St. Johns County

Audubon Society

Woodstork Colony (Jax Zoo)  - April 30, 2006
These pictures were all taken on April 30, 2006 at the Jacksonville Zoo Wood Stork Colony.

Today was cool (mid 60's), overcast and very breezy at 9AM, so it made counting and monitoring difficult. Many of the nestlings were hunkered down in the nest or had a parent sitting on them, which made it more challenging than usual to keep track of them.

The wood storks aren't the only species turning out chicks - the Black Crowned Night Herons have dozens of nests and many chicks; some of which are already fledged and could be seen flying around the boardwalk area this morning. The last picture below is of a baby night heron. The Wood Ducks and Killdeer also have small babies in tow, and can be seen on the west side of the boardwalk in the pond and on shore near the Rhinos. The flock of Blue Winged Teal was completely gone this week.

Today's count:

  • Tree A: 48 Nests (49 chicks total)
  • Tree B: 51 Nests (49 chicks total)
  • Tree C: 8 Nests
  • Tree D: 2 Nests, 2 chick
  • Tree E: 1 Nest

View of a hatchlings wing - already developing the black primaries and secondaries.

 

Busy nest.

 

Older juveniles (with the yellow bills). These are about 5 weeks old.

 

Approximate 4-week old hatchlings.

 

Black Crowned Night Heron chick.

 
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All photographs in this gallery copyright 2006 by Kevin and Marie Dailey. Duplication or copying by any means, including electronic, is prohibited.