A Surprise at the Brandon Rookery
On my way to the Tampa Audubon Society meeting this week I made a short stop at the Brandon Rookery to see if there were any birds nesting yet. I wasn’t expecting much as one of the businesses that shares a border with the rookery (a car dealership) had cleared much of their property last year. Disappointingly, even more of that area had been cleared since my last visit, robbing birds of much needed nesting material. The rookery is on a precipice, and we are all waiting to see if it survives.
Brandon Rookery. The birds nest on three islands in this pond. They gather nesting material by foraging in the woods along the shore of the pond. Unfortunately, though, the car dealership (the tan building) cleared all of the trees and brush on their side of the pond, placing the rookery at high risk for failure. iPhone 14 pano.
When approaching the pond, I saw about a dozen Wood Storks walking around on the banks of the pond. Then I saw something unexpected. A flash of pink. Looking closer, I could see it was a Roseate Spoonbill. I hurried back to my RV and grabbed my camera. I slowly approached to avoid flushing the birds, but the storks and the spoonbill could see me coming and it didn’t take long before they all took flight and sought safety on the islands.
Roseate Spoonbill. I was pleasantly surprised to see this Roseate Spoonbill at the rookery, as I’ve never seen one there before. Nikon Z8 with monopod-mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/9.0, 1/3200 sec, ISO 1600.
Roseate Spoonbill. The spoonbill was not happy with me, giving me an earful. Nikon Z8 with monopod-mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/8.0, 1/1250 sec, ISO 400.
I was pleased to see about 50 Wood Storks at the site. They seem to be pairing up and they were preening each other, so that’s a positive sign they may nest there again. I did not see any bringing in nesting material yet, but it’s still early.
Wood Storks. There were about 50 Wood Storks at the rookery, many preening each other from the safety of the rookery islands. Nikon Z8 with monopod-mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/10, 1/2000 sec, ISO 900.
There was also a Great Blue Heron (GBH) roosting in one of the islands and it was showing really nice breeding plumage. After I had been there for about 20 minutes, another GBH flew in giving a landing call. They were clearly a mated pair as they greeted each other with friendship.
Great Blue Herons. Greeting each other, the GBHs crane their necks, raise their crests, fluff their neck feathers, and give each other a “kiss.” Nikon Z8 with monopod-mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/3200 sec, ISO 1100.
Soon, the GBH’s got frisky. The male placed one foot on top of the female’s back, then grasped her neck as they began to mate.
Male Great Blue Heron mounting female. Nikon Z8 with monopod-mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/1600 sec, ISO 560.
Great Blue Herons copulating. Nikon Z8 with monopod-mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/1600 sec, ISO 560.
When it was over, the male flew to the shoreline, picked up a stick, flew back to the female, and gave it to her. This is behavior that they will likely repeat many times over the next few weeks.
Stick Transfer. The Stick Transfer sequence occurs when a male brings sticks to its mate. She performs the Stretch display and takes the stick. Nikon Z8 with monopod-mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/1600 sec, ISO 450.
It was encouraging to see the Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Storks, and Great Blue Herons at the Brandon Rookery. We cannot predict the ultimate fate of the rookery, but for now, the birds are showing positive signs. If we can just get the car dealership to stop clearing the shoreline! Sheesh.
Happy birding!
