Natural History Wanderings

This past Saturday I went Birding at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Florida. When I first arrived the gate was closed. Two people who were just getting in their cars said that although the wetlands were officically closed due to work on the boardwalk it seemed OK to walk in. We did and had the area almost to ourselves as there were only two other people there.  It was very peaceful, the work seemed finished, and the birds were more comfortable with letting us get close. There were less total birds both in numbers and species than when I went last February. However, there were a number of species of Herons and  lots of Anhingas nesting.

Wakodahatchee means “created waters” in the Seminole Indian Language.  Wakodahatchee is 50 acres of utility land in Palm Beach County converted into  a recreation wetlands  with a three-quarter mile boardwalk.  It also serves as a natural filter for two million gallons of water a day.

Highlight of the day was a large alligator eating a turtle with a Turkey Vulture and White Ibis watching. Birds seen were Great White Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Tricolored Heron, Great Blue Heron,  Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Anhinga,White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Double-crested Cormorant, Wood Stork, Common Moorhen, American Coot, Turkey Vulture, Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebe and Osprey.

For a more complete bird list of birds that can seen there go to: The Birds of Wakodahatchee Wetlands.  Here are some of my better photos from the visit.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.