Big Dunk, Little Dunk: Where the poop goes!

Hey Everybirdy!


Big Dunk-  Jack and I didn’t have to travel far to visit one of the GFBT’s (and Titusville’s) hidden gems.  Blue Heron Water Reclamation Facility is located just on the outskirts of Titusville and their wetland area is an excellent microcosm of the Space Coast’s wildlife and fresh water habitat.  You can find an amazing array of wildlife from mammals such as White-tailed Deer and Bobcats, reptiles such as the Florida Green Watersnake or American Alligators, amphibians of all shapes and sizes, and birds!  Lots and lots of birds!!

All visitors are required to sign in and out at the front office but from then on, be prepared to be surprised!  While there is a lot of vegetation to peer through at certain points it makes for some seriously gratifying treasure hunting at times.  Peek time to go is in the winter when the ducks and winter raptors (Bald Eagles, Sharp-shinned hawks and Northern Harriers) arrive.  It’s one of the most reliable places to find an American Bittern as well. Depending on water levels even the shorebirding can be good during migration in addition to warblers.  There’s plenty of year round residents such as Common and Purple Gallinules, Double-crested Cormorants and many waders including Black-crowned Night Herons.

But hey, why don’t I let Jack tell you about all that?

Little Dunk-  My favorite part of our trip was getting close up shots of a Great Blue Heron. Pretty cool since that’s the name of the place!  Made me feel great to get my first flight shot of it too!



This was as close as I've ever been to one, my favorite of the day.



My first Great Blue heron flight shot.

We heard a bird calling and my Dad said it was a Purple Gallinule.  Once I knew what it was I heard a bunch of them but we never saw them. 

Gray Catbird:  It looked like it was really enjoying the sun.

Dad used to take me here all the time when I was real little and he said I would always take a nap.  Not any more!  Driving through the plant might smell kind of funny but it gets better once you pass it.  He says it where all of Titusville’s poop goes but he didn’t use that word. You know Dad!




                      Damselfly (Florida Bluet):  My Dad let me put his macro lens on my camera because I really wanted to photograph this damselfly that flew into our car. 

 I even spotted more American Bitterns than he did, we found at least six.  Hard to get a picture because they were chasing frogs.  They must have been pretty hungry.

I can’t wait to go back!

All pictures & captions by 7 year old Jack Dunkerton, aka Little Dunk.