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Description
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is famous among birders. The refuge was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds. Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats of dunes, marshes and forest. The Scrub Ridge Trail is a trail of 1 mile through Florida scrub habitat. The western half of the trail passes through scrub, while the eastern half runs along a marsh where you are likely to see water-bound bird species. The Scrub Ridge Trail is well known among birders as one of the best places to see the rare Florida Scrub-Jay. Along the Scrub Trail they are notoriously tame.
Details
Access
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located on Florida’s Central East Coast about 30 minutes south of Daytona Beach at exit 220 on I 95 at State Road 406. The Visitor Center of Merritt Island NWR is open year round, 8 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Refuge roads, trails and boat ramps are open from sunrise to sunset daily. To reach the Visitor Information Center, continue 4 miles past the Refuge entrance (remain to your right at the fork in the road) and the Visitor Center entrance sign will be on your right.
The trailhead parking of the Scrub Ridge Trail can be reached off of State Route 3. Click on the P in the map for directions or coordinates. The Scrub Ridge Trail is flat and easy to hike. It is, however, completely exposed to the sun, so come prepared for that. If you want to photograph birds, hike the trail later in the day, for you will be facing east when viewing the water, and the sun will be in your face in the morning.
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushesConditions
FlatCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Autumn migration , Spring migrationRoute
Narrow trail , Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Photo Florida Scrub-Jay by Ben Smegelsky, via Wikimedia Commons