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SCAS Global Big Day at Merritt Island NWR (Titusville)
May 4, 2019 @ 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
*** Please review all the logistics for this trip, as it’s a multi-location trip***
Please join us in support of Cornell Laboratory’s Global Big Day. We’ll meet at Parrish Park in Titusville (on the north end / across the Max Brewer Bridge). Participants do not have to be experienced birders. We will try to match up experienced birders with those who are new to birding to maximize your opportunity to see the most birds. From the meeting place we’ll coordinate carpools and each car will have a walkie talkie radio so each car will hear the sighting and can contribute as we drive along. This is a mixture of birding while driving (Gator Creek) and walking. Most of the trails are easy but can get muddy after a rain and there may be railroad tracks to cross that can be a challenge for those with limited mobility. Restrooms are available at the meeting point, Visitors Center and the picnic pavillion.
Itinerary
0700 – 0745 Meet at Parrish Park at Titusville – Registration, carpool assignments – look for water birds
0745 – 0915 Drive to West Gator Creek Road and exit East Gator Creek Road for shore birds
0915 – 0945 Travel to MINWR Visitor Center for restrooms & feeder birds
0945 – 1130 Travel to Oak and Palm Hammock Trails for warblers
1130 – 1230 Travel to Sendler Education Post for lunch (Sendler Education Outpost is located at Dummitt Cove on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge of the Kennedy Space Center off of SR-406 and SR-3)
1230 – 1300 Travel to Manatee Observation Deck for water birds and warblers
1300 – 1400 Travel to Pine Flatwoods Trail for Scrub-jays and water birds
Attendees are welcome to join the group at any of the planned stops. Please indicated in your RSVP if you plan to join after the starting point and call / text Bert Alm to check on the group status as times at each stop are estimated.
What to Bring: Binoculars, hat, closed toe shoes, lunch and a water bottle. Rain jacket if the weather forecast warrants it.
What’s Provided: One walkie-talkie radio per car to help us point out birds while driving.
Contact: Bert Alm at fieldtrips@spacecoastaudubon.org or 310-738-2894 if you have any questions. Let us know if you are a new(er) birder and would like to use a pair of loaner binoculars.
