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Wildlife Sightings in Palencia
Tricolored Heron
June 19, 2012 at 7 PM
At least 100 of what were believed to be the Tricolored Heron were resident for hours at a time for about two weeks on the far bank of the pond behind our house. As you can see they nearly filled the bank, leaving little space for late comers. Smaller groups have also been seen near the far end of the Boardwalk, just past the burned area on the way toward the Intracoastal.
The following link provides closeup photos.
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/tricoloredheron.htm
If anyone can confirm or correct this identification, please send an email to Elissa@ConnectToNeighbors.com.
BOBCAT
July 11, 2012 at 6:15 PM
I was driving on the South Loop shortly before the golf cart path on the left before North River. I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a Bobcat crossing from my right heading toward the golf course. I then spotted two or three cubs on the right apparently trying to follow their mother. I stopped hoping they would cross the road, but they quickly disappeared back into the woods on the right. For more information on Bobcats: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobcat or http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/bobcat/
FLORIDA PANTHER
Website sources indicate that the Florida Panther is only found in South Florida. However no one has ever really done a true census of these cats. A deceased male was found in Palencia after having been hit by a car. A volunteer from GTM Preserve said that they are seen there as well. Recent sightings include:
August 6, 2012
I was riding my bike at the Shannon Road unpaved segment, and as I rounded the bend, there was a Florida Panther, sitting on it's haunches,staring at me. Amazing. Truth be told, I did scream. My next sighting (how lucky am I?) was August 14, 2012 driving on North Loop toward the Fitness Center at 5;30 AM. A female Florida Panther ran right in front of my car. My wife was with me and got to see her as well. Separate about a week later my wife was golfing with a friend and the cub ran across the 9th green about 100 yards in front of them.
July 18, 2012
Two local residents had a recent sighting while driving a golf cart across South Loop Parkway onto North River to go from hole 10 to 11. One resident spotted an adult. It had along tail. It was the height of his thigh at the shoulders which is bigger than a bobcat. The other resident looked down North River and saw a cub that was 8 to 10 pounds, the size of a domestic cat, just sitting in the grass at a tree planted near the edge of the road about 100 feet away. This resident used to work with Cougar cubs and adults in Indiana, and this cub was exactly the size, but darker than the Western Cougars. It was the same color as the small rabbits and squirrels in this area and had round ears. It was a Panther for sure. The very long tail was a key factor.
For more information on the Florida Panther: www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Florida-Panther.aspx
If you have spotted an animal and you'd like to share your story, please email it to elissa@connecttoneighbors.com. If you have a photo of the animal, email that too and we'll include it as well. |
