![Merritt Island NWR Merritt Island NWR](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t0y8nWK8TAiQCEUn3Z7ajTvlxAopNTawK3-37wkLdRhbLbbrehzk6NbMXtOUxq1k0Pdc-Wh9hzqWH1mmWgILEZmKW9slo1_Emc427HDKFi334K8w1vN448DvbwCDFpe0YfJTFCHCsScILQlENl3UcY8OLm5LQ=s0-d) |
Reddish Egret with American Avocets |
I had a pretty fun time at Merritt Island this morning. I saw a Horned Grebe at the causeway and then went to Blackpoint Dr. There was a significant number of shorebirds there: lots of American Avocets, Dunlin and Least Sandpipers, quite a few Black-bellied Plovers, and a few distant dowitchers and Red Knots. There were far fewer species of ducks than is normal this time of year: Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, and four Red-breasted Mergansers.
![Merritt Island NWR Merritt Island NWR](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vqETjdct4Hr8d56tc7tQGgt46EhX_mBOz4Bs2X80ioCJKlvxbiaSk1YQn153jaMGKS1PfAy2sJ3adhFmqiTmjCL97qAx-U0kOQTdBLe8aaFthctgJOF_vTWzGtzZowh0K1WPG2mfhNJQVYoM3eVhDO62cLYeRn=s0-d) |
Black-bellied Plover |
On the south side of the main road (west of the turnoff to Blackpoint Dr), there was a large number of wading birds, shorebirds and pelicans. At one point, a group of them flew, containing the most interesting species in the group. If I've counted right, this photo shows 11 Marbled Godwits, 5 American Avocets, 3 Dunlin and 1 Willet, though there were more of each species in the water.
![Merritt Island NWR Merritt Island NWR](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tn81iU2lVckvAYEYn8ODFsFUxDAv864jQcZTIQD9WUNa6lAgm9okLkaVr3p1uW8ItrVAsPu48ryeTt-BA7LyhyL2-V23YaqKUQv_Pg0Al71xUe1Un-Crgea31wItx1-iAN8LfkpUH13iJbsVaR-yE3Ejv3rJZU=s0-d) |
American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Willet, Dunlin |
The visitor's center was also fun. Painted Buntings are always nice to see, even at a feeder, and I also saw my first White-throated Sparrow in Florida, though this individual did not show itself well enough for photos.
actually the alligator is eating a brown pelican
ReplyDeleteyellow tip on its bill, brown feathering. It is actually a very light bird…about 6-12 lbs even though its wingspan is 6-8 feet.