The Cacandee sluice gates and Orange Field mudflats 2009.06.29

Highlights: White-cheeked Pintail, Greater Black-backed Gull

After putting it off for several weeks, I finally decided to make a trip to the Cacandee sluice gates to try and get a look at the White-cheeked Pintails (Anas bahamensis) that frequent the area. We arrived at 6:30am and almost immediately picked up a small group of 3 Pintails flying over the reedbeds from Abidah road.

Driving down to the boat launch, I saw a female Pintail with a brood of 7 ducklings. A further three Pintails seen later may have been from the original group.Also in the area of note was a Ringed Kingfisher, juv Gray Hawk, Common Black Hawk and a Long-winged Harrier.

Leaving Cacandee, we went to Orange Field fishing depot. The 1st winter Greater Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) was still present among the usual bunch of Laughing Gulls along with at least two Wilson’s Plovers.