40 species and 5 Avocets at Ding Darling NWR!

Saw on Facebook a report of American Avocets (Recurvirostra Americana) at Ding Darling NWR.  Though not really a rara avis they are an unusual winter sighting here in SW Florida, so we thought it worth braving the congested Ft Myers traffic with the hope of spotting some.  We were not disappointed and had a great birding day at the refuge.

American Avocet Wiki link

The refuge is located on Sanibel Island, near Ft Myers and is 5200 acres of migratory bird paradise.

Ding Darling NWR Wiki link

The refuge is named after J Norwood Darling, conservationist and Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist.  "Ding" also designed the first Federal Duck Stamp in 1935.  The refuge visitor center has a wonderful diorama about Ding and a Duck Stamp Exhibit.

Duck Stamp Program

40 species is a great birding day, plus a super view of 5 very cooperative Avocets.  Here are some of the birds we saw.

American White Pelicans (Pelicanus erythrorhynchos).

White Pelican All About Birds link

Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens).

Reddish Egret link

Lots of "peeps."  Willets (Tringa semipalmata), Dowitchers (probably Short Billed ((Limnodromus griseus)) ), and a few Dunlins (Calidris alpine).

Field identification of Dowitchers

Lots of mangrove forest at the refuge....with some birds to see.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea).

Night Heron link

White Ibis (Eudocimis allbus).

All About Birds link

Another great feature of the refuge!  Volunteer roving interpreters who show visitors where to see birds.  Here is Paul McKenny who is a talented photographer and knowledgeable birder.  It was a pleasure to meet Paul who shared some photography tips and birding lore.

Volunteer at Ding Darling NWR

Tricolor Heron  (Egretta tricolor).

Tricolor link

Avocets, Willets, Dowitchers, Reddish Egret, Dunlin....and maybe a Western Sandpiper!  WOW....what a sight.

Hey...don't forget me!  Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus).

Cormorant link

All five Avocets and friends....just what we came to see.

A 40 species day for my wife's Birder Journal!  Thanks Ding Darling NWR.

Lots to learn about birding, mangroves, ecology and life from new friend and roving interpreter, Iver Brook  (retired Marine Ecologist, WWII B-17 crewman, birder and super representative of the refuge).  Be sure to plan a visit and look for Paul and Iver...you will have a great day.