The Venice Rookery is a park located in the heart of Venice within sight and sound of busy Tamiami Trail, a County Administration Building and a small trailer park. In this unassuming location it is possible to view an amazing number of freshwater wetlands birds. The whole park is no larger than the nearby Wal-Mart and parking lot. The center of attraction is a small lake and a very small island. Here, in winter 50 to 70 Anhingas, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Night Herons return to their birthplace and cram themselves onto this island to breed and raise their young in relative safety.
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| Venice Rookery Island |
On this day in early February, the Anhingas were most prevalent, showing off their black and white plumage and engaging in various mating foreplay. Many were already sitting their nests. I had to look hard to see most of the nesters within the thick branches of the wild pepper trees. I would estimate at least 30 individuals were nesting here on the island.
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| Anhinga |
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| Mating Rituals |
The next most prevalent species were the Great Blue Herons. Two pair of 18 inch high nestling chicks were visible. Other large adults were nearby, on their nests.
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| Blue Heron Nestlings |
A half dozen Great Egrets were displaying (peacock like) a spray of white feathers in hopes of impressing the ladies. Their chicks will arrive later in March.
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| Great Egret Showing Off |
Finally, a pair of beautiful Mottled Ducks was on the main shore. They mate for life. I could see no nest or ducklings, although I didn’t try to get too close.
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| Mottled Duck |
Amazingly, all of this wildlife is living around and breeding near the center of a small city. In a world of diminishing habitats for all wild creatures, the Venice Rookery gave me hope that most of the smaller animal species don’t need hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness to survive. Most can adapt very well to the crowding, stress and pollution of urban environments….kind of like humans.
