Brevard County Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands - Viera Wetlands

05/20/2026

📷 My long camera lens helped me spot some activity on Bird Island: An alligator resting on the bank, some Cattle Egrets, and a Great Blue Heron watching over their young. 🦢

🧠 Did you know? Juvenile Great Blue Herons are fed by their parents for several weeks after hatching and even after they begin leaving the nest. Both parents regurgitate food for their young, and the juveniles continue depending on them until they learn to hunt successfully on their own.

🐊 Take a trip to the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands! Open from 7 AM - 7 PM ☀️

05/15/2026

🔭 Birders won't have a difficult time telling male and female Belted Kingfishers apart. Just look for the reddish-brown feathers on their chest! 🤎

🧠 Start your weekend with , giving you weekly fun facts about the beautiful wildlife you can find at the Viera Wetlands!

05/13/2026

🍃❤️ Check out this Red-winged Blackbird foraging in some vegetation by the water. These birds often search wetlands and marshes for insects, seeds, and other small food sources hidden among the plants.

✨ The Viera Wetlands is open from 7 AM - 7 PM 🕖

05/06/2026

🐊 Even the apex predators need a break. Resting in the grass helps American Alligators stay cool and avoid overheating in Florida’s warm climate.

🎥 These gators were filmed with a long lens at a safe distance.

🌅 Get a chance to see an alligator at the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, open from 7 AM - 7 PM 🌿

04/24/2026

🌟 I figured we'd close off the week with this superstar! ❤️

If you see a Killdeer performing this display, it is best to leave the area to reduce stress on the bird and allow them to return to the nest to care for their eggs or nearby chicks.

🧠 Start your weekend with , giving you weekly fun facts about the beautiful wildlife you can find at the Viera Wetlands!

04/23/2026

📸 Here are some shots we took of the Killdeer from this week's Wildlife Wednesday. The Killdeer watches us closely from the edge of the pathway, standing guard over their eggs. Since these birds prefer to nest on gravel and stone rather than in trees, it's important to watch the ground to make sure we give them their personal space. 🐦🥚

🌿 Come visit the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands! Open from 7 AM - 7 PM 🕖

04/22/2026

🐦 Watch where you step! We spotted a Killdeer protecting their eggs at the edge of the path, as well as a Northern Red-bellied Cooter turtle crossing over. 🐢

💭 Have you ever wondered why Killdeer protect their eggs on the ground? Killdeer are shorebirds that prefer open spaces, relying on camouflage rather than hidden nests. Their eggs are speckled to blend in with gravel, dirt, or sand, making them difficult for predators to spot. Both parents also take turns in protecting the eggs.

👀 If you look closely, you can see the black-spotted egg right next to the Killdeer's legs! Best we give these birds their space.

☀️ The Viera Wetlands is open from 7 AM - 7 PM 😊

04/01/2026

😊 Spotted this duo of birds at the Viera Wetlands today. Check out this Anhinga flapping their wings and tail to dry off their plumage, as well as a Great Blue Heron close by!

🪶 While male and female Great Blue Herons are nearly indistinguishable in color, the same can't be said for Anhingas. Adult males are black with silver/white streaks, whereas adult females and immatures have tan heads and necks with brown feathers. The Anhinga featured in the video is likely an immature and/or female!

💚 Come stop by at the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands! Open from 7 AM - 7 PM ⛅

03/13/2026

🕊️ Their songs may sound sad (after all, it’s how they got their name), but it’s far from the reason why they make these sounds. Some songs are used by males in courtship and nest-building, with females responding with similar songs if they are interested or sitting on the nest.

😊 Once you hear the iconic calls of Mourning Doves, they will stick with you forever! Listen to their sounds and hear if you recognize them! https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove/sounds

🧠 Start your weekend with , giving you weekly fun facts about the beautiful wildlife you can find at the Viera Wetlands!

03/11/2026

An alligator will open their mouth for several different reasons, such as...
❄️ Thermoregulation - Cooling off excess heat from their head and body.
🛑 Territorial Display - A warning sign to other animals and humans to stay back.
🍽️ Opportunistic Feasting - Waiting for the right moment for smaller prey to wander into their mouth.

This alligator was likely cooling off after basking in the sun. Regardless, it's important to give these swamp beasts their personal space and admire them from afar.

🎥 This footage was filmed with a long lens at a safe distance by Molly Smith.

🍃 Come see more of these large reptiles at the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands! Open 7 AM - 7 PM 🌅

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