Rey Wells, Kathy Carter, Will Carter, Lucille Lane Trip Leaders: Jim Meyer and Eileen Riccio.
It was a magical morning along Black Point Drive at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Early in the drive, we enjoyed a few Bonapart Gulls that swam among some Northern Pintail ducks. The distance and lighting were not favorable for taking a photograph.
About halfway through the drive, we came upon a pair of Reddish Egrets close to the road and with the sun shining on them. The one in the front has a small fish in its bill. All told, five Reddish Egrets were seen. Late in the drive, we came upon a small roadside pool with a feeding frenzy taking place. The diners consisted of Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Little Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, White Ibis, a Snowy Egret, and a Glossy Ibis. In the photo Jim Meyer can be seen at the upper right as he exited the car to begin his own frenzy – with his camera.
We did manage to see 5 Reddish Egrets, 7 duck species (Mottled, L. Scaup, B-W Teal, Ruddy, N. Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, N. Pintail), W. Pelicans, Royal/Caspian Terns, and many Black Skimmers, Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, Pie-billed Grebe, Belted Kingfisher, A. Avocets, and Loggerhead Shrike.
We finished the day with a great late lunch at the Pier 220 Restaurant, which is almost under the tall bridge across the Indian River. We did yield 50 species for the trip. Photos Courtesy Rey Wells, Jim Meyer
