FIELD TRIP: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Date: Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Leader Name: Samantha McGee

Leader Contact Information: 321-298-6505

Trip/area Description: Ranger Sammie McGee will lead an early-morning visit to the pine forests that are home to Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Bachman’s Sparrows and others. She has led similar tours in the past for PIAS, and participants have been successful in watching as the woodpeckers emerge from their nest holes as the sun rises. Following the visit to the pine forest, Ranger McGee may take us to see Florida Scrub Jays and other scrub inhabitants. The woodpeckers will be more active in February (closer to nesting season) than during our past trips in January.

Duration of trip: 4 hours

Walking distance: 0.5 miles

Degree of difficulty, and any special instructions: Participants may have to ride in the bed of a truck so must be capable of climbing in and out of the high pickup-truck bed or other vehicle. Dress appropriately for the weather which may be cool at daybreak.

Where to meet: Meet at the Park visitor center at 5:45 a.m. for an interpretive briefing and to reach the site by sunrise. The visitor center is located at 1000 Buffer Preserve Drive, Fellsmere FL 32948, north of Fellsmere, across from the entrance road to the Stick Marsh.

Time of meeting: 5:45 am to organize and reach the birding site on time.

Number of participants limit: 10 people because of the limited space. Sign up early!

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Fellsmere, Meetups in Fellsmere.