Around Town

Amid our different schedule this week,  we were happy to be able fit in a Wednesday evening trip to the wetlands, a Thursday morning walk at the Moccasin Island Tract, and a dreary Saturday morning visit to the Click Ponds.

Least Tern
Viera Wetlands

The Least Terns and I seem to be frequenting the same areas lately. I saw them at both the wetlands and Click Ponds this week and I am still seeing them regularly along the Indian River.

The wetlands have quieted down quite a bit since the departure of the winter birds. The usual Herons, Egrets, Limpkins, Moorhens, Coots, Anhingas, Cormorants, Blue-winged Teals, Pied-billed Grebes, White & Glossy Ibises, and Ospreys were all visible. Red-winged Blackbirds, Savannah Sparrows, a Loggerhead Shrike, and Northern Mockingbirds were a few of the other birds we saw.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Moccasin Island Tract

I saw this Red-shouldered Hawk hanging out on a fence post, pulling something apart, on the drive out to Moccasin Island.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Moccasin Island Tract

Turned out to be an insect with large green wings.

Eastern Meadowlark
Moccasin Island Tract

I think you can guess what we heard on our Moccasin Island walk...

Boat-tailed Grackle
Click Ponds

The Click Ponds seemed overrun with Boat-tailed Grackles and dragonflies. We walked a section of the ponds where we observed a variety of activity in the wooded area that surrounds the ponds. It started with the plump Mockingbird with a bill deformity (I seem to be encountering quite a few of these lately).

Northern Mockingbird
Click Ponds

We saw a pair of Cardinals, a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, several Mourning Doves, and one Common-ground Dove. We also saw a Gray Catbird, who decided to flash us a view its rufous-colored undertail coverts.

Gray Catbird
Click Ponds

We then spotted a large, in-flight raptor headed our way. It turned out to be a Bald Eagle, and it landed on a utility pole in the far distance, but still within view.

Bald Eagle
Click Ponds

Just as I thinking it was exciting to see the Eagle, a pair of juvenile/immature Bald Eagles flew overhead! I have never seen 2 young eagles flying together before. I guess Mom (or Dad) was trailing them to be sure they were staying out of trouble.

Sandhill Cranes 

Sandhill Cranes

I saw this new family of Sandhill Cranes on a quiet street by my house. I took these photos from the car.

Jetty Park

My son and I made an impromptu trip to Jetty Park late Friday afternoon hoping to catch the launch of a Delta rocket, as well as, of course, some birds. We were able to manage alittle bit of both!  Jetty Park is located in Cape Canaveral and is home to a beautiful beach, a very large fishing pier, and a campground. We walked to jetty first, catching sight of some fishing Brown Pelicans, Royal Terns, and a few gulls. We then headed up the beach to see a flock of gulls. Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls were there in large numbers.

Laughing Gull
Jetty Park

Ring-billed Gull
Jetty Park

This guy was bracing himself for the very large gusts of wind that were whipping sand across the beach. I realized with only one minute to spare that it was nearly launch time. I was thankful we didn't miss it as this was the third attempt at launch.

We next ventured to the boardwalk, scanning the growth for some song birds. There were several Mockingbirds singing. The sun was beginning to set as we saw two Gray Catbirds playing in the hardwoods. We also saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Gray Catbird
Jetty Park

We then headed back to the beach and I was very glad we did as a very large mixed flock was settling in for the evening. The highlight for me was watching the Black Skimmers.

Black Skimmers
Jetty Park

Black Skimmers

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull