Posted by Nick Myatt on March 26, 2002 at 17:57:37:
Had an unusual sighting this afternoon. Heidi Kirk (a temporary watefowl biologist at Merritt Island NWR) found a female, long-tailed duck (oldsquaw) on the Indian River in the town of Titusville. The bird was located along state road 406 which crosses the indian river from titusville to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refugue. Directions: From Interstate 95 take exit 80 onto 406 (Garden Street). Take this road east through Tittusville until you start to leave the town and go over a lift bridge over the Indian River. Just after you go over the lift bridge (about 30 feet) on the left side of the road (north side) the duck was seen around the three picnic tables that are between the lift bridge and the boat launch. The long-tail was alone preening on a rock up against the break wall. You must get out of your car to see the bird becaues it was right up against the break wall allowing people to get within 10 feet of it.