A high tide coming near midday and good weather turned a quick trip to the local salt marsh into Plan A. I put in under the highway and headed downstream and with the tide peaking in just another hour, the flood current was already lessening. I spotted a ground hog in the brush just as I got going.
The Wheeler Marsh is still wide open with unobstructed views. Last year's spartina was flattened by winter snow and this year's growth is not much more than 6-8 inches high. I head into one of the small channels knowing and begin wandering. High tide is a good time, and about the only time, to explore the many small channels that run through the marsh. There are quite a few Great Egrets, particularly in the center of the marsh. There are 8-10 Osprey scattered about, but none of them are actively fishing. Two seem to building a new nest on a dock at the upper end of the marsh. I spot a pair of Swans, one still tending eggs on a nest near the large central phragmites patch. Of course there are a lot of Geese and Mallards. In the lower east corner, I find a pair of Snowy egrets - the only two I spot. I haul two plastic barrels over to the WR launch. Later, I'll collect them on the drive home. An immature Bald Eagle flies over and perches above me.
I circle behind Cat Island, a route that only goes at the highest tides. Then, I head up into Beaver Creek - spot ten Yellow Crowned Night Herons. Interesting that they are all in this area. Spot one Black Crowned Night Heron - interesting that I only see one when there are so many of the others.
Heading back upriver, I spot a mature Bald Eagle.
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