St. Augustine, FL
October 28, 2015
Fort Mose (Moh-Say) Historic State Park is a 40 acre waterfront historic site with picnic areas, one observation and birding boardwalk, a kayak launch, and a visitor center.
Although none of the earth and wooden structures remain, visitors can still view the land where once a legally sanctioned free African settlement was.
In 1994, this site was designated as a National Historic Landmark and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
After our history lesson, we were off to the birding boardwalk.
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| There was only one other person there this day. There is a turn in the boardwalk just ahead of the birder. That is where we saw the wood storks. I was thrilled! My first sighting of this magnificent creature. |
There were four wood storks in the tree fairly close to the boardwalk.
Wood Storks are large, white, bald-headed wading birds of the southeastern swamps.
These are the only stork breeding in the United States.
Their late winter breeding season is timed to the Florida dry season when its fish prey become concentrated in shrinking pools.
That is important because a couple with two fledglings can eat over 400 pounds of fish during a single breeding season.
They stand nearly 4 feet tall with a wingspan of about 5 feet.
For over 30 years the wood stork was on the Endangered species list. An estimated 20,000 breeding pairs dropped to roughly 5,000 pairs from the 1930s to the 1970s. In 2014 they were upgraded to a Threatened Species with as many as 9,000 breeding adults reported.
Wood storks are quite social...they feed in flocks and nest in large rookeries with several pairs in a single tree.
HAPPY TRAILS!
(or, "The End" as Judy would say!)
Wood storks are very interesting, but they sure aren't the prettiest birds alive, in my opinion. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree...I'm not sure why they have to have a bald head. I was so hoping to get a wingspan which almost happened, and my picture was a little fuzzy. The birder that was there said the water level was higher than he had ever seen it so there were none wading either.
DeleteGay, congratulations on your first sighting of a Wood Stork! It is always so exciting to see a first. What a great grouping of them especially in the trees. Enjoyed the "facts" you posted about them. Great series of photos! The Little Blue Heron and the Snowy Egret are so cute.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheila. I had fun researching and learning about them. The little Blue Heron and Snowy Egret were the first two birds I saw as they were perched on the rail across from each other.
DeleteWhat a great birding area! You saw really beauties:) Super photos! I must say the Wood Stork isn't the most attractive bird. John said it looks like it has two different body parts that belong to two different birds:) We saw our first Wood Stork in the Everglades.
ReplyDeleteThey aren't very attractive, that's for sure. Wish I had seen a full wingspan with the black band of flight feathers.
DeleteWow amazing photos, don't think we have ever spotted them, but then year ago I did not pay attention to the birds very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks George...I sometimes think about all the years I didn't pay attention to birds and nature too. Not gonna beat myself over the head about it now...just enjoy while I can!
DeleteWhat an incredible opportunity to see those unique birds! Lovely shots of all the birds and that gorgeous setting.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen an active rookery? We have once, in Prescott, a rookery of cormorants. It was amazing and sounded like a jungle full of monkeys!
Thanks Lisa. It is a beautiful place.
DeleteWe did have the great opportunity to see an active rookery in Tucson of all places. Great Blue Herons were breeding on a small island in Silverbell Lake at Christopher Columbus Park. So amazing to watch.
I think those wood storks are amazing. I've never seen them before. Great photos and I agree it would be fun to watch all the birds.
ReplyDeleteThey really are amazing Jeri! Joe had to drag me away...
DeleteOutstanding photos of those incredible birds!!! How fun to spend time with them.
ReplyDeleteWow, how fun, you got to see all these birds that I would be missing this winter. Great captures, I wished i had your lens :) Gay.
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