The Little Nuthatch — merritt island nwr

My favorite thing about Merritt Island right now is the Green Heron's nesting in the mangroves. There are also Boat-tailed Grackle's with chicks in the nest, and a pair of Eastern Kingbird's building a nest last time I was there. At this point you can see all ages of Green Heron's there. Some are still sitting on the nest, others have little fuzzy heads poking out, while various sizes of chicks perch on branches.  

Knowing I was getting out of work early today, all I could think about was finally getting in some bird watching time! So despite the dreary clouds looming overhead I got in my car and was off to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, picked up breakfast at Sunrise Bread Co. and was on the beach by 10:30. Found this beautiful Prairie Warbler on the dune. Unfortunately, also discovered the return of mosquitoes. BIG TIME. Rushed back to car! Green Heron   Great Blue Heron Eventually it did start to rain... Black-necked Stilt. Love their legs.   Roseate Spoonbills in the...

From Merritt Island last weekend... Snowy Egret   Cattle Egret   White Ibis   Roseate Spoonbill   American White Pelicans   American Avocets   Great White Heron   Great Blue Heron   Sora   Eastern Kingbird

Last weekend while birdwatching I saw two firsts, one was a Northern Gannet, the other a Sora. It's easy for me to have firsts since I haven't been birdwatching seriously (actually IDing birds) for very long. I think I may have been lucky to see the Sora though, as it was really hiding...   Others from the day... Osprey   Northern Flicker   Savannah Sparrow   Wilson's Snipe Red-winged Blackbird   Gorgeous thistles very busy with butterfly and bee action!

The birds are beautiful out in their breeding plumage. From Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on Friday... White Morph Great Blue Heron (Great Egret has black legs.) Snowy Egret Great Blue Heron...bad hair day? Juvenile White Ibis Tri-colored Heron