Giving Thanks to the Nature Around Us

Dolphin Explorer LLC is the proprietor of the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Study Program which monitors the travel range, social behavior, feeding habits, genealogy and overall well-being of the bottlenose dolphin population around Marco Island. The team has been recording data since 2006 and has documented eight new dolphin births in north Marco Island in 2022. The study continues…

It's about this time each year when I sit back, sip on a cocktail and ponder the wonders of nature that have graced this area over the past year. It has, indeed, been an interesting 12 months with Hurricanes Ian and Nicole affecting not only the landscapes here, but the behavior of the wildlife as well. In spite of the tragic events that have struck the region it is, with a broken smile, that I feel blessed to have experienced the beauties of nature as well.

As the lead Naturalist for the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Study Program, our team has documented more than 4,100 individual sightings of more than 120 dolphins so far this year and eight new calves have been logged as well. Our momma dolphins this year are MT2, Tateo, Batman, Avery, Orange, Kaya, Zipper and Sintas. This brings to 40 the number of babies seen in the last five years, so the team is right on average with eight new calves this year. But we have a couple months left in 2022, a potential to see another newborn or two.

The survival rate of manatees, another marine mammal, is better than last year at this point.

Habitat loss by the destruction of grass beds has caused the demise of many of these gentle giants. Plans to replace feeding grounds and to supply temporary food sources are helping but a long-term solution to maintain their habitats is a paramount issue. With water temps beginning to cool, these sea cows will be leaving our areas, heading for their winter homes, where as much as 80 tons of lettuce will be available in some locations to provide nourishment through the winter months.

Bald Eagles are nesting now. And we should see some new eaglets between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The winds from Hurricane Ian took down a lot of trees and an eagle’s nest is clearly visible now if you are on the south end of Keewaydin Island and look east. Nests in the western Everglades are active as well. Great to see that this population is doing well.

Ospreys are rebuilding their nests at this time as well. Keep an eye on the sky and you’ll see these raptors flying with twigs in their talons, preparing for mating season. We typically see the osprey chicks hatching around January. By the time they are 12 weeks old they are fully grown and away from the nest. They are very busy right now!

On a short trip to the western Everglades, just 20 minutes from Marco Island, I was amazed to see about 250 birds feeding in shallow, fresh water. There were Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks all living in harmony and enjoying an abundance of food for a moment. You don’t see sights like that very often anymore. It was a fabulous opportunity to see so many birds at once and such a variety!

Our winter migratory birds are back as well. White Pelicans boast the second largest wingspan of any North American bird at nine to 10 feet and they have traveled here from as far away as Canada. They arrive around Thanksgiving and stay until Easter, making them the original “snowbirds.” Warblers, robins and other songbirds are here as well, seeking refuge from the cold northern weather. Semipalmated Sandpipers are here, too! You’ll see those tiny feet pedaling faster than our eye can see along the shoreline. They’ll enjoy our warm winter months before returning way up north to the Arctic Circle!

Another sip of my cocktail and I realize that every season here is always a bit different. I’m reminded of one of my favorite phrases “If there’s anything constant in life, things change.” The dolphins and manatees are always here but there are slight changes each year. The same is true with the birdlife that we see over the 12-month period. Sometimes we see more, other times not as many. Reasons may vary why this is and often it is difficult to understand.

Forces like Hurricanes Ian and Nicole can disrupt wildlife activities but, again, things pretty much return as they were over time. Our area animals know what they’re doing and know where to find food and raise their families. We can count on that in the long term.

So, I sit here taking the last sip of my drink, giving thanks for family, friends and the amazing wildlife that surrounds me! Happy Thanksgiving to all and sincerest wishes that you find your own reasons to be thankful!