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.
I saw my first Eastern Towhee at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge back in March, but I’ve seen many more send then at the UCF Arboretum. The scrub bush landscape there is perfect for these colorful orange and black birds.
I visited Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive this past Sunday knowing I would see a lot of different birds there but hoping to see one kind in particular: Barn Swallows.
