ASE Web

by Valleri Brauer

We had a perfect formula for a very successful birding weekend, January 23 & 24: 18 enthusiastic birders meeting 3 wonderful guides, reporting 94 species of birds and ducks, beautiful weather, great camaraderie and a photographer’s dream. Who could ask for more? We started out early from Palm Beach County to Viera Wetlands in a very heavy fog, but soon the sunny skies appeared. We walked thru the wetlands for about an hour in search of the Masked Duck. Although he wasn’t to be found, we encountered the elusive American Bittern, Bald Eagles, Caracaras, Tree Swallows, Blue-Winged Teals, Sandhill Cranes, rafts of coots, flocks of robins, herons and egrets to name a few. Soon we were able to drive thru the rest of the wetlands. We also found damaged plants and dead fish due to the deep freeze in the area for 2 solid weeks. Saturday afternoon we left for Merritt Island for a short stay at the visitor’s center. They showed an impressive display of Merritt Island’s habitat. Also available was an extensive library of wildlife books and gifts for purchase. We were greeted by two armadillos and a variety of warblers and starlings. There was a pair of Osprey nesting at the center. We then took a short drive thru Peacock Pocket Road. Saturday evening we met at the Dixie Crossroads seafood restaurant for dinner and sharing time.

Sunday morning we got an early start and went back to the visitor’s center to view the Painted Bunting, but again to no avail. Many of us walked the short boardwalk loop in search of morning creatures. We then ventured by caravan thru the Black Point Wildlife Drive where the excitement rose as we came upon a large variety of shorebirds, White Pelican flocks, Pintail Ducks, American Widgeons, Northern Shovelers, Blue winged Teals, Marbled Godwit, Killdeer, Ring-Billed & Caspian Gulls, herons, egrets, avocets, etc. Highlights were spotting the American Golden Plover, the white morph juvenile Reddish Egret, the family of four Bald Eagles at home in their nest, the up-close and colorful Roseate Spoonbills and much more.

We were so grateful to our guides, Jason Frederick and Cary & Betty Salter who showed us the best of everything. Thank you, also, to Judy & Bill Munro who kept records and reported a total count of 94 different species.