Roseates are back, making Orlando Wetlands more colorful
Roger Simmons,
I’m happy to report that a large number of Roseate Spoonbills have returned to the Orlando Wetlands for the winter.
Last year, there were Roseates everywhere at the Wetlands in January and February – but I had not seen nearly as many this year.
After not visiting the Wetlands for a couple of weeks, I went on Sunday, Feb. 11 and was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of Roseates. There still aren’t as many as last year, but there’s a good number of them — and hopefully they will start nesting there soon.
While the Roseates are one of the most colorful birds at the Wetlands, there were some others that were showing off their colors, too.
Roseate Spoonbill, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Roseate Spoonbill, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Roseate Spoonbill, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Roseate Spoonbill, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Roseate Spoonbill, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Roseate Spoonbill, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Great Egret, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Great Egret, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Great Blue Heron, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Great Blue Heron, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.Anhinga, Orlando Wetlands, 2024.Sandhill Crane on nest, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.American Alligator, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.
With the temperatures in Central Florida starting to rise as the birding season cooling down, I decided to make a Saturday morning trek to the nearby UCF Arboretum to look for some little birds.
I decided to make the most of what has been rare January sunshine and hit up both Orlando Wetlands and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Sort of a birding doubleheader. But I hit the Daily Double for these trips.