fclife march2020

Our first Christmas Bird Count ( a tradition held all over the world ) was held Christmas morn- ing. There were two participants – myself and ROBERT CHAVKIN. We surveyed the back of both the south and north courses. We were able to identify 26 species and a total of 140 birds. The commonest species were the limpkin, the mottled duck, and the white ibis. We have added 2 new birds to the Frenchman’s Creek check list bringing the total to 75 differ- ent species. The marsh wren could be heard and seen in the reeds along the 15 th hole north. A blue grey gnatcatcher was seen in the trees along 16 north. There are many more small birds that pass through during migration but are hard to see and identify. We have added a section on birds at the beach. In our initial visit to the shore we were able to identify 8 species. I have seen many more in the past, and this section will be expanded in the near future. The osprey’s have returned to their nest off the ninth tee on the south course. Many of you have already seen them. The incubation period for their eggs is approximately 5 weeks. Hopefully we will begin to see the chicks around the beginning of May. March 20 th was a good day for birding. Sighted were a pileated woodpecker and a belted kingfisher. Yesterday a red winged blackbird.

BURTON GREENBERG – resident birdwatcher

Pileated Woodpecker

Red Winged Blackbird

Belted Kingfish

Marsh Wren

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