Posted by Robin Diaz on November 20, 2000 at 09:02:17:
In Reply to: Crandon Gardens posted by Erick on November 20, 2000 at 00:08:56:
The Quiet Gardens area is the old Crandon Park Zoo. The waterfowl are all purchased and maintained by a nonprofit organization. Valerie Cassidy goes daily to feed and take care of them. She will have a list of present and previous species. I understand that the nonmigratory ducks and geese are pinioned, while others such as teal are not. Therefore, any exciting duck sighting (such as Cinnamon Teal) in Bill Baggs is suspect. The resident teals are joined each winter by visiting ducks. Several of the Fulvous Whistling Ducks are visitors.
The original purchases included many species -- some of which have been stolen or have died. The Nenes have nested twice but unsuccessfully. White Ibis destroyed the eggs each time. The Mute Swans have successfully raised young, as well as Fulvous ducks. The Black Swan youngsters have been stolen along with the Peafowl young.
The iguanas have also destroyed many eggs and young but I do not know if they are considered invasive exotics in county parks.
This is a wonderful spot to study and photograph such species as White-cheeked Pintail, Falcated Teal, Mandarin Duck, Wood Duck and others.
There is a resident Eastern Screech-Owl in the southern part of the gardens. The Purple Martin house had 4 successful nests the first season it went up.