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Posted by Paul-the-other on 08:37:37 09/18/09
Activity is increasing at Hoechoka Hammock (Sawgrass and University). This morning my wandering revealed a screech owl on top of the chickee hut. It was using the "whinny" call which is spooky if you never heard it but Old Florida if you have been around for a while. Such a melody!
Warblers are primarily prairie with a few pine. Two osprey are now in residence in the trees at what we call north beach. A Cooper s hawk is still present and moves with great foresight and wisdom before you can observe for a while.
Red winged blackbirds are increasing in number but not too noisy. Dove are stable in number. It is tough to track them now as we have widely dispersed the feeders to avoid congestion and make the Cooper's hawk earn his living the old fashioned way.
More mottled ducks have arrived and finally the waterways on three sides of the church property at Hoechoka Hammock resounded to the cacophony of the quacks. The numbers are up to 22 and they realize that they outnumber the Muscovy. But, duck nature being what it is they fight one another with the same vigor they fight the Muscovy.
Tree frogs are also appearing now. It is the Cuban Tree frog but considering we have been building the hammock area for 12 years it is nice to finally welcome them aboard. The bromeliads torn to pieces attests to the fact that the raccoons are searching them out in the cup of the plant.
Recently we received 6 cubic yards of Hogan Tree company mulch from a job site certified as "all native vegetation." It has since been processed through the church mulchers (McKissacs)to reduce it in size. The result is a highly managable pile of all native-rich-with-seed mulch that will be placed around the property to continue the ever expanding hammock building.
Anyone interested in observing Hammock Building work in process email the address above. We learned from Joyce Gann and George Allen and are continuing the "good fight" to paraphrase scripture. I'll be on the property early Saturday morning. Bring your binocs....can't tell what you will see.
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