Our annual trip to Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Green Cay Nature Center did not disappoint. Eleven birders and photographers observed a total of 64 species. At Wakodahatchee, Wood Stork, Double-crested Cormorant, Anhinga, Great Blue Heron and Green Heron were nesting right by the boardwalk, allowing for great views and photos.

We observed multiple adult and one immature Black-crowned Night Herons roosting in trees. It’s always a good birding day when you can locate a secretive bittern, and one American Bittern obliged by “hiding in plain sight” near the boardwalk. A Wilson’s Snipe was a first seen at this location for many in the group.

At Green Cay, numerous Painted Buntings were enjoying the feeders as we approached the center. Roseate Spoonbills caused considerable excitement as everyone was pleased to see the big beautiful pink birds foraging in the shallow water, sweeping their bills side to side. In addition to the expected wading birds, we were able to observe a nice variety of warblers including Pine, Palm, Prairie, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped, Black-and-white and American Redstart. We ended the day with a tasty lunch at Sweet Tomatoes.

Full checklists for Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Green Cay Nature Center are available in eBird.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands/Green Cay Nature Center. March 6, 2019: Total of 64 Species

Ducks: Black-bellied Whistling Duck; Blue-winged Teal; Mottled Duck

Grebes: Pied-billed Grebe

Pigeons and Doves: Rock Pigeon; White-winged Dove; Mourning Dove

Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Cranes and Rails: Sora; Common Gallinule; American Coot; Purple Gallinule; Gray-headed Swamphen; Limpkin

Shorebirds: Wilson's Snipe; Solitary Sandpiper; Black-necked Stilt

Pelicans, Cormorants and Allies: Wood Stork; Anhinga; Double-crested Cormorant

Wading Birds: American Bittern; Great Blue Heron; Great Egret; Snowy Egret; Little Blue Heron; Tricolored Heron; Cattle Egret; Green Heron; White Ibis; Glossy Ibis; Roseate Spoonbill; Black-crowned Night-Heron

Vultures: Black Vulture; Turkey Vulture

Hawks: Osprey; Cooper’s Hawk; Red-shouldered Hawk

Owls: Eastern Screech-Owl

Kingfishers: Belted Kingfisher

Woodpeckers: Red-bellied Woodpecker; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Downy Woodpecker

Flycatchers: Eastern Phoebe

Shrikes and Vireos: Blue-headed Vireo

Jays and Crows: Blue Jay; Fish Crow

Swallows: Northern Rough-winged Swallow; Purple Martin; Tree Swallow

Wrens and Gnatcatchers: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Mimids and Starlings: Gray Catbird; European Starling

Blackbirds: Red-winged Blackbird; Boat-tailed Grackle