Knox-Marsellus continues to be the HOT SPOT!!  Hundreds of shorebirds, mallards and great egrets, a roseate spoonbill, sandhill cranes, juvenile peregrine falcon and least bittern to name a few. The least bittern was seen from Towpath Road along the east side of the cattails, very near Towpath Road. When we got to the north end of the cross dike between Knox and Puddler, I checked the trees along the north edge of Puddler for black crown night herons.  I didn’t see any night herons, but I did see the wood stork!! Holy Cow, I was not expecting that! When we returned to the East Road overlook we checked and we could see the wood stork from there with a scope and with bins. 

 

We got great looks at a juvenile peregrine falcon walking and almost jogging around, down on the mud. Then I noticed a large pile of feathers and concluded that the falcon must have recently had a meal and could have been burning off a few calories!! 

 

The beautiful swamp rose-mallow is plentiful and sometimes found in large patches in many areas.  In the Main Pool across from Benning Marsh there is some bladderwort.  It has lovely yellow flowers and is cool to note because it is a carnivorous plant!!

 

Remember to wear a mask in the Visitors’ Center and bring your insect repellent for hiking!!

 

Enjoy, be respectful and safe,