Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera, 10001 Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL, 32940.
Posted by: 
greysman
N 28° 13.713 W 080° 45.628
17R E 523501 N 3122543
Also known as the Viera Wetlands, the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands are easily accessible and offer birding for all levels of skill and identification.
Waymark Code: WMJT8N
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 12/28/2013
Views: 10
Known to most birders simply as Viera Wetlands this is a water treatment works of about 200acres extent with water flowing through the four shallow-water 'cells' to be reclaimed and used to water domestic and commercial gardens in the area. Water is also recycled to the Brevard County Zoo. Being shallow each of the cells has developed a varied range of waterplants which act as filters for the water, the quality of which improves as it slowly passes along the gradient between cells.
A fortunate side product is that this site has become an exceptional place for birding by car, foot or bicycle. There is a compacted route round every cell and the lake, and two observation towers provide excellent views over the cells (a spotting scope is useful).
The list of birds seen here is too long for inclusion here, suffice it to say that the range of birds is exciting, from raptors including Crested Caracara, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk and the occasional Snail Kite; waterbirds - American Coot, Wood Duck, Northern Pintail and Hooded Merganser, Least and American Bittern, King Rail, Limpkin, Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Great White Heron, Tri-coloured Heron, Black-necked Stilt and Purple Gallinule; shorebirds can include American Golden-Plover, Upland Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Other rarities spotted here include Masked Duck and Mangrove Swallow.
The Wetlands is open from 0700 to dusk daily.