You went where? Yes the calendar said Merritt Island NWR, here's the story: As always Gert and I headed down to Merritt Island the day before only to find that the bridge, out of Titusville, was closed for repair. After talking with the repair crew we found that the north entrance was open but that was 45 miles up and out and then back down to the wildlife drive and visitors ctr. We spent half a day finding new directions for the club to meet us on Thursday and then on to scout for peep's. It goes downhill from here! The walk behind the visitors ctr. was closed, 4 of the dike roads were closed and the wildlife road was like a desert. Major drought has dried up 75% of all the water and not left mud flats but cracked soil, it's the saddest thing I've ever seen at my favorite place to bird in Florida. Sure hope the migrating birds find another place to stop for refueling. Anyway, we headed back to The Villages, met the folks at Belk's the next day and headed to a new venue just west of Inverness. Now you know "the rest of the story".

Twelve disappointed, Merritt Island bound birders, walked beautiful trails in mixed habitat at Potts Preserve. We will see Potts on next falls calendar! A very hot day but great sightings of Summer Tanagers, Swallow Tailed Kites and a Great Horned Owl chick in the nest, followed by a fun lunch on the banks of the Withlacoochee River at Turner's Fish Camp

Birds Seen Today:
Wood Duck, Northern Bobwhite, Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, White Ibis, Wood Stork, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Swallow-Tailed Kite, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Common Moorhen, Sandhill Crane, Great Horned Owl, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-Eyed Vireo, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Parula, Palm Warbler, Summer Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-Winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark And Boat-Tailed Grackle



Birds Heard Today:
Barred Owl, Red-Eyed Vireo, Fish Crow, Tufted Titmouse, House Wren, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher And Common Yellowthroat

Next up:
Gatorland - Rookery, Wednesday April 26, 2006, meet in front of Belk's at 7:45. Our group rate for Gatorland is $15 each ( a savings of $5) and will be collected in the parking lot. This is a new venue for the club, and chicks, eggs, and dances will be up close and personal. The boardwalk at Gatorland is a chosen place by many of Florida's wading birds for their nursery. See you on Wednesday!

Reminder: Club meeting tomorrow, 9am, Mulberry Rec. Ctr. Norm Lantz presents a seminar on "Introduction to Gulls and Terns".