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Posted by Paul-the-other on 05:17:16 01/23/06
The ponds are drawn down at Wakodahatchee and two recent cold fronts have changed the complexion completely. Coots are present in abundance and the numbers of moorhens and gallinules are rising. Four of the GBHeron nests are in the incubation stage. The bird tracks in the mud flats could make for an ornithology final exam, they truly are fascinating. Sora are present, green backs are everywhere, tri-colors and Great egrets are in good number. Hundreds of red-winged blakbirds descended on the area early Sunday morning. Couldn't tell if they were heading south, north, or just milling around. Frequent rain showers made viewing and photography difficult. With one eye on the easterly rain showers and one eye on the distance to the pavillion shelters there weren't many eyes left to look.
The mamma raccoon is still "in the tree" and as you pass the babies peek over the side. Cute!
A red shouldered hawk cruised back and forth to let the ground bounds know who is in charge.
Black-necked stilts circled (15) but for some reason didn't land. Green winged teal and blue winged teal number about 35 and mottled ducks winged in all morning. Speaking of winging, the ring necked ducks in number about 250 filled the retaining pond at Exit 81 Turnpike at 7:30. They were not there at 11:00 when we left the area.
Green Cay was by-passed because of the persistent interrmitent rain showers. The cooper's hawk was in the same area on Lake Ida road between Jog and Hagen Ranch road.
The "hatch-watch" is on for the GBHerons. Probably about 10-14 more days.
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