On Thursday, November 17, 2022, nine people had a wonderful time birding this gem of a wildlife park. This park is the only place in the world that grows algae on such a big scale. The group even got to see a worker “snow” plowing the algae off the pad with a rubber snow plow!

This facility is a perfect spot for birds. They are protected from humans by a fence. The water and habitat provide a diverse and safe place for the birds to live, eat, and breed. Alexsis Peralta is a wonderful tour guide and we were treated to a great morning of birding.

Over 35 species of birds were seen.Two hundred Least Sandpipers and Greater andLlesser Yellowlegs were observed on the cement water pad. Three species of warblers were observed: Yellow Rumps, Palms, and a Prairie. This is a diverse habitat with woodland and water species abounding. The cherry on the top at the end of the trip was a Red-shouldered Hawk that posed for the group.

Photos by JoAnn Stillman, report by Kathy Mayshar