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Posted by Paddy Cunningham on 15:26:31 12/17/10
Beautiful blue sky, slight wind.
I was hoping to show everybody the Marsh Wren, I had seen before on my last 3 visits. I now had the tape and was hoping for the best. We got great view of the wren and much, much more. The mother load came at the end of the trail in the hammock planting/ seating area before the last bridge. We flushed a Barn Owl and it flew off like a white ghost to some far off tall Slash Pines. After a while as we searched for the Brown Thrasher seen under some Scarletbush, an American Bittern flew out from the back of the shrub for a quick but full view of this scarce bird. After hearing a Sora and it did fly right in front of us of course to disappear into the cattails. Barbara DeWitt spotted an amazing Least Bittern in the same cattails and those who were alert got to see that beautiful rust color.
While searching for the Marsh Wren, a Short-tailed Hawk flew right over our heads and we all got to see its light battleship gray on black wings and faint banding on the tail. Amazing view.
Another nice sighting was an immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, drab brown in places and great to see up close. Other interesting birds were close views of Yellow-throated Warblers who seem to prefer Sable Palm crowns. One has wintered for 3 years in our school courtyard again among the fronds and berries of a Sable Palm. It was good to see close studies of Tri-colored and Little Blue Herons. Blue-winged Teals and Mottled Ducks were the only waterfowl. Spotted Sandpipers appeared when asked, tottering along the muddy bank.
Target wetlands had no Canvasback in sight, but we had close studies of Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks. Greater Yellowlegs flew off as we arrived.
About 20 birders attended from both groups and for those who said ho-hum Plantation Preserve again missed some great birds.
Happy Holidays and good luck on the CBC.
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