There is some great news in the LSSI world of bird migration — one of the Marbled Godwits that was fitted with a satellite transmitter on December 3, 2008 (page back in the blog to read the full story!) is en route to its breeding grounds. Brad Winn, with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources gave word that the Godwit is currently in South Dakota, which he learned by getting readings through the transmitter. This is exciting news, because it was previously thought that the Marbled Godwits in Georgia flew to James Bay, Canada — much farther east than the bird is headed. This particular Marbled Godwit is known by the alpha-numeric code A0, and the transmitter id number is 84204. The bird stopped over in the Tennessee/Kentucky region before moving on to South Dakota, and the journey is probably not finished yet.

For a change of pace, we decided to venture to Main Beach for a little shorebirding this morning. What a treat! We headed north to the new pond, and saw two Piping Plovers along the way, pounding their tiny feet on the sand to attract food. At the pond, a beautiful Willet in breeding plumage stood watch along the back edge. Our attention was quickly diverted, however, by another bird standing nearby. It was a Whimbrel, an uncommon visitor to the island, with it’s long curved-down bill standing out sharply against the sandy background. How cool! As we admired the Whimbrel, three Black-necked Stilts flew circles over the pond; against the blue sky their black and white plumage and hot pink legs were a knockout. Wilson’s and Black-bellied Plovers were also at the pond.

As we left the pond, we explored Middle Bar, where we were treated not only to Brown-pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, and Royal Tern, but also by Forster’s Tern and one Sandwich Tern. Rounding out the group were about six Short-billed Dowitchers, some Ruddy Turnstone, and Sanderlings. Once back at the gazebo, the fun didn’t end. A Green Heron flushed from one of the wet pools in the grass. As we watched it fly into the nearby trees, a Killdeer loudly called near the road. As a finale, a Solitary Sandpiper flew in and landed next to the Killdeer. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

Yes, it’s true… Painting Bunting sightings on LSSI are happening daily, at all the feeders from the main Lodge to the cottages. In other returning migrant news, we have been seeing Purple Martins in the Martin house, Summer Tanagers in the woods, and a Baltimore Oriole busily eating caterpillars in a Toothache Tree. The hummingbirds continue to wow us, and House Finches and Painted Buntings have been seen using the nectar feeders as well. The Black-necked Stilts have been here in fabulous numbers; on Wednesday there was a group of nearly 20 at Myrtle Pond, and another group of about 18 in North Pond, feeding in the shallows with Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Snowy Egrets.

At Sancho Panza, there are still some beautiful Red Knots in full color, and really large numbers of Sanderling and Dunlin, also in breeding plumage. The usual collection of terns and gulls are present, along with Marbled Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, and Willet.

One of the most popular guest activities on LSSI is the nighttime wildlife ride, and this month the nights have been filled with incredibly cool stuff! All the recent rains have filled in the freshwater sloughs, or temporary wetlands, creating great habitat for Green and Squirrel Treefrogs — their calls, along with the calls of Southern Toads, loudly fill the air in the evenings. Along with fallow deer, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, and alligators, we have also been delighted to see other creatures on the rides, like moths and glowing, blinking fireflies! Chuck-will’s-widow calls are carrying through the darkness, too. Taking in these wonders, along with enjoying the rising moon when it was nearly full, and enjoying the stars on the darker nights, brought a whole new natural experience to many of our guests. The night rides are dark, quiet, and a good way to reconnect with nature!

There have been some minor changes at Norm’s pond this Spring… the area that in the past was a peninsula jutting into the pond has been cut off and isolated to form a tiny island. LSSI’s Ecological Advisory Committee (EAC) proposed the change to encourage colonial nesting birds to establish their rookeries at the pond. Wood Storks in particular seem to have a preference for islands, using the water as a buffer from predatory species such as raccoons. We are monitoring for courting and nesting behavior, and today Snowy Egrets and Tri-colored Herons in breeding plumages were seen in courtship displays in several of the trees at the pond. Norm and the other alligators seem to like the new look of the pond, and Norm has been basking in the sun up on the edge of the pond on several occasions.

Beginning in February, LSSI naturalists Abby and Roxann have been visiting Goodyear Elementary in Brunswick. Eugenia Taylor, who is a second grade teacher at the school and has been coming to LSSI for a number of years, brought up the idea and the girls immediately jumped at the opportunity. Two days a month, they teach the kids about LSSI ecology and in May a handful of second graders will be coming to the island for a visit!

So far, Abby and Roxann have taught the kids about the processes involved in the island’s formation and have given them a closer look at the beach ecosystem. They have also brought over one of the island’s spotting scopes to give the kids a close look at a Red-shouldered Hawk nesting in a pine right in front of the school! This week, they will be taking in some critters to introduce them to the marsh ecosystem. The task has been quite a challenge but has proven to be extremely rewarding. We are all looking forward to their visit in May!

Ruby-throated hummingbirds have returned to LSSI, gracefully hovering about the nectar feeders at the main lodge, then quickly zipping away to alight briefly on nearby tree branches. As many as four at one time have been seen at each feeder! Along with hummingbirds, other returning migrants this week include Prothonotary Warbler and Great-crested Flycatcher. Island employee John Meyer was the first to lay eyes on our much anticipated bird friend, the Painted Bunting! He saw a male near the pool, but as of yet, he has been the only person lucky enough to spot the colorful bird.

Spring rains in the last week have inundated LSSI with much-needed fresh water, leaving puddles and pools along every low spot. The chorus of tree frogs and leopard frogs echoes in the night, skinks are active, and alligators have been moving about, even walking on the roads. New blooms include Spiny Nightshade, Sundrops, and thistle. Migrants moving into the area include Black-necked Stilts, Glossy Ibis, Merlin, Tree Swallows, and Red Knot by the hundreds. Giant Swallowtail, Monarch, sulpher, Red Admiral, and many other butterflies are out as well. A very rainy outing to bird Sancho Panza beach provided looks at large flocks of Sanderling, Red Knot, Dunlin, dowitchers, and Tree Swallows, as well as Royal, Caspian, and Forster’s Tern; Semipalmated, Black-bellied, and Wilson’s Plover; Willet, Marbled Godwit, and a Long-billed Curlew. The fishing is starting to pick up a bit; guests have fished at the dock and gotten an interesting assortment of fish such as Sheepshead, Black Drum, Whiting, Oyster Toadfish, and even one Redfish.