Rfalconcam Forum

MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Birders are flocking to a central Florida county where two duck species have made rare appearances.

A Harelquin duck was spotted in Sebastian Inlet in Brevard County. Meanwhile, a masked duck has been seen in the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands in Viera.

Experts say Harlequin ducks usually don't migrate much farther south than New England. The birds are usually found in Iceland, Greenland, western Russia and Canada.

Masked ducks are more commonly found in Mexico and typically don't migrate this far away from South America and the Caribbean.

The two ducks flew in just in time for this week's Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival.

Wounded ducks in Davie OK -- for now

Well here we go again...how could people be so CRUEL  :crying:

A group of ducks riddled with darts at Davie's Wolf Lake Park might be uncomfortable, but they can still swim, fly and eat, say a group of would-be rescuers.

But if not treated soon, the ducks run the risk of infection, said Sherry Schlueter with Broward County's Wildlife Care Center.

Efforts to treat the injured birds have been hampered by the animals' skittishness, she said.

``Some monsters have done horrific things to them and they're not as trusting as they may have been previously,'' Schlueter said.

Davie police and the Wildlife Care Center were called Tuesday after residents found darts littering the park grounds and noticed darts sticking out of the Muscovy ducks' bodies.

Wildlife workers visited the park, 5400 SW 76th Ave., Tuesday and Wednesday to capture the ducks and remove the darts, but the animals were too scared to let anyone close.

The group plans to give the ducks a respite and will regroup later on trying to capture the injured animals.

Schlueter said they have a better chance at treating the ducks if well-intentioned people don't feed them.

``We have wildlife veterinarians on hand who can provide them with the help that they need to be healthy and strong again, but the longer it takes to get them in here, the more they risk infection from the darts rusting,'' she said.

In March 2009, two Muscovy ducks hit by darts in Miramar had to be euthanized because their injuries were so severe.

As to whoever injured the ducks in the first place, Schlueter said punishment for unnecessary or cruel treatment of an animal could range from a misdemeanor crime to a third degree felony carrying up to $10,000 in fines and possible jail time.

 :(    :crying:   

Poor ducks.  :crying:  :crying:

I'd love to see the Harlequin!

As for the other...
Bobitize the fools! :viking:

right after we shoot darts into them.

Harlequin can often be found this time of year near the inlet at Ocean City, MD.

Let me think 3 or 4 weeks down the road, Helen.  You know me... 

Superbowl then
Daytona - then Hubby working weekends. :-)