The Scrub Jays of Dicerandra Sanctuary, Titusville Florida’s hidden gem

The Dicerandra Sanctuary is a property purchased and maintained by the Brevard County Environmental Hazard Lands Program and is located within the city of Titusville. It is so named because of a plant that exists there and in the surrounding area, but is not known to exist anywhere else. Dicerandra Thinicola is one of five species of Dicerandra known to exist in Florida and each has a highly localized population on various sand ridges or old beach dunes throughout the state. The Dicerandra Sanctuary is 44 acres in size and has an approximately 1 mile hiking trail that runs through the property and habitats range from a depression wetland on the east side to the Atlantic Coastal Ridge Scrub Habitat to the west. The property is also home to many other species, such as Florida Scrub Jays, Gopher Tortoise, various Raptors, songbirds, turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, and more. In my opinion the Scrub Jays are the star of this hike and this is a must hike for birders looking to add Florida Scrub Jay to their life list.

As you enter the property from the trailhead off Melissa Drive in Titusville, the trail will take you west through a small section of woodland along the southern end of the Depression Swamp and intersects with a fire brake used for the management of controlled burns. Turn left and walk along the firewall and you will see Pine Flat-woods on your left and Depression Marsh on your right. Make sure to scan the grassy swamp. If there is standing water, you can see sand cranes, egrets, herons, and other species, while the trees along the right side of the trail along the swamp will host many smaller migrants. To the west, explore the pine forests for raptors and especially dead trees for nesting cavities for woodpeckers. A couple hundred yards along the firewall trail you will come to an intersection with a hiking-only trail heading west. This will take you through the pine forests to the xeric scrub of the ridge. Along the way, look out for mockingbirds, blue jays, and rufous Towhees. You will soon come to another hiking trail intersection. Keep going up and you will be in Scrub Jay Territory and soon you will see the fence that lines the western edge of the property. Stand up and wait a few minutes and if all goes well, the jays will start to approach you. On this day I was armed with two video cameras and a digital SLR and was rewarded with excellent video and stills of a family group of Scrub Jays who not only approached me within 5 feet, but would follow me if I was moved a short distance. , allowing me to fill my Nikon’s memory card with excellent close-ups from Scrub jay.

If you are a bird watcher or wildlife photographer whose adventures take you to Central Florida, the Dicerandra Sanctuary in Titusville is a must-see. It is open 7 days a week, from dawn to dusk.

Addresses; From US-1 Take SR 50.7 miles west and turn left on Key Largo, go 0.4 miles and turn right on Karen Drive. Go less than 0.1 mile, turn right and go to the end of Melissa Drive. Enter on foot. From Interstate 95 and State Road 50 exit, drive 2.3 miles east and turn right on Key Largo, go 0.4 miles and turn right on Karen Drive. Go less than 0.1 mile, turn right and go to the end of Melissa Drive. Enter on foot.

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *