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Posted by Nancy Freedman on 08:00:24 03/20/06
14 people enjoyed a delightful day at Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Green Cay on March 18th, including 3 from Collier County Audubon Society. The highlights at Wakodahatchee were the baby Great Blue Herons, 3 in nest. We were thrilled by a Sharp-shinned Hawk and two male Northern Shovelers. (year birds!) There was a Forster s Tern and Black-necked Stilts too boot. The Martin houses were empty, save for a lone Starling sitting on top of one. Blue-winged Teal and Green-winged Teal were amongst the duck species, and Mottleds of course. Apparently, the Snipes have gone as well as the Kingfishers. However, the water was very high. The Marsh Rabbits were back, I saw 2! White-winged doves were seen as well as a Downy Woodpecker in the parking lot, in an area where apparently they have been cleaning out exotics; thus, no Thrashers. No Soras here, that was to come at Green Cay.
Linda McCandless promised us and she was the one who found it; near the very end of the walk at Green Cay! There were lots of babies, Moorhens, Pied-billed Grebes, Anhingas, etc. At Green Cay a baby Pied-billed Grebe was following its mother and learning to dive. The male Blue-winged Teal were exquisite with their head shining a pinky-rose in the sunlight. Plenty of Glossy Ibis along with a lot of White Ibis. The Martins were abundant,
and in the houses at Green Cay, along with Tree Swallows. A Least Bittern and Limpkin were heard only birds. A Northern Harrier was spotted by John Hutchison flying very high; migrating? There were quite a few Coots too. We had a talk with the manager of Green Cay who was very proud at the number of Purple Gallinules now being seen; seems like they were everywhere. He also mentioned there was at least one Bobcat around. A Royal Tern was a surprise, having a tough time swallowing the fish it caught. The only warblers for the day were Palms, Yellow-rumped and Common Yellow Throats. Wood storks were seen at the Country Club area where Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets were standing on the green grass showing off their wonderful plumage. The walk concluded at 12 noon.
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