The 2019 New Year Day Walkabout at Ollie’s Pond was well attended with 50 people. We split into 2 groups with Tony Licata taking a group. The Great Blue Herons were nesting in the big pines, and there was a beautiful pair of Pileated Woodpeckers in the area feeding. Further down the path we spotted a pair of Great Horned Owls sleeping as usual. Many Anhinga’s and Common Gallinules were seen during our walk. We met up with Tony’s group and they shared where the Purple Gallinule was located. A few Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were sitting along the shore. We saw a group of Ring-necked Ducks with Coots and Pied-billed Grebes splashing in the lily pads. The morning ended with a dog pointing on a Marsh Rice Rat feeding her baby. While I was trying to get a photo of the rat, she ran between my legs. The incredible Ollie’s Pond is an exciting place.
Dave Lancaster