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Pelican Island Refugefall & winter wildlife

Wildlife refuge

At Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, migratory white pelicans and nesting brown pelicans: fall through spring is considered the best time to see them, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. No official report yet this season.

Updated

Sources for this timing ↓
Local timing
Fall through spring
General timing for this place: not a peak date, and not a forecast.

About Pelican Island Refuge

What it is
A wildlife refuge in Florida
A little history
On March 14, 1903, Theodore Roosevelt made it the first federal bird reservation, the start of the National Wildlife Refuge System.On the Historic Jungle Trail off A1A in Indian River County, 3.7 miles north of Wabasso Beach Road; the Centennial Trail is at 11455 Jungle Trail, Vero Beach.
What you'll see
Migratory white pelicans · usual peak fall through spring
Before you go
When is it open, and what should I bring? Daily from 7:30am until sunset. Bring drinking water (there's none on the refuge), sun protection and binoculars.
Sources (2)

Your guide to the area

Best spots and nearby places
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census; spot positions agency pages. Outside the map: Merritt Island Refuge.

Where to watch

  • Centennial Trail observation tower

    Best spot

    A walking trail past Centennial Pond to an accessible tower and boardwalk looking out on Pelican Island in the Indian River Lagoon

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

  • Joe Michael's Wildlife Viewing Deck

    Best spot

    A viewing deck named for the citrus grower whose nine-year campaign helped protect the wetlands around Pelican Island

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Worth the drive

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

The year at Pelican Island Refuge

  • Birds resting and refueling on migration along the lagoonspring and fall migration
  • Belted kingfishers, grackles and blue-gray gnatcatchers arriveNowfall
  • White pelicans and nesting brown pelicans: the best timeNowfall through spring

Questions people ask

When is the best time to see wildlife at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge?

Migratory white pelicans and nesting brown pelicans: fall through spring is considered the best time to see them, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: fall through spring. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.

Is it wildlife season at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge right now?

There's no official report yet this season.

When are the white pelicans at Pelican Island?

They migrate south to winter here; fall through spring is the best time to see them, along with nesting brown pelicans.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Why is Pelican Island famous?

On March 14, 1903, Theodore Roosevelt made it the first federal bird reservation, the start of the National Wildlife Refuge System.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is it open, and what should I bring?

Daily from 7:30am until sunset. Bring drinking water (there's none on the refuge), sun protection and binoculars.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the trails?

On the Historic Jungle Trail off A1A in Indian River County, 3.7 miles north of Wabasso Beach Road; the Centennial Trail is at 11455 Jungle Trail, Vero Beach.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge?

Centennial Trail observation tower: a walking trail past Centennial Pond to an accessible tower and boardwalk looking out on Pelican Island in the Indian River Lagoon; Joe Michael's Wildlife Viewing Deck: a viewing deck named for the citrus grower whose nine-year campaign helped protect the wetlands around Pelican Island.

What is Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?

White pelicans and nesting brown pelicans: the best time (Sep–May), Belted kingfishers, grackles and blue-gray gnatcatchers arrive (Sep–Nov) and Birds resting and refueling on migration along the lagoon (Mar–May).

How we know · Sources (6)

How we know

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pelican Island Observation Tower (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Joe Michael's Wildlife Viewing Deck (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2)

All our sources and how we use them →