Date: 4/28/26 2:31 pm From: Carol Joan Patterson <0000003a0ccbe138-dmarc-request...> Subject: Frog Bayou
Recently there have been exciting reports of dark ibis atFrog Bayou including Sharp Chapel Road. I decided to pay a visit, not only for theibis, but because who knows what other action might be afoot?
Well, I did not see any ibis, but what birds there were!
At the original Frog Bayou, we were heading past what Ibelieve is Cell 3 when Donald thought he saw a bittern flying over the berm,and he noted exactly where it disappeared. We went to this spot and looked on the other side. We thought it went into the next field whichwe could not reach due to a deep drainage ditch. Then it suddenly took off from the base of ashrub near the top of the berm where Donald had last seen it. It had been hidden by the grass. It flew right past us. I clearly saw its odd profile, with a long,rather heavy bill, small head and thick neck. We had not seen a bittern in years.
Not long after, in the same general area, Donald saw aMississippi Kite. It was flying away,but happily it circled back. Suddenly italerted and flew more strongly. It flewfaster and faster, then folded its wings and stooped, dropping at about a 45-degreeangle. It disappeared from view low overa field. It was a thrilling sight. I was doubtful that kites stooped, so Ichecked with Sibley's Bird Life and Behavior. He says that many hawk stoop.
There were other surprises, including Little Blue Herons andat Sharp Chapel a Black-necked Stilt. Bell’s Vireos, Common Yellowthroats and Yellow-breastedChats were back.
The first I heard of Frog Bayou was a posting by Joe Neal alertingus to the possible expansion of the reserve. It was expanded, benefiting both ourselves and the wildlife. It’s a wonderful place and I hope it will beexpanded even more. If you haven’t beenthere, now is the time
