Beach crabbing, er, birding at Canaveral National Seashore
Roger Simmons,
Just before Hurricane Debby visited Florida earlier this month, I took at trip to the Canaveral National Seashore to do some pre-storm birding.
Conditions at Playalinda Beach were starting to deteriorate, with the wind and waves picking up and the clouds moving in. But I was able to see some cool shore birds – and even a ghost crab – on the beach.
Across from Playalinda at Eddy Creek, I came across a young Yellow-crowned Night Heron, some manatees frolicking in Mosquito Lagoon and some other fun finds.
I was surprised to find so many Barn Swallows along Joe Overstreet Road, but their early migration let me see just how different their appearance can be.
An early morning visit to Merritt Island delivered Roseate Spoonbills Wood Storks, Reddish Egrets, Great Herons, Osprey, Scrub-Jays and lots and lots of different ducks.