Christmas, Fl ~ Orlando Wetlands

I haven't been to Orlando Wetlands since 2017 and in that time there have been some changes.  The volunteers now run all day long tram tours lasting about an hour that explain the function of the wetlands and show off the different trails that are available to walk.  The birds are still very close as are the alligators.  Don't the volunteers say there has never been anyone attacked by an alligator so that's a great thing!

Common Gallinule

Wood Stork

Roseate Spoonbills

Anhinga

Anhinga

Anhinga peeking around the tree as an alligator swims into her territory.

Marsh Wren

Little Blue

 

Red-shouldered Hawk

Black Vulture

American Alligator

Cumberland County ~ Heislerville WMA & Thompson Beach Road

Black-bellied Plover

Short-billed Dowitcher

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Dunlin

Osprey on nest

Marsh Wren

Birding Cape May County ~ con't

I was excited to take Max & Tanya over to Reed's Beach to see the Red Knots and other shorebirds feeding on the Horseshoe Crab eggs.  When I was there on Thursday I was told the Horseshoe Crab spawning was down so far this year.  This was attributed to the fact we have had many days of rain causing the Delaware Bay waters to be colder than usual.  They were hoping for a good spawn soon and had one last night as we get closer to the full moon.  We didn't make it to Reed's Beach until mid tides. I was surprised to see that there were few shorebirds compared all of the other visits I'd made there in the past 10 days. I was also surprised to see that there were a number of Horseshoe Crabs buried under the sand of the beach.  The Red Knots and Ruddy Turnstones were feeding at the back of the buried crabs and the crabs were moving so you could see they were still alive.  Hopefully they made it back in the waters at high tide.  We also found a Marsh Wren while there.

Marsh Wren ~ Reed's Beach

Red Knot and Ruddy Turnstones Feeding on Horseshoe Crab eggs ~ Reed's Beach

Red Knot and Ruddy Turnstones Feeding on Horseshoe Crab eggs ~ Reed's Beach

Ruddy Turnstone Feeding on Horseshoe Crab eggs ~ Reed's Beach

Fall Migration ~ New yard birds

Marsh Wren #88 Yard bird

Hermit Thrush ~ #89 Yard Bird