Return to CWA - Ft.Myers Beach

I have a friend in town and we decided to go and re-visit CWA and hopefully catch sight of the Oystercatcher. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day and a peaceful environment.

We noticed right away that the Black Skimmers are still quite active raising their families and it's interesting to watch the different stages of the chicks.

Here's an adult with his fresh catch - soon to be fed to its chicks.

Father and son chilling on a Saturday morning.

3 siblings hanging out.

Everywhere you look, the Black Skimmers are there - some of the older chicks are starting to make their way onto the beach and leaving the roped off area for the younger fellows.

We walked further down the beach and found our beloved Oystercatcher - still sitting on its nest, no chicks yet.

Mom was busy cooling off and having a bite to eat.

On our way back we noticed a youngster getting a speech about trying those new wings out.

"Oh, I just don't know if I'm ready"

"Don't push me".

"I'm still thinking about it".

In the meantime, the younger chicks are feeling their own oats and growing up as fast as they can.

Wanting to know when breakfast is coming.

An adult female Snowy Plover - she was banded as an adult by Brad Smith on 3/31/09 during breeding season. Her serial # on the aluminum federal band is 8021-19873.

And then the nice surprise of the day - 7 Marbled Godwits were present!

Aren't they adorable?

A nice comparison of the Godwit with the Willet.

I never get tired of watching these guys, they are truly spectacular.

CWA

A visit to CWA in Ft.Myers Beach was calling my name, it had been a while since my last visit - quite a few chicks have since been born and fed....come and take a look.

When I got there - the sun was rising and the moon was still up.

The little Sandpiper called my attention

he then shared a little secret.....that he likes to

pretend that he's a Roseate Spoonbill.

After watching him for a while, I moved on further to the beach to observe the Black Skimmers with their families.

The Skimmers are within a roped off area and apparently they claim more room outside of the assigned boundaries as well...

and they feel free to let you know.

The Wilson Plover had their own families on the beach too.

A little bit further the Estero Lagoon is appealing to a lot of wildlife - this Roseate was resting peacefully.

The Willet was pretty vocal as I walked by,

the Great Blue Heron on the other hand was as quiet as a church mouse.

Here was my go-to bird today....an American Oystercatcher,

settling down to start a family.

The quiet observer by the lagoon.

It was entertaining to watch him as he took some cool break from the hot sun.

Still observing.

The mate flew in and they had a little chit-chat about the status of the eggs and

off they went to their own business, the female taking over the duties...while the male

took a refreshing dip.

and that's "my end" he said.

As I made my way back, I spotted some of the Least Tern chicks.

and the Black Skimmers chicks too.

Bringing fish and feeding the little ones is a full time job.

I walked back across the bridge, feeling full with spirit and smiling while observing the stingrays and dolphins swimming by.....a great birding morning this was! 

 

 My E-bird List for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19096138