RCW watch at dawn
So… what bird does the man who has probably banded more Red-cockaded Woodpeckers than anyone alive choose as the first bird for our Big Year? The RCW of course. To make sure that is truly was the first bird seen, we got up at 5:30 to drive to the Wakulla side of the Apalachicola National Forest. There, we waited in the dark focusing on a cavity entrance, until it was light enough for the little guy to do a bit of pecking maintenance on his cavity, fly out to a nearby tree, and call to his mate. We couldn’t help hearing a Barred Owl, and stumbling upon an American Robin and Brown-headed Nuthatch on our way back to the van; 4 quick birds and on to planned stop number 2.
Stop 2 had to be the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to being one of the top birding hot-spots in the country, we have history here. It was here that Chuck and I, as co-workers, carpooled with the intention of meeting friends at the St. Marks Lighthouse. Running late, we met our friends on their way out of the refuge, and agreed to meet them back at Chuck’s house after a quick dip in the water. Fate intervened and it started to rain, making the pavement slick enough so that when the road turned, we did not, and slid into a tree. Since it was now dark, with no one left in the refuge, and with no transportation, there was no choice but to walk the 5 miles out. Five miles of talking and singing every song from every musical we knew. 34 years later, we walked the refuge as joyfully as we did that first day, though a wee bit less lustfully.
The Willifords at St. Marks Wildlife Refuge
January brought quite a few birders to the refuge. At an overlook, we ran into the Willifords from Monticello, who did their big year in 2012.
Eight hours, 5 miles, and 71 species later, we went home together… again.