La Chua Trail field trip
February 2015 |
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A small but intrepid group of bird watchers set off on this cool, rainy morning to see the wildlife on the La Chua Trail.
We watched wildlife from the shelters during an early shower and then moved down the trail during a break in the rain. Despite having our binoculars under our rain gear for much of the time, we saw at least 40 species of birds including the Wilson’s Snipe, White-crowned Sparrow and a Wood Stork.
We witnessed the life and death struggles between species, watching for approximately five minutes as an Anhinga speared a catfish and beat the fish against a log before finally subduing it enough to swallow it whole. We also observed a Great Blue Heron rookery near the Alachua Sink, with at least four of the big birds sitting on nests.
When a second rain set in, the group split in two, some turning back and the bravest venturing further down the trail to see what else could be found. We came back, damp but enthusiastic.
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