Rainy Weather did not Deter Birders

Though precipitation and wind marked the morning of Saturday, January 11, 20 people interested in local wildlife still came to the popular "Breakfast and Birds" program at Tigertail Beach, sponsored by Friends of Tigertail. An experienced birder, Fran Huxley, first explained methods of bird identification, looking at size, leg and feather coloring, bill characteristics, and behavior. The few members of the group willing to brave the elements were richly rewarded when they walked to the lagoon beach to practice identification skills as the rain abated and numerous bird species greeted them on the shore and flying overhead. Some of the interesting facts described were wing positions of different flying birds: downward for Pelicans, straight and flat for Eagles, and upward V shape for Vultures. An upright wading Snowy Egret surrounded by a group of feeding White Ibis with their heads lowered and beaks beneath the water perfectly illustrated the symbiotic relationship that different bird species have with each other. The Egret, a sight feeder, watched for predators and benefited from food brought to the surface by the Ibis. The tactile feeding Ibis combed the sandy bottom with their beaks, protected by the Snowy Egret. There was a dancing Reddish Egret and numerous shorebirds exhibiting their individual behaviors. The group even saw a Palm Warbler close to the dune vegetation, an unusual visitor to the beach. 

With so much information gained, the group looks forward to the next free Tigertail "Breakfast and Birds," scheduled for Saturday, March 15, at 10:00 AM. 

For more information about Friends of Tigertail and their activities  visit their Facebook page or website at FriendsofTigertail.com