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Posted by Paul-the-other on 09:35:57 04/01/05
Green Cay was productive this week. 40-60 black necked stilts, about 35 greater yellowlegs and two hawks at very high altitude (no ident). The first clutch of mottled ducks hatched. Momma had 11 in number and she was shading them under her wing. Thius is the first of the season I believe as we have seen none at Wakodahatchee (the sister boardwalk about one mile east). One regrettable event stirred some attention as I traversed the long walks. There is a small gyrocopter runway about 1/4 mile from the GreenCay Wetland and the locals took great sport in buzzing the Green Cay area repeatedly. Those antics kept the stilts and yellowlegs in confusion and they finally spooked and fled the area heading east. Probably over to Wakodahatchee. Some warblers were also present--mostly yellow rumped. A few egrets and many red-winged balckbirds. The vegetation still has a year or so to go but the lay out is well worth the visit. Exit 81 from the turnpike and head east to Hagen Ranch rd (about a mile) then head north about 2 miles. You'll see it on the right side.
Oh yes. killdeer were present and large number of swallows that I failed to scope and ident.
Also present were about 25 pair (mated?) of mottled ducks. This could become a major hatchery for this native duck.
Paul L: if you haven't been yet do see this place it is remarkably adaptable for the physically impaired. The ramps are gentle and the bathrooms are all indoors. The wide open areas are about 500-800 yards across and viewing is very good. There are frequent "rain shelters" and the boardwalks are intersecting so people can do long ones or short ones.
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