
including the Great Black-backed Gull and a Common Loon, we did our
normal short walk on West Gator Creek Rd. We really hit the "birdpot"
with many A. Avocets and L. Yellowlegs in the small pond with perfect
reflections. Also, the Indian River had a group of L. Scaups and the shore-
line had Willets, Dunlins, Sanderlings, and Least Sandpipers.
After one of our best starts, we took off for Black Point Wildlife Drive. For
some reason, we had the Drive to ourselves which was nice. Our first stop
was at Duck Point where we picked up B.W. Teal, N. Shovelers, N. Pintail,
and Hooded Mergansers and A. Coots, of course.
Further along at the nest platform, a Light Red-tailed Hawk was posing for
the group! At the Viewing Platform (closed) parking area we managed to
see a good number of Marbled Godwits, Reddish Egret, Black Skimmers,
Caspian Tern and a nice group of soaring White Pelicans.
Other birds seen along the drive, at the Visitor's Center and on the
Canaveral National Seashore were:
o Mottled Duck and A. Wigeon, giving us 7 Duck species for the day
o N. Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk
o Green Heron
o Sora
o Eastern Bluebird
o Loggerhead Shrike
o FL Scrub-Jay
o Painted Bunting
Even though, we broke up after stopping at the Visitor's Center, we tallied
74 species with many contributions from most of our participants.
Another fun and productive Audubon Trip, Jim & Eileen