Posted by Paul (not Bithorn) on December 23, 2002 at 06:53:29:
Visited ENP on Friday for a day of fishing and birding. The cold front passed by 2:00 PM but morning was cool and calm. Mosquitos are light, no-see-ums also light. The marina was vacant, no visitors and only a couple of tents on the campground. Eco-pond is terribly grown over and Mzarek Pond was typically empty as was Coot Bay. The Flamingo Flats were loaded with birds including a merlin that "mixed it up" with a flock of gulls. Just for fun! White morphs, a/k/a/ Great Whites, were abundant. Reddish egrets plyed their trade at Snake Bight (seen from the water side)
Anhingas are already nesting at Royal Palm and the Bittern and Great Blue are in their designated every- year-see-me-here spots. Very little car traffic, and very few people. Warblers are every where and sandhill cranes are in the farm fields before entering the Park.
Marbled Godwits flew past our boat in flocks of 25-50. What a sight to see that bird go by...upturned beak and all. In early forenoon we journeyed into Lake Ingraham to catch some sheepsheads and drums and got good action on redfish (catch and release) Then, in the channel to the lake and at the lake itself we were favored with several sighings of crocidils. Alligators were omni-present. (I know they aren't birds, but they were LOOKING AT BIRDS)The wood storks are in huge numbers....more than I have seen in some 55 years of viewing the glades.
Xanterra says they are looking for a good season beginning right after Christmas. I can believe that since the weather is cool, litle wet, but nice breezes. Bird lovers, come on down. All in all, a pleasant time, and not yet crowded.
Our photo-group, and the outdoor people from our church will be in residence at the cabins at Flamingo over the MLK weekend. Look us up. We'll trade life list rareties for a cup or coffee!