Commonly seen are the reddish egret, roseate spoonbill and limpkin. The Great Florida Birding Trail opened its first section at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in November 2000. North Brevard has 11 sites on the Trail with up to 25 others within a 30-minute drive from Titusville. More than 50 Birding Trail sites are within an hours drive. Over 330 species of birds have been observed at Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Migration periods can be quite exciting as unusual species often show up.
Another draw to birding in North Brevard is the possibility of spotting pelagic birds in fall and winter. On days with strong northeast or east winds, boobies, shearwaters, storm petrels, northern gannets, and jaegers may be seen just offshore. A variety of seminars and workshops include nature photography, beginning birding, management of ecosystems and wetlands, bird behavior and habitat, butterflies, manatee, sea turtles, wildflowers, and much more. Field trips highlight regional species such as the threatened Florida scrub jay, endangered whooping crane, indigo snake, and the rare and elusive black rail. The Festival Steering Committee provides an opportunity for artists, craft persons, and businesses specializing in nature and wildlife, birding, and eco-tourism as well as government agencies and organizations supporting nature and wildlife and the environment to spotlight their products and services in a special Exhibit Area.