JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

My wife and I took a ride to the rookery yesterday for a few shots of the variety of birds. It turned out to be a disappointing day to say the least
The access road from highway 41 was closed due to construction and access was finally gained through the DPW annex road off highway 772.
Once there I chatted with several photographers who noted little activity worth shooting. I saw a a single blue heron nesting, approximately 10-12 egret nests, a few anhingas and a small alligator….. very minimal activity compared to prior years.
The mangroves also appeared to be dying off this year also.
The volunteer present attributed the diminished activity to the major construction in the surrounding area.
Just providing an update as I saw it. Hopefully things will improve so we can all enjoy it as in the past

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Ugh, sorry to hear this.
Hope to be there in a few weeks as I have had wonderful luck there in the past.
Fingers crossed, thanks for the update.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I started going there about 1986 - it was THE birding hotspot in Florida at the time ! - maybe 1992 was the last time I was there - it was changing rapidly - even THEN ! 8-(
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roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I'm waiting another month or so to head to the rookery at the St.Augustine Alligator Farm. The nesting will be in full swing. We get many beautiful birds.

NancyS Loc: SE Michigan

Such a shame! My photos of the egrets at the Venice Rookery have gotten better each year I've visited. The birds must have found a new location. Maybe the Audubon Society there has some insight.

Xanadu Loc: Clay County FL

Disappointing.

NatureShooter Loc: NW Illinois

Thanks for posting the update on Venice Rookery. Really sad to see such a wonderful place getting overrun by congestion and construction. A major construction project was starting last year when I was there (and got lots of great bird photos). I was fearful that it would impact the rookery and unfortunately sounds like that has happened. Too much natural habitat is being lost to human intervention! I'm in Fort Myers and usually make multiple trips to the rookery this time of year but may have to look for some new photo sites. From I've read, the Everglades doesn't have a lot of bird activity either.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

Jim, It makes me sad when I hear reports like yours. I live in Florida since 2004 near the Tampa area and more and more our "progress" in development is destroying the fauna and flora of this beautiful State. So many condos are popping everywhere leaving few areas the birds would feel less threatened and with enough open spaces to build nests and breed. Is not just the development that is affecting them but also the noise that it brings. All these things are a real shame, in my point of view. What a pity!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Most of the bird population in Florida is down this year. Florida Fish and Wildlife is attributing it to warmer weather North of Florida this fall and on a unique el Nino contribution.
But I noticed a decrease last year also. As the human population in Florida explodes the birds are also having less and less habitat.
I hope this is not a sign of the times.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Any rookeries down in your area? In a week I’ll be heading to Cape Coral for week. Most of the time I’ll be kayaking but I’m at least gonna visit Ding Darling by car. If only been by kayak and when it’s most active it’s too shallow to kayak in very far.

Judy795

I live close by the Venice Rookery and go there frequently, at least once a week if not more often. I only started going in 2014 so I don’t have a decade or more of experience. There are at least a dozen local photographers who are there just as frequently. Over the past years the birds begin to return by Thanksgiving. By March it is filled with chicks. Many of the birds look like they favor the same nests year after year.
There is even a Great White Heron with what appears to be a bone sticking out of its neck that has been around a few years.
Yes there is a lot of construction going on but there is very easy access from Rt 776 coming in past the sheriffs station.
Last year my husband and I were part of a group who joined the Venice Audubon group and planted hundreds of pond plants and trees around the pond. This past month they have planted larger trees to block out the trailer park in the north area.
The county dug a new pond with an island. So far the resident birds have been ignoring it.
The Great Blues were the first to show up. The Black Crowned Night Herons stayed until late spring.
Check out the Venice Rookery Facebook page to see our daily postings.

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NatureShooter Loc: NW Illinois

Thank you Judy795 for the update on the Venice rookery. Your B&W of the great blue heron nest is outstanding!! I've got some wall hangers at home from previous trips there and will be making return visits in the coming weeks now that I'm in Ft Myers until end of March.
Cheers, Dan

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

The Venice Rookery has always been terrific when I've been there. However, it is in what I would consider a very unlikely place, just a very short distance off a very busy main road, within view of a dump and on an access road to a couple of municipal buildings. Perhaps the addition of the construction just broke the camel's back this year. Hopefully, things will go back to normal (great photo ops) next year.