Post by asilidman on Jul 17, 2013 19:46:09 GMT -6
We visited Big Lake NWR and their Moist Souls Unit today. On Hwy 18 heading east from Manila you pass the turn to the headquarters building, cross the long bridge, and immediately at the end of the bridge turn left and ahead you will see the new bridge into the moist soils unit. The new bridge is done and you can drive over it and park at the boardwalk/observation deck. If you take the left hand (westward) track (the track circles the moist soils unit) you can start looking for the Coppers as soon as you can see the water (now mud mainly) to the right of the track. We saw them today beyond the smelly fish die-off area (the msu is being drained for some vegetation control). They seem to like the Persicaria which is plentiful there. We saw a total of 4, perhaps 5 along the first 1/4 mile of the track. They were all very new looking. We didn't walk up the right hand side of the unit as it was so hot but we have seen them along there in past years too. There are Broad-winged Skippers in the emergent vegetation along the water, We see them immed. after the new bridge, on the left, and also further along the track on the lake side.
There were large numbers of Gt. Egrets and two Spotted Sandpipers along the muddy channels there and a bonus Painted Bunting singing away out at Timms Point.
The NWR has a nice new visitor center. Call in and tell them why you are there if you go.
Cheryl Lavers
There were large numbers of Gt. Egrets and two Spotted Sandpipers along the muddy channels there and a bonus Painted Bunting singing away out at Timms Point.
The NWR has a nice new visitor center. Call in and tell them why you are there if you go.
Cheryl Lavers
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