I went birding yesterday in farm country west of Fort Myers. I found two farm fields side by side which yielded dramatically different bird species. The difference between the two fields was habitat. The first field was quite wet, bordering on wetlands qualities, which encourage Limpkins to forage in search of Apple Snails. The next field over was much dryer and had both Long Horned Cattle and Cattle Egrets. While the cattle ate the field’s grasses, the Cattle Egrets stayed close to their larger bovine friends. The cattle scared up tasty morsels for the egrets … insects and other food upon taking steps to new locations.

Cattle Egrets and their Partners in Foraging Crime!

Limpkins Looking for Apple Snails

As I got ready to leave the backroads, I drove along a drainage ditch which I assume is full of water most of the year. In this sequence of images in addition to all the Woodstorks, you will be able to spot Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Great Blue Herons. This was obviously where breakfast was being served!

Apparently it is -22F at home in NE Minnesota (not including windchill). Thus I had better not complain about the cool weather in southern Florida. However given rain and 50F to started the day, I decided I needed to bird near the car. I can handle drizzle, but I do not like getting wet.

My first stop was West Harns Marsh, and in between drizzles I found two more Snail Kites, but waaaay out in the marsh.

Snail Kite

A few minutes away is Harns Marsh where my lifer occured …

Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks (Cornell link)

In life, if you can’t be good, be lucky!

I had decided based upon research that I needed to bird West Harns Marsh. Most birders, including me tend to bird the main Harns Marsh location. West Harns Marsh doesn’t have a real parking area, and only a small gate through which to access the the trail next to the marsh. However, signs make it obvious you are welcome on foot, and the access point is right across the road from the Lee County Sheriff’s Shooting Range. The 25 patrol cars parked across the road told me security would be a non issue at this location. Thankfully, the gun range is an indoor one. Thus, any gunfire retorts are very faint.

After I was getting to leave after a hike along the marsh, one birder did show up. He was visiting from the Seattle area, and had driven 3+ hours in the hopes of seeing a Snail Kite. I thought I should join his effort, and within a few minutes … jackpot! This raptor eats only freshwater snails and its range only overlaps into the United States in Florida.

Snail Kite

Loggerhead Shrike (hunting the grasslands next to the marsh)