Date: 9/24/26 1:15 am From: Frank Enders (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: 6 Wood Storks and 25 Common Egrets at Mill Swamp Road bridge 9/23/26
North of Ridgecrest Road in Halifax County, NC on 9/24 there were 2 egrets.
After a rainy period, on 9/23/26 from 3-4PM I was surprised to see Wood Storks on the west side of the bridge, where a beaverdam has created several pools/puddles. Birds on both up and downstream sides, a total of about 6 Wood Storks (Wood Ibis) and some 25 American (Common) Egrets. By 4:30 the birds moved upstream.
This beaverdam is about 80 feet from the bridge and off and on I have noticed a river otter in the stream/pools and on the banks.
About a week ago the otter caught 3-4 fish in about 10 minutes doing repeated arched-back dives in a muddy pool/puddle. One can see haul-out spots ("slides") and otter's trail over the dam.
For some years, with less drought, there is a marsh/pond on the west (southbound) side of I-95, between the weigh station and Fishing Creek where, in late summer Wood Storks are usual visitors, along with other waders and Wood Ducks at the south end of Halifax County, but there has been almost no water there this drought-stricken year. This site is perhaps a mile north of the turf farm on NC 33.
Frank Enders
________________________________
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Loren Hintz <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2026 11:25 AM
To: <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>; <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
Subject: Re: carolinabirds Digest Wed, 19 Aug 2026 (1/1
