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.
Back in January, the park was teaming with Roseate Spoonbills who were settling in for the winter. Now it’s May, and only a few Roseate youngsters are hanging around the park.
These little grey-and-white birds never seem to sit still for very long – preferring to flit about as they look for a fish or shrimp to catch from a pond, river or lagoon.