
Wetlands Park. The OWP provided us with a Tram and a knowledgeable driver which
was enjoyed by 9 folks and allowed some to complete the 2 1/2 mile birding loop. We
tallied 46 species, including Brown Thrush, Bald Eagle, King Rail (H), Limpkin, many
Purple Gallinule, Red-tailed Hawk, Sora, Barred Owl (H), Black-Crowned and Yellow-crowned
Night Herons, and ~60 Roseate Spoonbills.
I think for most, the highlight was the Wood Stork and Night Heron Rookery that was
seen from the Oyler Overlook. Well over a 100 Wood Storks were viewed many carrying
nesting material, along with at least 10 Night Herons! The list is here
On Tuesday, we rendezvoused at the Parrish Beach Park, along with 100s of Falcon Heavy
Watchers! We completed our normal route at the W. Gator Creek Rd. Cove and Black Point
Drive and picked up 54 species, including C. Loon, Horned Grebe, A. Bittern, Sora, Bald Eagle,
5 Duck species, Roseate Spoonbill, 3 Tern species, and some nearly full-up breeding Reddish
Egrets doing their "drunken sailor" dance.
We decided to evacuate MINWR and go inland for lunch and then visit the Chain of Lakes Park
to watch the Falcon Heavy Launch. Due to the Launch slip to 3:45, we were able to do some
more birding and picked up 6 more species, including Mottled Duck and Pileated Woodpecker.
So in all, 60 species were tallied for the day plus one impressive Heavy Falcon which made the
end of the Launch Window at 3:45! The list is here
What a great 2 days of birding and Launch, Jim & Eileen