Merritt Island

American avocets

      Merritt Island is one of the most popular birding sites in the state of Florida if not the entire east coast.  Originally created as a buffer zone for NASA's Cape Canaveral, it has become a magnet for migratory waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, raptors and more.  Early in the development of the space center, the mosquito problem of a southern wetland had to be addressed to meet the needs of the many people who were going to be working at the site.  A series of impoundments in which the water levels could be controlled were built to make the environment less hospitable for the biting insects.  As a byproduct of this development, the area became a haven for the birds and birders alike.

Little blue heron

     An 8-mile drive around known as Black Point Drive has become the center of attraction in spite of the fact it only occupies a small percentage of the entire acreage of the National Wildlife Reserve.  The canals, wetlands, and ponds hold a wide variety of migrating and resident birds.  The herons and egrets symbolise this most beautiful and productive habitat.  Immediately upon entering the drive, we were treated to a fine assemblage of Little blue herons, Great blues, White ibises, Tricolored herons, Snowy egrets, and Great egrets.

     The mosquito control program has made the area delightful to visit during the winter months.  The birds have more than enough food to eat owing to the abundant fish, reptiles, small mammals, and other insects that thrive in the reserve.  While many of the birds are found across that large impoundments and necessitate the use of a scope, many are close to the dirt roadway and are easily and seen and photographed with basic equipment and the naked eye.

Roseate spoonbill

     For a birder from the north, many of the species found here will rarely if ever be seen in the northern latitudes of the country.  Roseate spoonbills, Anhingas, Loggerhead shrikes, Wood storks, and Reddish egrets are examples of these local species.  All of the above are seen on a regular basis here at Black Point.  The Reddish egrets are always entertaining as they dance through the shallows trying to scare up a meal.

Reddish egret

     The impoundments here are always an attraction for waterfowl and those of us who wish to see and photograph these migratory birds.  We certainly were treated well today with huge flocks of Red-breasted mergansers, the southern specialty Mottled duck, Pintails, Ring-necks, Blue-winged and Green-winged teal, an occasional mallard (nowhere near as common down here as back north), Ruddy ducks, and more.  The image below shows a very large mixed flock of Pintails and American wigeons.  

     I'll end up this instalment with a photograph of one of the most elegant of the avian world the American avocet.  What a beautiful chorus line they make as they all work the layer of the water just below the surface in unison in search of small crustaceans.  One of the great things about these birds is that they prefer open water making the job of the photographer so much easier!