Even with the late-night and early-morning monsoon-like rains and four cancellations, the season's first bird walk was a tremendous success!
We missed Dale and Priscilla and their enthusiasm, as they were, and are, such an essential part of "bird life" in Vieques, but we managed thanks to their great mentoring and tutelage.
The three guests who braved the downpour (two on foot from Vermont (it must rain a lot there) and one from Maryland) had a great time, as did the VCHT Birding Team. Although wet and windy, there were smiles as we walked and drove from place to place, admiring our magnificent birds.This year, we "took flight" from a new location: inside the Sun Bay gate. There was plenty of parking but few birds, as it was raining hard and there was quite a bit of wind. You couldn't even see the top of the radio station tower at one point! Alas, there were no Caribbean Martins on their high perch this day.
Departing from our starting point, we stopped to search for a few Monk Parakeets, which were out for breakfast and then proceeded down the beach road toward the end of the bay. A few terns were lingering about, and the usual suspects, including Westen Cattle Egrets and some of their relatives (distant or not).
Upon our arrival at Sun Bay Lagoon (South Side), the conditions were satisfactory, and the hidden path was in good shape. However, the water levels were slightly lower, leading to abundant mud. There were a few birds about, mainly in the distance, but everyone got a "scope view" and enjoyed their time, even with occasional bouts of rain. The last walking stop was at the freshwater pond, which is always a treat. The trail needed some work, so going was slow, but we made it and enjoyed the cacophony of sounds from the Black Neck Stilts.
There were a few Yellow Legs in the pond, and the water level was about average for this time of year. The view across the bay was spectacular, as it always is.Two of our group left for breakfast as we exited, but the rest ventured out to peek at the "standing water" at the radio tower. What a treat, including some birds we couldn't identify even with the scope. It seems our shorebird skills are still a bit rusty, but with time, we will be back in shape with our eyes and ears focused on our flying friends. The horses loved interrupting our view as they sloshed about, and there was lots of talk about our birds.
We will host the Christmas Bird Count on January 4, 2025, and then five more bird walks for the VCHT this season. We look forward to them all and hope you will join us!
Mike, Marie, Chuck, Pinto, Theresa, and Olga. Please Support Our Work. We are a small team of volunteers who care about birds, the environment, and Vieques.
We don't charge for our bird walks or get paid for anything we do! All donations go directly to our "Bird Fund," which we use for avian conservation, research, and education.http://bit.ly/4gIRikEFor more information, please email us at vcht.birding.team@gmail.comImportant dates for this season include:
CBC - January 4, 2025VCHT
Bird Walk #2 - January 8, 2025VCHT
Bird Walk #3 - January 22, 2025VCHT
Bird Walk #4 - February 5, 2025VCHT
Bird Walk #5 - February 19, 2025VCHT
Bird Walk #6 - March 5, 2025
All bird walks start at 7:30 a.m. "just inside the main gate" at Sun Bay and last for approximately two to two and a half hours. To sign up or a Bird Walk event please visit our Bird Walk page: HERE
For more information, email us at vcht.birding.team@gmail.com
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