SCBWF Weekend (Trip D) – Sebastian Inlet and Pelican Island NWR

**Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival Weekend**
A group of local trip leaders, tour guides, and industry vendors are planning the return of the SCBWF in 2024. As a ‘warm up’ to the festival’s return the foundational group is conducting a birding weekend to showcase the immense diversity of bird species found in our area. The weekend will include trips from 19-23 January. Space Coast Audubon is providing support through promotion, hosting, and field trip leader involvement.

**TRIP D : Sebastian Inlet SP and Pelican Island NWR (Two Part Trip)**
Trip Leader: David Simpson, Birding with David Simpson

**Part One: Meet at 0700**
Meet at Sebastian Inlet State Park on the north side (Brevard County side) under the bridge. The group will bird for a while around the Sebastian Inlet State Park, then travel by car to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

**Fee Location:** Entrance to Sebastian Inlet State Park requires a fee. State Park entrance fee must be paid upon entry or in advance online. Florida State Park annual pass enter for free. For rates please visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/fees

**Part Two: Arrival time depends on how long we spend at the Inlet**
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located at: 4055 Wildlife Way Vero Beach, FL 32963-9446 (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/pelican-island).

Pelican Island NWR will include a private tram ride. Upon arrival at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge we will divide into two groups, as there is currently only 1 tram operating. Trip numbers are limited based on number of seats on the tram. If the venue is able to add a second tram, we’ll open additional slots.

Group A will bird around the butterfly garden and other known hot spots. Group B will be taken by tram to the Overlook. Then, the tram will return to pick up the first group.

Target birds: Inlet: Lots of coastal species, shorebirds, gulls, skimmers, Reddish Egrets often seen. Pelican Island NWR has a good variety of ducks, songbirds, and wading birds most winters.

What to Bring: Water, snack, bug repellent, sunscreen, binoculars (and your current Florida State Park pass, if you have one).
Limited mobility guests are encouraged to bring a chair to sit in while waiting for the tram.

For specific questions about the field trip (outside of registration process), please contact David Simpson ([email protected]). For Meetup questions, email our team at: [email protected].