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Birding Brevard: Air Force Works Hard to Manage Wildlife Habitat

By Dave Freeland

Some of the finest wildlife habitat in the country is often associated with other important uses, such as military bases of the various armed services, including the U.S. Air Force. I had the pleasure of witnessing first-hand how well the government is managing this critical habitat earlier this year when I was retained to complete a two-year bird survey of the 45th Space Wing properties in Brevard and Martin Counties. I'm pleased to report that these special lands are serving well both the designated military needs of the country and the wildlife that coincidentally inhabit them. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in particular is a historically significant and spectacular chunk of nearly 17,000 acres crowning the coastline between Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.

The Cape itself juts into the Atlantic Ocean midway between the base's southern portal and the boundary with KSC. It is mostly pristine oceanfront property where developers must surely dream of opportunities to erect walls of condos and hotels that would rival Miami Beach and other, similar glittering monuments to some people's belief that the creations of man beautify more than the creations of God. Birders and other wildlife lovers would strongly disagree. The beauty and natural bounty of a place like Cape Canaveral deserve the attention the Air Force is providing.

The scrub is alive with the calls of Florida Scrub-Jays, Carolina Wrens, Eastern Towhees, White-eyed Vireos, Northern Cardinals, Chuck-will's-widows and other species that find this habitat to their liking. The Air Force and its environmental contractor, SpecPro, are eliminating invasive plants, managing burns to benefit the scrub's natural citizens and securing the miles of pristine beach for the use of nesting sea turtles. It is a job worth every ounce of energy expended.

Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, access to places like Cape Canaveral AFS is rigorously monitored. One can see the grand old Cape Canaveral Lighthouse -- relocated by the government brick by brick from its original position to a new one on safer ground -- best from the ocean these days, but rest assured it is there and doing very well.

Florida Scrub-Jays abound in habitat surrounded by launch pads used today for sending Titan and Atlas rockets into space and once were the steppingstones for astronauts like John Glenn, Wally Schirra and Alan Shepard to witness Earth from afar. Eastern Towhees chirp from every corner. Northern Cardinals vie with Northern Mockingbirds for the right to sing first on a bright spring morning.

Hundreds of shorebirds, gulls and terns spread their wings over the miles of surf and beach. Northern Gannets plummet to the surface of the ocean just offshore. Whales and dolphins swim by, joined by the fishing boats from Port Canaveral and an occasional glimpse of a cruise ship bound for Bahamian or Caribbean destinations.

I observed nearly 150 species of birds during my two months of survey work, but enjoyed the spectacle of proper wildlife management even more. Brevardians can be proud of the way our government is managing our land. It's a heritage worth every penny of the cost of preservation.

Where to Go: Fall is the season for migration and, if you can't visit Cape Canaveral, at least you can watch for passerine movements at spots like Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. These are two of the places you're likely to spot even intrepid birders. I'll be one who's there often.

Bird of the Month: This spring we were blessed with at least one, and perhaps a pair, of Yellow-breasted Chats in West Cocoa at the end of Providence Road. This big, showy warbler is a crowd favorite among birders and hard to find in Brevard County.