from a parking area on the south side of SR 50 approximately three miles west of I-95. Canaveral Marshes Conservation Area is a 6,741-acre property owned and managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. The trail from here heads due east for about a mile then turns due south for about another mile until it meets the Addison Ellis Canal, then follows along the canal east until it comes to the border of the Great Outdoors Golf and RV Resort. along this route this elevated dike trail trail offers expansive views of the marshes, which provide habitat for a diverse population of wildlife, including numerous migratory and resident wading birds and waterfowl, alligators, and many endangered species. Once you get to the point where the canal enters the resort, the trail turns south and forms two loop trails which take you through wooded hammock habitat providing habitat for various songbird species, deer, turkey, and other wildlife, while looping around an extensive indian midden.
There is no camping or hunting allowed here.
Property Map
Out in the Boonies Site
Space Coast Birding Site
GPS N 28 32.708 W 80 53.790
Google Satellite Image

 
Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area; (Orange County)
3365 Taylor Creek Road
Christmas, FL 32709-9130
(407) 568-5893
can be found west of Titusville on SR 50 over the St John's River and into the town of Christmas. Look for Look for Taylor Creek Road on the south side of SR 50. Then head south for about 3 miles and you'll see the entrance on the left on Beehead Road. There is a nominal day use fee per vehicle. A box to deposit the fee is at the entrance kiosk Overnight primitive camping is available. There are two classes of trails here.
Multi use trails can be hiked, biked, and ridden on horseback and are marked with orange or rust colored blazes while the foot only trails are blazed in white. Horses are not allowed on vehicle roads except at designated horse crossing points. Bicycles are allowed on all park roads, service roads and firelines. This 28,000 acre area runs along the St John's River and features about 30 miles of trails, primative camping, virgin pine flatwoods, and a 900-acre virgin cypress swamp which running along Jim Creek is thought to be the largest remaining stand of cypress left uncut in the state. This is a beautiful area which can be accessed from the last parking area west on Power Line Road before it crosses Jim Creek. The trail head is a log bridge over a creek just accross the road from the parking area. In the pinewoods near Beehead Ranch at the end of Beehead Road, some of the tall slash pines are thought to be 250 years old.
Bird and wildlife watchers will love the opportunity to see some of the large raptors such as osprey, bald eagles, and swallow-tailed kites that can be found here. Wild turkey, white tailed deer, bobcat, racoon, armadillo and on rare occasions, Florida panther are rumored to have been spotted here. Other points of interest include the 30 indian mounds in close proximity to the trails.
The Park Roads provide parking areas and trail access throughout the park. Refer to the map for specifics.
Florida State Parks Website
The Florida National Scenic Trail Map 23, Tosohatchee, covers this region and can be purchased via the Florida Trail Association; visit their Web site for an order form.
Florida Trail Association Website
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Map
Out in the Boonies Site
GPS N 28 29.912 W 80 59.903
Google Satellite Image
 
Enchanted Forest Sanctuary
is a truely unique sanctuary where Walking & Learning trails wander through timeless Scrub, Mesic, and Hydric ecosystems with their wide variety of endangered and threatened species. The relationship between soil types and plant communities is easily seen here. Guided hikes are available or you can strike out on your own with a map provided by volunteers at the visitor's center and gift shop, who are always eager to answer any questions. A study conducted in 1994 documented usage of the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary by 52 bird species including wild turkey, bald eagle, red-shouldered hawk, barred owl, cooper's hawk, northern bobwhite, eastern screech owl, and numerous songbird species. Bobcats and white tailed deer also are known to be here. In addition, this sanctuary provides refuge for two of Florida's endangered reptiles, the eastern indigo snake and the gopher tortise. With the Titusville area being located within an isotherm, a transitional zone separating a temperate and a subtropical climatic zone, the variety of plant life to be found here is truely astounding.
The entrance to the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary can be found on the North side of State Road 405 in Titusville just west of the intersection of 405 and US-1
Friends of the Enchanted Forest Website
GPS
N 28 31.731 W 80 48.138
Google Satellite Image

Fay Lake Wilderness Area
6300 Fay Boulevard, Port St John
At the west end of Fay Bvld in Port St John, this 192.7 acre park has a 27 acre lake on the property, walking trails, shaded pavillions, and offers the chance to see wading birds, migratory songbirds, deer, and many other species.
GPS N 28 27.694 W 80 50.054
Google Satellite Image

North Merritt Island
 
Mitchell Ellington Park
575 W Hall Rd Merritt Island FL 32953
FROM US Hwy 1, take SR-528 east 2.7 miles, turn left onto Courtenay Parkway (SR-3) and go 1.8 miles. Turn left on Hall Road. The park site is on the left.
Mitchell Ellington Park is a 114 acre park that features athletic fields and a playground. However there are wetlands on the nort section, wetlands and woods on the east and west as well as two ponds in the center of the park that provide chances to see song birds, deer, waterfowl, alligators, raccoons, squirrels and many other species. These areas are connected by an ADA Accessible Pedway allowing a chance for the mobility challenged to enjoy some of the area wildlife.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Pedway, Restrooms, Pavilions, Playground.
GPS
N 28 25.922 W 80 42.761
Google Satellite Image
 
Kings Park
995 Chase Hammock Road, Merritt Island
FROM US Hwy 1, take SR-528 east 2.7 miles, turn left onto Courtenay Parkway (SR-3) and go 3.1 miles.Turn right and go 0.9 miles on Chase Hammock.
Open after 7:00 a.m. until dark.
This is a 240 acre park with a manmade freshwater lake and a myriad of creeks and smaller brackish ponds that make for a very interesting birding and wildlife area, especialliy with the addition of the multiuse trail on the property, which runs along one of the creeks. There are also several rustic hiking trails through the park for some off the beaten path hiking. Look for wading birds and other waterfowl along the creeks and backwaters, and migratory songbirds and raptors in the wooded sections.
Editors Note; The County website lists this area as a freshwater habitat due to the deep manmade lake on the property. However, long before the park was built I frequently fished the creeks and smaller backwater coves in the area and caught a mixture of fresh and saltwater fish such as small snook, tarpon, seatrout and jack crevalle, along with freshwater bass, bluegills, and other species. For this reason I am listing this as both a Freshwater and Saltwater Estuary property on the wildlife watching pages.
GPS N 28 26.840 W 80 41.690
Google Satellite Image