Field Trip Report, Lake Okeechobee, June 9th, 2007
Lake O Trip List
Low Low Lake O- Video by Capt Phill
Despite a gloomy weather forecast, almost 20 participants enjoyed a beautiful day being led around the Northeast corner of Lake Okeechobee detailed map by Audubon of Florida Lake O expert Dr. Paul Grey. We met Dr Grey at our first stop, atop the Herbert Hoover Dike near the Locks at Port Mayaca, which is where the Okeechobee Waterway exits the Lake heading east. The reason we visited the Lake, not being prime birding time, was to have the drought ravaged Lake as a backdrop to Dr. Grey’s extremely enlightening explanations of the operation of the watershed, how it got to be in the state it is in, and corrective actions now being taken. You can go to Audubon of Florida to read the complete story, Lake Okeechobee 2007 Report: Everything in Harmony, Restoration Needs.
We stopped at an access point on the Northeast shore, as well as JC Park in Okeechobee where we had the unique experience of viewing a flock of Black-necked Stilts from an observation spot that would normally be under six feet of water! The cement cage looking items under the JC Park fishing pier are fish traps used to attract small fish to the pier - they in turn draw the larger fish which the fisherman desire. These, of course, should be under 6 feet of water too! Normal water height can be seen by the dark ring around the pylons just under the pier deck.
From JC Park we continued further west to Okeetantee Park, the point at which the Kissimmee River enters the lake. Because of a different topography, the effects of the low lake water level were much more obvious here. Dr. Grey explained that over 150 square miles of lakebed had been exposed on this shore alone. It is hoped that a positive side effect of this situation will be the reemergence of healthy aquatic plants, killed off as a consequence of past water management practices and hurricane effects. The Director of the Park joined us to explain how the drought has affected her, (boat ramps ˝ mile from the water, for example). She outlined plans for future development at the facility, including boardwalks through a hammock and marsh and an observation tower. Also joining us was a Bald Eagle (one of four seen) which made an unsuccessful fishing dive in to the Kissimmee River.
Although not present in the huge numbers that were seen just weeks earlier, we were treated to a flock of Black-necked Stilt, Bald Eagles and a mix of shore, wading and other birds. A total of 30 species were tallied. On the "heard but not seen" list was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
We wrapped up the day with a wonderful lunch at the Brahma Bull in Okeechobee, there saying goodbyes and parting ways. More Big O info.
There is an epilog: Chapter President Laurie Odlum and Field Trip Chair Bill Wolters visited Allapattah Flats, the newest Martin County Park, in Palm City north of 714 on the way back to Stuart. We were surprised at the number and species of birds we saw there, considering it was the middle of a hot day; one surprise was hunting Common Nighthawk. We were especially surprised by the large number of Eastern Meadowlark heard and seen, as well as a Northern Bobwhite, which was calling from a low perch on a Slash Pine branch not 15 feet from the vehicle. Interestingly, the New York Times had a lengthy article just days later describing the precipitous decline of these very two species. We are fortunate to have places like Allapattah right in our backyard! |
