East Beach turnaround to Bay Pier (2 1/2 miles)
Ft Desoto County Park
On this count we were looking for the 5 target bird species and any nests and/or chicks (Wilson's Plovers, Least Terns, Snowy Plovers, Black Skimmers, and American Oystercatchers). As usual, on this section of beach we rarely see any nesting of these species but we did see a few old friends.
Great Horned Owl
On our section there was one pair that nested and raised two chicks
These owls will eat birds ranging in size from smaller than fist-sized kinglets all the way up to our largest heron, the Great Blue, and will regularly eat other owls too.
Quite handsome in the rays of the morning sun
Snowy Egret
At the end of the 19th century, the beautiful plumes of the Snowy Egret were in great demand by market hunters as decorations for women's hats. In 1886, these plumes were valued at $32 per ounce, which was twice the price of gold at that time!
An adult in breeding finery with those gorgeous plumes (Photo was on Bird Island)
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