The weather wasn’t stellar when I arrived in South Florida. Strong easterly winds were active when I arrived at my sea side condo and I know what happens when the winds come off the ocean. Gannets happen! Lots of them. It was so nice not to be freezing while watching Gannetsglide and dive. From my fourth floor balcony once again I delight in the soaring of Brown Pelicans at my elevated eye level. Even seeing gulls from this level changes my perspective and brings back wonder in watching ordinary gulls. Wonderful, too, again to see Ospreys hunt and dive, Sanderlings dash in and out following the movements of waves on the shore and Ruddy Turnstones move and stop…move & stop as they search for food.
I joined, once again, the bird walks at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Lox, as I call it for brevity’s sake, is a great place to bird this time of year. Bird walks are held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, November through April. It is not unusual to see fifty plus species on those walks. Able guides lead visitors around large impoundments with varying water levels. It is essentially a South Florida Water Management area, so depending on the water levels, the bird species fluctuate. Lox also has cypress tree forests and a boardwalk through a small section of mangrove.
South Florida is known for its specialties and birders come from all over the world to check them off their lists. A bird high on the search list is the Snail Kite. On one recent chilly morning, we had a real treat in 5 kites. They are not “gimmies.” They only eat apple snails, so they are dependent on them. Another specialty often sought out especially by the Brits – often very sun burnt – is the Limpkin. There is a section of the impoundments that was dubbed “Limpkin Lane” by a lovely man named Wren..(I kid you not!) from Washington State, because Limpkins are usually found there! Their call, well scream actually, is quite distinctive and loud and can be recognized by even the most bird-call challenged.
Mottled ducks are the common dabbler around here. They resemble the female mallard. One must travel at least 3 hours north to see mallards. I was recently informed that sightings of mallards in South Florida are not considered valid sightings on the Christmas Count, as they would be considered as introduced. Mottled duck is a good one for us northern folk. Other birds that delight me are the Pileated Woodpeckers and the Yellow Throated warblers. So ends my December report!
I’m off to the beach…so happy birding!
Next Installment: The Great Barn Owl Caper!