Oil Well Road Duck Pond 2015

Since there seems to be no consensus on a name for the Southwest Florida wildlife venue highlighted in this post, I am opting not to change the name Oil Well Road Duck Pond which I used last year.

The Wood Stork above (image 1) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

Contributors to eBird use the names Flooded Field Bird Sanctuary and Gargiulo Tomato Field among others for this location. Checklists are readily available to view using the name Gargiulo Tomato Field at eBird.

The Great Blue Heron above (image 2) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 3) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 4) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

Many months ago I heard the news that the tomato field "Bird Sanctuary," east of Naples in Collier County, was going to be turned into residential housing. A large billboard at the site advertises the future change.

The Mottled Duck above (image 5) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Northern Harrier above (image 6) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The waterfowl above (image 7) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

Research about this "development" led me to a very good business article published by the Naples News Press. While I initially thought that there would be a relatively immediate razing of the land, it seems possible that there could be another flooding of the tomato field in late 2016.

The Common Yellowthroat above (image 8) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Great Blue Heron above (image 9) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Northern Harrier above (image 10) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

With the new "community" reported to take 20 years to develop, one must be prepared that the seasonal Duck Pond will be a casualty near the beginning of the growth as the venue sits at the intersection of what will no doubt become a major intersection of roadways.

The Tree Swallow above (image 11) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Blue-winged Teal above (image 12) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The wading birds above (image 13) were photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

On my 29 November 2015 visit to Duck Pond it was immediately clear that I wouldn't be crossing the water filled gully to make observations of the flooded tomato field from the perimeter berm as I had last year. The gully was dry in the late Fall of 2014.

The Great Egret above (image 14) were photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle with Ring-necked Duck above (image 15) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The juvenile Common Gallinule above (image 16) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

Also noted on this visit was that the water level in the field was much lower than expected. The overall number of birds observed at the Duck Pond seemed fewer than during my visit last year as well. I particularly enjoyed the use of bins (10x42) here acquired not too many months ago.

The Glossy Ibis above (image 17) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Roseate Spoonbill above (image 18) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Mottled Duck above (image 19) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

This visit to Oil Well Road Duck Pond was especially memorable for the number of raptors seen. Seven Bald Eagles including two adults were visible at one time which I think is quite a remarkable feat of coexistence with an occasional aerial dispute between immature birds.

The Northern Shoveler above (image 20) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Mottled Duck with Northern Pintail above (image 21) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Northern Pintail above (image 22) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

There were also at least two Northern Harrier that worked the flooded field. When you look at (image 41) you can see the Bald Eagle in the upper right eyeing the Northern Harrier not too far behind in the lower left portion of the image. A keen behavior on the part of the eagle.

The wading birds above (image 23) were photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The wading birds above (image 24) were photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Northern Harrier above (image 25) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

While both resident vulture species were observed, additional raptors were seen as well. Fellow observer Jeff Bednar pointed out a Crested Caracara that had landed on a pine to the Southwest of our observation point. A Peregrine Falcon also made several higher altitude surveys of the potential food sources below it.

The Northern Harrier above (image 26) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Northern Harrier above (image 27) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Little Blue Heron above (image 28) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

Possibly to a fault I am intensely focused on observations of the wildlife. Lacking complete attention at a critical moment will readily result in the loss of a compelling image. This day almost offered a great one.

The Turkey Vulture above (image 29) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Blue-winged Teal with Green-winged Teal above (image 30) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 31) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

Attempting to follow the raptors which were very active causing stunning blastoffs of waterfowl, I observed a particular Northern Harrier at very close range unfortunately clipping its right wing as seen in (image 26).

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 32) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle with prey above (image 33) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck above (image 34) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

I suspect that the water level will not offer sustainability this season for the wildlife in great numbers by the time you read this. With good fortune there will hopefully be an opportunity to observe migratory birds in great numbers from this venue for years going forward.

The waterfowl above (image 35) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 36) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The juvenile Peregrine Falcon above (image 37) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

Cinnamon Teal was my nemesis and would be life bird missed this year at Oil Well Road Duck Pond. At a venue such as this where wildlife can be too distant for enjoyment with binoculars, bring your scope if you have one.

The Crested Caracara above (image 38) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Osprey above (image 39) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Fish Crow above (image 40) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Oil Well Road Duck Pond may be considered a postage stamp on a poster board when comparing it to the Storm Water Treatment Area immediately south of Lake Okeechobee. STA 5/6 is a must visit venue for all.

The immature Bald Eagle with Glossy Ibis and Northern Harrier above (image 41) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Blue-winged Teal above (image 42) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 43) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

After several visits to STA5 myself, I strongly encourage you to see the venue. The Hendry-Glades Audubon website should be investigated with one's interest to visit STA5/6 ideally in the Fall and Winter months. Coordinator Margaret England would certainly be thrilled to hear from you.

The juvenile Peregrine Falcon above (image 44) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

The Northern Harrier above (image 45) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

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The Northern Harrier above (image 46) was photographed at Gargiulo Tomato Field in November 2015.

A two part report from the visit last year to the Oil Well Road Duck Pond may be investigated here.