The Cypress trees are green again and the inner branches are still hosting many Palm Warblers.
One would think that with as much foot traffic there is around Lake Davis that Wood Ducks would stop being so nervous. Maybe that is why there are plenty of them, though. Maybe the dogs are their problem.
Off to the church and to check the vanishing retention pond. I have been driving straight passed this spot for a while. Mergansers were gone and other ducks left a couple months ago to hang out in real lakes so I didn't think it warrented my time but I felt a need to check it today. As soon as I got out of the van I noticed a Red-shouldered Hawk up on the fence.
The bird flew off to the retention pond just as another juvenile flew to the fence. I walked around to the left and the bird flew farther down looking for something but posed for a few moments. Must have been looking through the mud judging by the dirty feet.
Finally scanning the muck of the retention pond I was pleasantly surprised to see a new bird. A Black-necked Stilt.
There were a pair of Black-necked Stilts here last year so perhaps it was the same pair. I was about to leave but I heard a Yellowlegs fly in. Why? The hawks were chasing it. They made 3 shots but missed every time.
Over at Greenwood Wetlands I was looking for any other young birds. While I was looking about someone asked if I had seen the gator? Wha? I have not seen an American Alligator in the wetlands in my 20 years going through there. But up on the far shore...
A gorgeous Great Blue Heron was standing not far from the gator.
Off to the right, a Tricolored Heron swooped in and hunted under the Cypress trees.
Up in the other Cypress trees, more Palm Warblers. I found no other warblers other than Palms today. Weird.
Not a bad hour all within a few miles of home. Could use some more migrants, though.
No comments:
Post a Comment