Chosen by the Southeastern Tourism Society as one of their Top 20 Events for January 2016, the Space Coast Festival is regarded as one of the top birding events in the nation.

More than 330 species of birds have been identified on Florida's Space Coast due to its location on the Atlantic flyway. This festival is unique thanks to the ideal weather and environmental conditions of Florida's Space Coast. The area's natural assets include marshlands, cypress hammocks, pine flatwoods, scrub habitat, estuaries, and open ocean. These diverse habitats provide birders and wildlife watchers from around the world endless opportunities to spot rarities including the Florida scrub-jay and the roseate spoonbill.

"Florida's Space Coast is the ultimate paradise for bird and wildlife watching, thanks to its incredibly diverse natural areas," said Eric Garvey, Executive Director for Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism. "We're so lucky we are home to one of the largest collections of endangered wildlife and plants in the continental United States."

This year, attendees can select from more than 250 activities and events. Workshops and tours for the novice birder as well as the expert digiscoper are options each day. Classes include not only birding topics, but experts on sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, butterflies, snakes, bats, and the North Atlantic right whale also will offer presentations. An offshore birding and wildlife adventure will give participants the opportunity to see ocean birds and animals, as well as working shrimp boats.

For a schedule of events and current list of presenters, go to: www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org