After making so many trips to the Orlando Wetlands, I thought it was time to visit the “other” man-made wetlands in our area – the Rich Grissom Memorial Wetlands in Viera.
I stopped by there last Saturday while birding in Brevard County. The Viera wetlands was closed for six months to remove muck and other vegetation from its ponds. It partially reopened in March, but it’s still not fully open.
The small part that I did see was impressive – a great pond with lots of wading birds and a rookery for egrets and herons. An adult and juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron flew overhead, and a pair of Roseate Spoonbills were hanging around. (The last one had left the Orlando Wetlands weeks ago.)
There were a lot of Great Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons and even a family of Black-necked Stilts with adults and chicks. A Least Tern even flew around the pond fishing.
That’s a lot of bird diversity in such a small space – and its was surprising to see this time of year.
I’ll definitely return in the future.
Adult and juvenile Tricolored Heron, July 2024, Viera Wetlands. Young bird is pestering its parent for a meal.Adult and juvenile Tricolored Heron, July 2024, Viera Wetlands. Young bird is pestering its parent for a meal.Adult and juvenile Tricolored Heron, July 2024, Viera Wetlands. Parent has had enough and is trying to get away from junior.White Ibis, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Great Egret, Snowy Egret and juvenile White Ibis, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Great Egret, Snowy Egret and juvenile White Ibis, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Least Tern, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Roseate Spoonbill, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Roseate Spoonbill, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Great Blue Herons (a lot of them in one spot), Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Black-necked Stilt family, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Black-necked Stilt chicks, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Black-necked Stilt parent and chicks, Viera Wetlands, July 2024Black-necked Stilt chick, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.Black-necked Stilt chick, Viera Wetlands, July 2024.
I woke up fairly early and decided to head to the Orlando Wetlands. It was a cool, cloudy morning – but apparently I was in a fog. I was so disappointed in my photos I had to go back again later and try again.
I was getting ready to photograph some Mallards, when an adult male Bald Eagle swooped in to do some hunting. Suddenly, a second Bald Eagle appeared. Then the battle started.