Least Tern

I had the opportunity to visit CWA in Ft.Myers Beach this morning with my friend Jewel - while we were there we were entertained by many of the families that are nesting at this time of the year, particularly the Least Tern.

The Least Tern is the smallest of an array of terns that nest on relatively open beaches in colonies.

The nest is a shallow scrape in the sand, to which bits of shell, wood or grass stems are occasionally added after incubation has begun. 2 or 3 beige to light olive brown colored eggs are incubated for 19-25 days.

The male and the female share duties throughout nesting and chick-rearing - small fish is brought to the chick for food.

A young chick.

An older chick with the parent.

A very young chick.

Chicks leave the nest at about age 2 d, well in advance of first flight at about 20 days

 

Red-Necked Phalarope

Oh Happy Days! I'm back on the field getting used to my old camera all over again and what better way to get some practice down with a lifer bird for me! It doesn't get any better than this.

We arrived at the southernmost part of Fort Myers Beach and I gathered up my gear with a big dose of hope to find a reported rare specie at that location.

From the top of the bridge I could see those two starfish leaving their leg prints behind as they headed back to the gulf.

The anticipation is building up and it is with great enjoyment that I would like to introduce to you.....the Red-Necked Phalarope (#245)

I had seen countless photos and read many statements about this bird making an appearance in Sarasota. I often thought of driving up there, yet I could not justify driving 4 hours to see one bird. Lucky for me, it made an appearance in my county - how thrilled I was when this opportunity to see it presented itself - again.

The Red-Necked Phalarope is a small wader (7-3/4") (smaller than a Least Tern by 2"). It breeds in arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory, and, usually for a wader, winters at sea on tropical oceans.

To see this bird here is quite unusual and a rare sighting - so I'm delighted to have been able to watch it as it fed on insects.

This bird did not sit still....forward, to the side and in circles.....on and on it went. The best way to describe this little fellow would be to say that he might be suffering from the result of having recently ingested a great dose of caffeine laced with sugar.

It was seen catching insects flying above the water surface, at one point it caught a bee and spit it out, probably not liking its bite.

The pond was rather quiet this morning, beside the Red-Necked Phalarope a Great Blue Heron and a Tricolored Heron were present.

On the human side - some of us got on our knees in order to get a better bird-eye's view. (Hi Bob!). In the photo you can see the Red-necked Phalarope which was pretty close to the edge and the Great Blue Heron on the far edge.

At one point the Red-necked Phalarope took maybe 60 seconds at the most to stop and to clean up its feathers.

Well, folks, all good things eventually must come to an end.....

and keep in mind that you'll never know where I'll turn up next.

 

CWA in August

I had heard of good sightings on Fort Myers Beach at the CWA (Critical Wildlife Area), and decided to take in the site with my friend Larissa, we were very happy campers.

This looked like a really promising watch and it was!

A couple Semipalmated Plovers with a Western (?) Sandpiper.

I introduced this Marbled Godwit to my friend and shared with her that its bill points upward to God's world, she liked that.

I had to take a double look when I saw those Reddish Egrets - the immature ones (3) took me for a loop as I'd never seen them without the red/brown neck.

let alone see one take a bath chess deep!

More Black Skimmers in flight.

It's always a good idea to take a closer look because you just never know what you will find amidst the majorities - sometimes little surprises awaits.

These immature Black Skimmers are growing up so fast.

The Marbled Godwits amongst the Willets

Watch where you're going!

Aha! A Whimbrel, hanging out with the Laughing Gulls.

What a nice group!

Look at those two! A Marbled Godwit on the left and a Whimbrel on the right.....easy to get fooled when the bill is hidden.

Marbled Godwit.

Whimbrel wondering within the Black Skimmers and blending with the Willet in the background.

A Sanderling meeting.

A pod of dolphins going by.

Two adult White Ibis.

A Great Egret within the reflection of the palm trees - I've actually reversed this photo because - well - a palm tree upside down just looks funny to me.

The dolphins splashing their tails had our attention for 15 minutes - what a treat that was!

A young Black Skimmers fully grown now but still sporting his immature plumage.

Notice how 'grey' the Willets are compare to the Godwits.

More sanderlings.

The Whimbrel with Least Terns in the background.

The Marbled Godwit wished us farewell....

till the next time.

My E-Bird list for CWA - http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19362792