JBWR

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge bakes in the summer sun, with only a few shady areas in the north and south “gardens” along the eastern edge of the West Pond trail, but there is so much wildlife activity out there right now it’s worth putting on a big hat and lots of sun-screen. I’ve been blogging recently about the things seen on trips out there. Some sights I didn’t get worthwhile pictures of: a fledgling Waxwing begging for food; a Great Egret snagging and swallowing some kind of snaky creature out of the bay; a Tricolored Heron waving its wings as it hunted; Glossy Ibises gliding into the grasses; Black Skimmers cutting through the water with their longer lower bills. Crows and raptors crossing the marsh lands are frequently intercepted by territorial Red-winged Blackbirds. This one in the distance was irritating an Osprey, which was right next to its own nest. There are four Osprey nests visible from the West Pond trail, two at the limits of one’s optics, but one with very good views of three youngsters. Only one has its head up at the moment.There’s lots of nesting and post-nesting activity going on.This nest box has a House Wren going in — but not via the front door; note the cut-out in the corner on the side.Here’s another House Wren on another box. That stick will not fit into the hole. And so many herons: Black-Crowned and Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Snowy and Great Egrets; Little Blue and Tricolored Herons. Haven’t see a Great Blue on recent trips… but one flew by the apartment recently.