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Posted by Vincent Lucas on 15:14:48 11/20/11
What a difference a week makes! As predicted, the flooded field west of Ave Maria near the intersection of Oil Well Grade Rd. & Oil Well Rd. (CR858) in Collier County is drying up. Water levels are now confined to channels, whereas previously, the entire field looked like a lake. This morning, the ducks at this location were much closer to the road and the early morning sun was perfect for viewing them. Unlike a week ago, there were no Ring-necked Ducks or any Redheads present. However, all of the other duck species were, some with increased numbers. Here are my duck estimates:
Gadwall x5-6
Northern Pintail >20
Green-winged Teal >200
Blue-winged Teal >700
Northern Shoveler >50
Mottled Duck >50
American Wigeon x6-8
A week ago, American Coots were the most common species present at this location whereas today, there were only about 50 birds present at the far northern end of the flooded field. The sheer number of White Ibis exceeded 1500 while Wood Stork numbers were over 750 individuals. Glossy Ibis numbers were well over 200 individuals. Roseate Spoonbill numbers were up with over 30 birds counted. All of the "white" waders far outnumbered the "colored" waders by 50 to one. Shorebird numbers were way up with a few new species from the previous week. In addition to the good numbers of both yellowlegs, I counted 12+ Black-bellied Plovers and 10+ Least Sandpipers. Two Peregrine Falcons were present strafing the birds as were five Bald Eagles (2 adults and three subadults -- a family group perhaps)? Northern Harrier and Red-shouldered Hawk were also present as were numerous Black & Turkey Vultures.
From this location, I traveled north on Oil Well Grade to Immokalee Rd. (CR846) and headed east to the county line (CR858/County Line Rd.) then headed south to the east leg of CR858 (Oil Well Rd.) and then back to CR846 and then back to Naples completing a big "loop". The best birds seen on this "loop" were 25+ Wild Turkeys on County Line Rd. just south of the intersection with CR846 and two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at the MED Farms, also on County Line Rd. Five Crested Caracara and 4 Limpkins were also seen on Oil Well Rd. In among a few Savannah Sparrows about a mile east of Sunniland on Oil Well Rd., I found a Grasshopper Sparrow. This is a good location for them in winter in Collier County.
However, THE BEST BIRD I found today was seen in a retention pond at the intersection of CR858/Oil Well Rd. & Everglades Blvd. It was a Horned Grebe and it was associating with a male & female Hooded Merganser. Horned Grebe, if found at all in Collier County, is usually seen on the Gulf. It is uncommon at any time during the winter. Inland records are rare here. It was my first inland sighting for Collier County. I was able to call Joe Bozzo who lives in nearby Golden Gate and he was able to see this bird.
Other more common species seen on this "loop" were Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, , Anhinga, American Kestrel, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Common Moorhen, Mourning & Eurasian Collared-Dove, Eastern Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Northern Mockingbird, Common Yellowthroat, Boat-tailed Grackle & Red-winged Blackbird.
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