Merritt Island NWR
Field Trip
The
Atlanta Audubon Society
will again sponsor a two day/ three night trip to Merritt Island
National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida on January 14, 15,and
16, 2011. Located east of Titusville, Merritt Island has the distinction
of being the home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the wildlife refuge,
and the Canaveral National Seashore.
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is the second largest refuge in Florida. It, and its surrounding waters, offer a sanctuary for an abundance of plants and animals from both temperate and tropical climate zones. Along its western edge is the Indian River Lagoon, North America's longest and most biologically diverse estuary.
The refuge consists of 140,000 acres of salt marsh, freshwater impoundments, brackish estuaries, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, and scrub. Due to the diverse habitats, Merritt Island remains unsurpassed as a refuge for endangered wildlife. It supports more threatened and endangered animals ( 21 species ) than any other single refuge in the continental U.S., including the Florida manatee, bald eagle, wood stork, gopher tortoise, and eastern indigo snake. Combined with the Canaveral National Seashore, the refuge supports the world's largest population of Florida scrub jays.
Offering varied birding opportunities, the refuge has recorded more than 310 species of birds. The field trips around the refuge will concentrate on wintering waterfowl and wading birds. There will be opportunities to view other species such as rails, scrub jays, and other wildlife.
The trip leaders will be Theresa Hartz and Lisa Hurt. The cost of the trip (NOT including food or lodging) will be:
$200 for Friends of
Atlanta Audubon members
$250 for non-members.
This trip is limited to 12 people.
There will be a pre-trip orientation meeting and short workshop on Sunday, Dec.5, 2010 at the Blue Heron Preserve from 3-5 PM.
For a reservation contact the AAS office: 678-973-2437.
Your payment confirms your reservation.
For more information contact Lisa Hurt by phone or email: artlisahurt@bellsouth.net; 770-934-7660.
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