FIELD TRIP: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Date: Monday, 12 January 2026

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (PINWR)

Leader Name: Will Johnson

Trip Description: Mid-winter is peak waterfowl season in Florida, and Pelican Island NWR (PINWR) hosts some of the best coastal waterfowl habitat anywhere on the Treasure Coast. Among the most productive areas in PINWR for waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds is “Jungle Bird Pond,” a shallow freshwater depression located in the center of the refuge here (27.80520N, 80.42848W). Guide Will Johnson will take us on a walk from the Centennial parking area to Jungle Bird Pond just before sunrise to hopefully witness birds flying into the pond from their nighttime roosts in the adjacent brackish impoundments. The walks in and out (20-25 min/0.35 miles each way) should produce wintering songbirds in the early successional habitat, and our stationary observation at Jungle Bird Pond (40-50 min) will hopefully yield a dozen or more species of waterbirds.

Trip Duration: 1.5 hours

Walking distance: 0.5-1 miles

Degree of difficulty, and any special instructions: Easy walking. Consider applying insect repellant and wearing long-sleeved clothing, as biting insects can be a nuisance on warmer mornings. Much of our time will be spent doing a “sit” at Jungle Bird Pond, so if stationary standing will be a challenge, please bring a stool or chair. I will be bringing at least one chair for somebody to use.

Meeting Location: Centennial Trail parking lot (11455 Jungle Trail, Vero Beach, FL 32963); Note: turn off A1A at Jungle Trail, not Wildlife Way.

Meeting Time: 6:50 am

Participants Limit (Individuals): 10