Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts Viera Wetlands |
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| Address: 10001 Wickham Road • Melbourne, FL 32940 | |||||
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| (321) 637-5521 | n/a | Brevard County | Map | Open all year | Sunrise to Sunset |
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| At Entrance Porta Potty |
1 Medium at Entrance |
No Center | Accessible | None | good signage throughout |
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| Gazebo and 2 Observation Decks |
Benches can be found throughout the Trails |
unfortunately Pets allowed |
Biking allowed | Quite easy to hike. Manageable loops |
No entrance Fees |
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Viera Wetlands, as it is know (the official name is Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands) has the concept in it’s name. It’s a Wetland environment, that offers a variety of Birds a home and provides Winter Quarters for many Migrants. | ||||
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Throughout the year Viera is worth a visit, offering a variety of wildlife. Wading Birds, Waterbirds, Woodpeckers, Songbirds, Raptors, Turtles, Alligators can be found in any season. | ||||
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Wildlife highlights are Northern Harriers, Crested Caracaras that have a permanent home at Viera, Eagles and Ospreys, Great Blue Heron nesting, Loggerhead Shrikes, Bitterns. Not too mention the plentiful array of Ducks coming in during winter | ||||
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Layout is simple and since it’s a “drive through” it is a place that also is suited for handicapped Wildlife lovers. With different vegetation in the different cells there is also a variety of animals that can be seen in each area. The most promising area is the center, where you can find most of the action. | ||||
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Unfortunately there are some issues, that prevent Viera from getting the best grades. The roads are usually not in very good shape. Employees are at times not really friendly – that is sort of a hit and miss. While there is a trash receptacle at the entrance – it is accessible to wildlife and you have trash lying around there quite often. It also is not being emptied as often as it should. |
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While it is a good place at any time – the highlight here are the sunsets. Not only allowing for great shots – it is also a time where birds come in to roost. Early mornings are good as well. | ||||
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Late Fall to early spring is THE time to visit. Migrant Ducks, Songbirds are all about. Caracaras nest and have their young, as many of the resident animals. But regardless of the season – the Viera Wetlands do not disappoint. | ||||
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 Organizational issues prevent this place to get the best rating. However – what Wildlife is concerned it rakes in great grades. And for most of us that is what counts. |
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| Viera Wetlands Map | |
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| Sunrise at Viera | Sunset at Viera |
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| Viera daytime | Viera daytime |
4 Responses to “Viera Wetlands”
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Excellent write up on this area. Two things that might be added to this would be the click ponds as well as the hunting area to the west.
Yes. I was actually thinking about it. Moccasin Tract is considered it’s own area and will get a separate review – but while the click ponds are not official part of the Rich Grissom Memorial Wetlands, I probably will make an addendum, pointing them out.
Good info!
Though at least partially incorrect information from the plant manager. While it is not a Park, it is however designated as a public location by Brevard County. Stating that the area is provided by the Plant as a goodie for all us Birders out of the goodness of their hearts is just nonsense. Equally bewildering is the statement about the employees. You don’t need to be trained to have decent manners. You can ask people friendly to leave the wetlands, because they are closing. You don’t hoot, holler or even drive people almost off the road with a truck. Happened to me while they didn’t have any info on closing times posted. They simply behaved like asses. And I don’t think that this is excusable. The employee’s statement that complaints make unhappy workers is just funny and is distorting reality. Complaints make unhappy employers. And if the employer – in this case Brevard County – does not do something about it, then the complaints will pile up. As a general rule of thumb – employees neither run the business, nor do they make the rules.
For the rest – of course it’s nonsense to ask for reimbursement, if the wetlands are closed.
That’s an interesting point about the employees. Viera isn’t set up to be a park, its really open to the public as a courtesy and the personnel are there to work at the plant and aren’t really trained to deal with the public.
I pulled this post off of Birdbrain on 12/01/2009 and I found it useful and informative. I would definitely save that number in your cell phone if you plan on heading out there.
Hi Fellow Birders,
The Wetlands have been closed (since last Wed) but are now reopened, today.
I think I’ll probably be ‘preaching to the choir’ here, but I spoke with a
gentleman from their office this morning and he requested I make this post.
He was very kind but explained that Viera Wetlands is NOT a park. They have
F/T people running the water treatment plant and that the wetlands are a
bonus to us.
They’ve been receiving numerous complaints from disgruntled people (couldn’t
be us?) who rant about having driven from Vero Beach (specifically
mentioned) …and demanding that their gas money be reimbursed. Absurd.
IF you have to drive a distance, please call their office FIRST. Plant
Office: (321) 255-4329 they will be happy to let you know if they are open
or not.
If we’ve had rain (due again here tomorrow) they will most likely close.
The employee also made it clear that too many complaints make unhappy
workers, as is the case in any situation; and if we want the Wetlands to
remain open, we will hopefully be a bit more hospitable. He DID say that he
doubted it was ‘this’ group…However, there is always someone whose glass
is viewed half empty, so—Be kind, please and thank you. We ALL want this
great place to be available to us, yes?
Have a GREAT day. I mean it.