Gatorland’s “Dawn to Dusk” extended hours program is now underway with the Rookery open every Wednesday - Sunday 7:30am to dusk now through July 31, 2010. Mondays and Tuesdays the Rookery will only be available during normal park hours (9-5). If arriving for early entry please park at the far south parking lot (look for the cream colored tent top) as we will be entering through that area. Please remember to be punctual, as we cannot keep the gate open past 7:45am. If arriving for dusk access, please plan on being at the park no later than 30 minutes before closing time (currently 5:00pm).

This past weekend (2/6 - 2/7) was our first under extended hours and despite the rather cool and breezy weather, the birds did not disappoint! At this point we have somewhere around 40 Great Egret nests, and they can be found displaying, courting, and nesting throughout the Rookery. Several Anhinga have also made nests directly across from the North Gazebo on the east bank, and Anhinga courtship activity is just now beginning to pick up. A pair of Limpkin are quite active throughout the day feeding on mollusks and calling back and forth. It looks like they have decided on using their same nest from the past few years, although they have been seen exploring some old nests from other birds. Small amounts of Snowies, Tricoloreds, Little Blues, and Cattles are available, and their numbers are increasing at dusk. While the Snowies are just beginning some limited courtship behavior, none of the other species have begun nesting. Of course, I’m not counting the Cormorants, as they nest all year-round, and while there are no Cormorant nests currently within the Rookery, they can be found in abundance over the South Alligator Island across from the Flamingos.

Flocks of White Ibis are still arriving by the hundreds at dusk, and at times the air is simply alive with activity as they fly around settling into their roosting spots. The Osprey are around and have been actively feeding, as well as a pair of Night Herons (a juvenile and an adult) flying about in the morning and late afternoon. We have had one young spoonbill posing along the East Bank and several fly-overs of more, but not much consistent Spoonie activity at this point. A couple of Glossy Ibis are also flying in at dusk normally roosting along the East Bank across from the North Gazebo.

Activity in the morning is pretty much limited to Great Egrets, Wood Storks, Anhinga, Limpkin, Great Blues and assorted songbirds as most of the roosting birds head out to their respective feeding areas. Late afternoon has the most activity as the roosting birds arrive, but regardless of when you choose to come, there is always something to see!

Mike Godwin
Gatorland

On Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Gatorland officially kicked off the 2010 Birding Season with the start of our extended hours “Dawn to Dusk” program. The Gatorland Rookery is now available for early entry at 7:30am every Wednesday - Sunday from now through July 31, 2010. Parking for early entry is at our far south parking lot where we will enter through the South Event Gate closest to the Rookery. We do ask that you please be prompt, as the gates do not remain open past 7:45am. Dusk access is also available every Wednesday - Sunday through July 31, 2010. We will exit the park through the south Event Gate (same place we enter for early entry), so if you are arriving for the afternoon you might want to park at the south parking lot.

Right now we have 3 species of birds nesting, Great Egrets, Cormorants, and Anhingas. The Cormorants are nesting on the South Alligator Island outside of the Rookery (across from the Flamingo Island). The Anhingas are nesting on the East bank directly across from the North Gazebo, while the Great Egrets can be found throughout the entire Rookery.

The Great Egrets have really started heavy this year, and already we have close to 40 nests within the Rookery. Courtship behaviors can be observed throughout the day, and the nest building activity is constant with the males bringing in sticks. Many nests have eggs, with a few already having 3 -4 pale blue eggs. The Snowy Egrets are slowly starting to increase in numbers, especially at dusk. I have noticed some courtship activity starting, so the Snowies will soon be joining the list of nesting birds.

The Limpkin have been actively looking around for nesting sites, and appear to have settled back at their old nest just before you reach the South Gazebo. This nest is not very “photo friendly” due to the foliage, or should I say branches. Most of the plants and trees are in winter mode, so the Rookery is looking a little bare in some areas. While there may not be leaves… there are still branches! The Limpkin can be found in the Rookery throughout the day, and if you talk to them nicely, they might even stop and pose for you.

Coming in early definitely has its advantages, as the lighting can be absolutely fantastic. The Great Egrets are in full breeding plumage and colors, and I find the early morning sun best to capture the sheer beauty of this bird.

The great thing about Gatorland is that the birds really don’t mind being watched or having their picture taken. Most of them act as if you aren’t there at all, which allows the bird watcher or photographer a rare opportunity to witness the bird’s behavior up-close and personal. All of the pictures in this post were taken with a 70-200mm lens (no teleconverter).

Dusk is my favorite time at the Rookery, mainly because of all the roosting birds that fly in to sleep over the gators. And I suppose there are a few more things you can do, like maybe take a picture of a sunset! So… what are you waiting for? Come on down and join the fun!!!

Mike Godwin
Gatorland