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Description
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.
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. 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.
Terrain and Habitat
SeaConditions
FlatCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Photo Biolab Road by Rusty Clark, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons