Birdwatching at Lake Hollingsworth-June 1st

Lake Hollingsworth Mallard

Dan and I finally got a chance to go birdwatching on Tuesday. It is the first time in awhile since we have been out and about here in Polk County, FL. We loaded the cameras, binocular, and of course something to feed the critters with. The only place around here we do that is at Lake Hollingsworth and Morton in Lakeland. So we chose Lake Hollingsworth as our main destination.

As we ride, I start my list of what we see. On the ride over there I spotted Fish Crows, Sandhill Cranes, a Great Blue Heron, some Ospreys at their nest, a White Ibis, about 20 Cattle Egrets checking out some cows, two Mourning Doves, four Boat-tailed Grackles and a Blue Jay. If we saw nothing at the lake, I would have been content with those.

Great Blue Heron at Lake Hollingsworth

We spent about an hour looking around and feeding the gang. It was around 79° and mostly clear. A nice day. Near the parking lot is where the hungry beggars hang out. Waiting! I was surprised to see most of them snoozing. Pull out treats, and they come alive. After feeding the Mallards, White Ibises, Boat-tailed Grackles and a Gull, I did a short walk (legs weren’t working good) to the little dock where we watched a Great Blue Heron preening. I kept getting closer and closer, but he kept right on and only looked at me once. I got several videos of him.

We also observed a Green Heron for some time. Don’t see them out and about like this one. Looking at his coloration, we think he is most likely a juvenile.

The rest of the birds spotted were Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Anhingas, Ospreys, Blue Jays, and Common Moorhens with three babies. On the way back at the parking lot, six Geese were protecting a gosling.

Green Heron Lake Hollingsworth

We decided to do lunch in Bartow, but had some spare time before they opened so went to the Mary Holland Park there. 86° by then. It is a small park but we managed to see – Boat-tailed Grackles, Opreys, Cardinals, Blue Jay, Great Egret, Mourning Dove, three White Ibises, heard a Red-Shouldered Hawk and a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

All together we spotted or heard 22 species. Not bad for an easy birdwatching adventure. Trust you have a great adventure the next time you are out enjoying God’s birds that He has created.

So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:21 NKJV)

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