Birding was a bit tough today, not because of weather (cool, but pleasant) or insects (modest), but because of low numbers of both species and individuals. Our route stopped at East River Pool (ERP), entered the T Dike and passed the north end of Mounds #3, continued past the flap gates, made a counter-clockwise circumnavigation of Stony Bayou #2, and exited back to Lighthouse Road via the double dikes.
Great Horned Owls remain on what later will be an Osprey nest located between the Visitor Center and ERP. Fellow volunteer Alex watched some intrigue between an imm. Bald Eagle and the Owls prior to the trip. The Eagle was hanging around near the nest, and an owl was hooting nearby. The owls apparently held their ground.
ERP - Water level has noticeably dropped from its already low level. Flamingo, no. Nine Avocets flew in and fed fairly close; the Caspian Tern was on its favored log just left of the leaning white post, but then took flight directly toward us and gave everyone a good view of its dark primaries on the underwing; Wilson's Snipe, many Green-winged Teal, and the adult male Vermilion Flycatcher.
North end of Mounds #3 - Water level is also very low here and birds were scarce. A lone Avocet, an unsatisfactory look at a Spotted Sandpiper flying away, two very distant White Pelicans, and a thin smattering of expected herons and egrets were about it.
Stony Bayou #2 - Again, very low water levels. Fair numbers of Blue-w and Green-w Teal, a few Bufflehead, and good numbers of Hooded Mergansers. Four species of ducks total for today. A couple of Glossy Ibis (no Wh-faced today), one each calling Sora and Virginia Rail. The last leg of the trip provided some blessed relief from the paucity of birds. On the the north levee of SB #2, the adult female Vermilion gave everyone decent looks, and a Bald Eagle was watched feeding a chick on the nest north of the west end of SB #2.
Matt