On a recent sunset trip to the wetlands, I saw many of the big pink birds busy gathering nesting material and flying it to prospective nesting spots. A person on the Orlando Wetlands Facebook page said that at least one nest was already occupied.
It was fun watching them break off twigs and sticks with their big spoon-shaped beaks. They use their wings as leverage when gathering larger nesting material – creating some really nice images of the beautiful birds.
I have to think the clock may be ticking toward the arrival of some little spoonies soon.
Roseate Spoonbill, nesting at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.Roseate Spoonbill, gathering nesting material at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.Roseate Spoonbill, gathering nesting material at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.Roseate Spoonbill, gathering nesting material at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.Roseate Spoonbill, gathering nesting material at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.Roseate Spoonbill, gathering nesting material at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.Roseate Spoonbill, looking for nesting material at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.Roseate Spoonbill, gathering nesting material at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.Roseate Spoonbill, looking for a nesting spot at Orlando Wetlands, January 2025.
While the birds seemed to be preparing for some upcoming stormy weather, I found out that others at the UCF Arboretum were going about their usual routines.
I drove almost 2 hours to a preserve in Hillsborough County to see my Eastern Bluebird. Little did I realize there was a family of Eastern Bluebirds about 15 minutes from my house at the UCF Arboretum.
The small part that I did see was impressive – a great pond with lots of wading birds and a rookery for egrets and other birds. An adult and juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron flew overhead, and a pair of Roseate Spoonbills were hanging around.
