b

Merritt Island NWR - Biolab Road

Florida  >  United States

This one-way birdwatching road in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge runs adjacent to the west shore of Mosquito Lagoon. Great for bird photographing.

Aggiunto* da Santiago Rodriguez
Ultimo aggiornamento 24 ottobre 2023

Descrizione

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds.  Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, managed impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks. Merritt Island NWR is great for birding and Biolab Road is one of the best places. BioLab Road runs along the west shore of Mosquito Lagoon, with the lagoon on one side and the marsh on the other. Birds are everywhere on both sides of this road along the creeks and ponds. Biolab Road is one-way, going north to south, and mostly driven, although it can be walked or biked as well. Note that a Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Pass is required to enter Biolab Road (see more info below).

Biolab Road is especially good for observing herons, waders and ducks. Birds you can observe and sometimes photograph very well include Stilt Sandpiper, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Caspian Tern, Grey Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Loggerhead Shrike, Florida Scrub-Jay, Wood Stork and White Ibis. The peak birding season begins in October and lasts through March. However, visiting during other months can still be very good. Best time of the day for Biolab Road is driving the road in the later afternoon hours because you have the sun behind you. Biolab Road is usually drivable by any vehicle but due to its proximity to the river, it tends to experience significant storm damage at times. It’s a good idea to always check the road conditions at the Visitor Center before entering the drive.

Dettagli

Accesso

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. Biolab Road runs primarily north and south. The main entrance is the northern entrance off Courtenay Parkway which happens to be the beginning of the one way 6 mile dirt road drive. Click on the P in the map for directions or coordinates to the entrance. A Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Pass is required to enter Biolab Road. A daily pass is $ 10 per vehicle (2023). Daily passes may be purchased from the Visitor Information Center, self-pay stations, or you can buy your pass online (see the link below).

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 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.

Terreno e habitat

Mare

Caratteristiche dell’area

Terreno piano

Percorso ad anello

No

È utile un cannocchiale?

Può essere utile

Buona stagione per il BW

Tutto l'anno

Miglior periodo per visitare

Inverno , Migrazione primaverile , Migrazione autunnale

Percorso

Strada asfaltata

Grado di difficoltà del percorso a piedi

Facile

Modalità di accesso

Macchina

Capanno/torretta di osservazione

No

Informazioni aggiuntive

Photo Biolab Road by Rusty Clark, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Link

Visualizza siti in questa area pubblicati su Birdingplaces

Mappa

Le 5 migliori specie

Altre specie che si possono osservare qui

Mostra più uccelli Mostra meno uccelli
Mostra più foto Mostra meno foto

Commenti

Rilascia feedback
Valuta questa area