BirdPage by Cindy McIntyre, Waldoboro, Maine 

GREEN CAY WETLANDS - Boynton Beach FL   Jan -Feb 2008
In 2005 this farmland was converted into a wetland to help purify wastewater and provide habitat for birds and wildlife.  It is an example of both governmental and private recognition of the value of wetlands in Florida, which is currently in its second year of a drought.  http://www.pbcgov.com/waterutilities/waterfacts/green_cay.htm

March 17

Wilson's Snipe                                                                                                           Boat-tailed Grackle               Snail eggs

Rock Dove (regular ole pigeon)      Black-necked Stilt                                      Lesser Scaup pair

Cottontail Bunny                                                 Purple Gallinule

 

March 12

Common Moorhen chicks

These chicks were the oddest little space aliens I've ever seen, especially with their two "fingers" sticking straight out.

Limpkin Chicks - another set of two

This family of both parents and two chicks was near the visitor center

February 28

Great Egret and Half Moon               Roseate Spoonbill                                 Part of a large flock of tree swallows - juvenile on right

 
Migrating Tree Swallows - included many juveniles                            Purple Martins and a decorated house

Snowy Egret in Breeding Plumage          Catbird                                                    Water Snake swimming         Sora Rail

Female Boat-Tailed Grackle                                                 Female Red-Winged Blackbird      Palm Warbler

LIMPKINS - the Babies (Feb. 11)

There are 2 of the five original chicks left.  Mom tends to them while Dad looks for Apple Snails to feed them with.

 
Limpkins are reported to be secretive, but at Green Cay they pose within several feet of boardwalkers and photographers.  Their nighttime cry often irritates homeowners trying to sleep.  They are found only in Florida and dine mainly on Apple Snails (right)

SORA RAIL

A very small and secretive bird - and is very quiet when poking around in the vegetation, unlike moorhens and gallinules.

SNAIL KITE- Female
 

PURPLE MARTINS and WHITE PEACOCK BUTTERFLY -  Feb 5

One female and several male Purple Martins arrived to check out the birdhouses.   White Peacock Butterfly

BANDED WATERSNAKE

GATORS AND TURTLES

The ever-present alligators and Florida Red-Bellied turtles

BLUE WINGED TEAL

 
Both male and female Blue-Winged Teal have powder blue shoulder patches, which show in flight, or when stretching.

WOOD STORKS

As my friend says, it's a face only a mother could love!  They probe their bills deep into the mud and tamp with their feet
to dislodge yummies.

This stork worked on its nice, large fish for at least 10 minutes.  Don't know if it ever swallowed it or not, but it was getting rather mushy.          

HERONS

 
Green Heron                                               Little Blue Heron                                 When startled the LB Heron shows a crest

Juvenile Little Blue.  These herons seem so "big eyed" to me.  A Great Egret in breeding color (right) caught a minnow.

EGRETS

Great (American) Egret stalking.  Eye area turns a lovely lime green during breeding season.

MORE WATER BIRDS - stay tuned for more