November 6 Report

Surprised by the better than expected weather, decided to bird the refuge, starting about 1000.

North end of Mounds #3 – walked in from the T dike and out to outer levee. Singles of Gadwall and Redhead, a few Am. Wigeon, and dozens each of Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, including the previously reported leucistic Bl-winged. A flock of 20 (exact) Plegadis included 15 Glossy and 5 White-faced. The flock was extremely active and bunched up, so I may have missed a White-faced.

Apalachee Bay – The combination of a 0956 low tide, recently past new moon, and stiff north winds had the tide WAY out; the salt water boat channel was not navigable by kayak. The downside is shorebirds were scattered hither and yon, the upside is it completely eliminated the dangerous nuisance of speeding vehicles pulling boats. An immature Herring Gull was the second I’ve seen this season since a very early bird a few weeks ago.

Tower Pond – With the tide as it was, Tower held four shorebirds of four species, one of which was the Am. Avocet that has been consistent recently at the south end of the pond. A gull-billed Tern flew in and around a bit before continuing off to the north.

South end of Mounds #3 – The extreme south end was totally empty, but thanks to a heads up from Don Morrow earlier, I continued north to the water control structure. Four Mallards, three males and a female (my FOS) were in the company of three Gadwall. Separate from this little group was a decent sized mixed flock of both teal, Am. Wigeon, and Gadwall.