Due to security measures for Monday's Space Shuttle launch, the SR 406 gate to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge will close to the general public at 9:00am Friday, Nov 15. So anybody who wants to go on the Wildlife Drive needs to do it before 9:00am Friday. The refuge may still be accessed from the north end on SR 3, south of Oak Hill. SR 3 is closed 1/2 mile south of Haulover Canal, which will remain open to the public.
The sceduled birding festival workshops and field trips will be allowed to take place with a badged escort from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The following trips will be allowed access to the Refuge:
Friday, Nov 15
1) Field Photoshoot with Joanne Williams
2) Digiscoping with Mike McDowell
Saturday, Nov 16
1) Beginning Birding with Carroll Holland
Birding Competition teams will be allowed to use the Black Point Wildlife Drive on Saturday morning, Nov 16 ONLY. A badged staff member from US Fish and Wildlife will meet birding teams at the refuge kiosk at the east end of the Titusville causeway at 8:00am, 10:00am and 12:00pm to escort them through the Wildlife Drive. Groups MUST remain together with the badged escort. If you charge out ahead on your own, you will jeopardize future opportunities for us to work with NASA.
The escorted trips will leave promptly on the hour. Please be there a few minutes early. Only cars with birding team passes will be allowed on these escorted trips.
There will be NO acces to the Kennedy Space Center. The Scrub Jay trips on Friday, Nov 15 and Saturday, Nov 16 will visit the Space Coast Regional Airport for Scrub Jays and the plant walk will take place at the Dicerandra Scub Sanctuary. This is a wonderful time of the year to visit Dicerandra Scrub, as the extremely rare Dicerandra mint will be in full bloom.
Subject: Wekiva River Birding Trip Cancelled
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002
I would like to first thank you all for your interest in joining Natural
Adventures, Inc. on the Wekiva River field trip. I must; however,
reschedule this trip due to the possiblility of severe weather. I do hope
that you will understand the decision that I have made. This is a long trip
through a wilderness area and if we do get hit by a severe thunderstorm,
there is no way for us to get out quickly. Safety is first at all times.
There are a few options for you:
1) join the Haulover Canal kayak trip in Titusville. Call the registration
desk at 321-632-1111 ext 42056 to inquire about openings. The Haulover trip
is a great trip with the chance for good wildlife viewing. It is also at an
area where if a storm approaches, the guide can see it and can cut the trip
short without much advance warning.
2) rejoin us on your choice of the following days:
November 23rd, next Saturday
December 4th (Wednesday)
December 7th (Saturday)
I just ask that you let us know 2 days before the scheduled date so that we
can get the right amount of food, have the right amount of gear and check
weather patterns. Should you choose to join us, you may call 1-866-852-9252
to reserve or email. If you email, please include your phone number so that
I may reach you if I need to.
Thanks, Leslie Sickler, Natural Adventures, Inc., naturaladventures@earthlink.net
