Description:
Located in the upper basin of the St. Johns River, these wetlands feature ten impoundments, managed intensively for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds, and a semi-permanent flooded marsh managed as a reservoir. Walking, bicycling, horseback riding and boating are all permitted. Managed hunts occur seasonally. Watchable Wildlife:
Walk the dikes between impoundments for good views of dabbling duck species in the winter including shoveler, wigeon, teal, pintail and gadwall. Mottled ducks are found year-round. The summer is the best time to spot swallow-tailed kites and roseate spoonbills. Northern harriers fly regularly over the marshes in winter and, during hawk migration in October, join red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcons, merlins and kestrels. White-tailed deer are common on the dikes and in the marshes. Otters, bobcats, wild hogs and raccoons occur regularly here. Look for wading birds such as wood storks, limpkins, white and glossy ibis, herons and egrets; and black-necked stilts, greater and lesser yellowlegs, dowitchers and other shorebirds. Ownership:
Site is leased to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Contact:
(321) 726-2862. Directions:
From the intersection of 1-95 and C.R. 512 north of Vero Beach, head west for three miles to C.R. 507 (Babcock St.). Turn right (north) and after five miles, turn left (west) onto Fellsmere Grade Road, just south of the C-54 canal. Follow signs to the site entrance from the Stick Marsh boat ramp. Related Sites:
Other East Central Florida Wildlife Sites
Florida State Parks
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