Where Is Avocet Lagoon?

Jim Meyer, Co-VicePresident

Avocet Lagoon is on the Port Canaveral map, but very few people know of it or see it even when passing within 50 feet of it. One day last week, I saw 20 White Pelicans, 12 Roseate Spoonbills, 5 species of ducks, and 65 Avocets from which the Lagoon gets its name. Three years ago, I had discovered it while walking Sammy, our Collie, there just in front of the Locks entrance just to the East of the road adjacent to a sawed-off palm trunk. Today, there is a short trail that leads to the waters edge.

Just before this Christmas, I received great news from the Chief Lockmaster at the Canaveral Locks that a viewing platform had been approved by the Director of Operations at the Clewiston Office which is responsible for the central and south Florida Corps of Engineers Projects. There would be no funding available but I still couldn't believe my ears!

This announcement was in response to a letter Jason Frederick and myself sent to the "Corps of Engineers" at Clewiston and the Canaveral Port Authority early last June. Our proposal was for two viewing platforms for Avocet Lagoon, one on "Port Authority" property and the other on "Corps of Engineers" property, a bike/pedestrian trail connecting the existing King Blvd bike/pedestrian trail to the entrance to the Canaveral Locks, and several viewing blinds penetrating the mangroves around Avocet Lagoon.

On January 4, 2006, I received a call from the Clewiston Biologist who has been assigned to the project. After talking with him for 20 minutes, I am very confident the Viewing Platform can be realized! My target is to have it in place by Christmas of 2006. There will be many "wickets" to pass thru but it will be such a great contribution to birders and wildlife enthusiats for viewing the wonderful wildlife in Avocet Lagoon! More to come.