New
River Wetlands Project
May
25, 2002
-
82-90
degrees
-
Henry Detwiler
Bob and I headed down to the New
River Wetlands to survey the late migrants and breeding
birds.
34
species (list follows at end
of page)
Click on
thumbnail pictures for full-sized shots.
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As part of our monthly survey, we gathered up our
gear and drove down to the Imperial Ponds. While Bob & I
were talking with Al Kalin at the site entrance, I heard the first
of ten Willow Flycatchers we would see that day. They were in
a variety of habitats: the bullrushes, the mesquites lining the
cliff, and along the New River.
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Willow Flycatcher |
Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Ducks in breeding plummage patrolled several of the
ponds. This male was on the first big one. |
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Green Heron |
Green Herons appear to be common breeders,
although we have yet to find a nest. We see about a dozen
every trip we take here. Also present are Least Bitterns,
but we heard only one on this visit. Great Blue Herons
sometimes fly by, but rarely settle in while we're around. |
The best birds of the day were a pair of Gull-billed Terns
that flew low over the ponds, scanning below for a tasty morsel.
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The water flows from one pond to another via culverts
--perfect habitat for all sorts of spiders.
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Snowy Egret
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Snowy Egrets use the ponds to feed, and are one of the
regulars. Other regular water-loving birds include American
Coots, Common Moorhens, and Double-crested Cormorants.
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This was the tail end of the migration, and we still located
several warblers and flycatchers. The Ash-throated
Flycatchers may breed in the area, but we don't see them at these
ponds unless it's spring time or fall.
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Ash-throated Flycatcher
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Killdeer |
We arrived at the Brawley Ponds at 10:30AM and
recorded many of the same species there. The baby American
Coots (photo below) were watching us from the edge of the reeds. |
American Coot chick
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