A unique evening of birding began when 13 participants were met in the Teague Hammock parking lot by a friendly Red Junglefowl chicken. A Red-shouldered Hawk carrying food alerted the group to the presence of a nearby nest with a chick.

As we caravanned along Germany Canal Road, we passed groups of herons, egrets and Roseate Spoonbills feeding in the roadside canals; a single Western Kingbird was seen briefly perched on a utility wire. As we walked along the berm of the Reservoir, the group was treated to views of resident Crested Caracara and Swallow-tailed Kites recently returned from their wintering grounds in South America.

The excitement built as sunset approached. Literally hundreds of birds began flying in to roost for the night in the Reservoir. Group after group of White and Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Anhinga, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Little Blue Heron soared overhead before landing and seemingly disappearing in the vegetation. Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds provided a constant serenade for the spectacular sunset. As the light was disappearing from the sky, a murmuration of 1,000+ Tree Swallows swirled overhead for one final exclamation point on the evening.

A complete checklist of the 40 species observed is available in eBird.

Photos by Steve Brookens. Additional photos by Lorraine Morecraft are posted to the St. Lucie Audubon Society Facebook page. Field trip report prepared by Doris Brookens.