After the Rain

Cyndi and I visited the refuge from about 0945-1400 today, not expecting, but hoping an unusual offshore species might be wandering post Cristobal. Fortunately, St Marks has much more to offer than strays from tropical storms.

Several inches of rain has changed where the birds are best found. The water levels inside all the pools are up considerably, and the south winds and very high tides are flooding the salt marshes.

The number of birds in Lighthouse Pool has dropped sharply, however, two young B-n Stilts can still be found with some effort in the NE corner; look for an adult being aggressive toward other birds to zero in on the location of the young.

The salt flats behind the lighthouse had resting terns and gulls, including one Common Tern and a couple of Sandwich. Also watch for Clapper Rails running out in the open and listen for the females calling, presumably for young (which we missed, but others have been seeing). Seaside Sparrows were popping up and singing. A Least Bittern made an unusually high and long flight over the salt marsh.

Stony Bayou #1 was the hotspot today. Unfortunately, the rain and tides pushed the water so high that many Least Terns that remained on nest may have been washed out; this also happened last year. The Wilson’s Plover chicks were far enough along that they probably just scampered or swam to high ground; certainly plenty of that species, young and adult to be seen today. A walk out the south double dike gave the best viewing – the birds were concentrated on the north shore (thanks to Sally and Dean for convincing us to walk the levee). In non-taxonomic order (IOW, how I remember things as I type): Am. Flamingo, 25 White Pelicans (all or most hatch year birds), 20 Black-necked Stilts in one resting flock, 10 Marbled Godwit, two White-rumped Sandpipers, a Dunlin, Semi-sands, S-b Dowitchers, Gr-Yellowlegs, Wilson’s, Semi-palm, and Bl-bellied Plover, Willet, two Reddish Egret (one each white and normal morph), a Black Tern, four Gull-billed Tern, Bl. Skimmers, male Greater Scaup. 

Seven species of tern today (eight if you believe Skimmers are terns), but couldn’t find a Caspian.   

Be aware that the levee between SB #1 and SB #2 is closed to entry due to construction; I believe some of the outer levee may also be closed, so you may want to call the refuge if you are planning a bike ride.