Indian River

This lush preserve, with extensive hardwoods, plus coastal strand and wetlands, boasts one of the largest remaining maritime hammocks on Orchid Island. Follow the primitive foot trails, starting with the Forster’s Hammock Trail, which heads east towards two small, seasonal ponds. A number of short trail loops branch off to the north and south of the main Hammock Trail (the Warbler’s Walk is particularly good). Trails may be wet and mucky at times; wear appropriate footgear. Guided “moonlight strolls” are offered monthly during the fall and winter for Barred Owls and other nocturnal wildlife, call for details.

Located on Wabasso Island in the Indian River Lagoon, this nature center provides educational adventures with all the lagoon’s wildlife, including birds and butterflies. Come learn about them and see them in action too! The Center itself is free, so peruse the displays and bird the boardwalk through the mangroves. Don’t miss the native plant trail and butterfly garden. Programs and hands-on field trips, from kayaking by moonlight to Family Birding 101, are available, call ahead for schedules and details. Boat tours to nearby Pelican Island NWR are offered as well.

The Herb Kale Trail runs through hardwood hammock and scrubby pine flatwoods good for songbird migrants, and continues on to mangrove swamps and impounded estuarine wetlands. In the impoundments, you can easily spot wading birds, shorebirds and ducks from the trail, observation platform and elevated tower. Additionally, canoes can be rented from the adjacent University of Florida Medical Entomology Lab. Launch from the boat ramp at the end of Oslo Rd./9th St. SE. Paddle your canoe beyond the mangrove forest to see shorebirds and wading birds feeding, loafing and nesting on spoil islands and bars in the Indian River Lagoon. Free birding tours run on Saturday mornings; call ahead for details, or to make arrangements for a personalized tour for your birding group.

Great for hiking and biking, this natural area offers spectacular views of the Indian River Lagoon and is home to a wide variety of wading birds such as Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Tricolored Herons, Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks. Seasonal migrants abound in the mangrove fringes and lagoon edges.

To access this site, park your vehicle in West Wabasso Park and look for the trailhead and entrance kiosk in the southeast corner of the park. A 1-mile hiking trail leads eastward, then southward through well-managed sand pine scrub, oak scrub, a small stand of flatwoods, and along seasonal freshwater wetlands. Four families of scrub-jays can be found on the area’s eastern and southern portions. Bring plenty of water and sun protection (shade is scarce here); early morning and late afternoon are best.

This bird- and birder-friendly site employs a unique technique to further clean its treated wastewater. Birders will appreciate the boardwalk, covered pavilion and observation tower on the south side of the wetlands, as well as the diked impoundment trails, which allow easy viewing. Sign in at the entrance before birding. Fall through spring will produce the biggest variety of birds but summer birding is productive here; arrive early, as little shade is available. Bring water and sun protection.