Sweetwater Wetlands

This email contains the trip report for Sweetwater Wetlands and a reminder about our next trip at the end.

Six of us joined Duval and Alachua Audubon on Wednesday, January 14, for a total group size of around 40 people at Sweetwater Wetlands Park in Gainesville, Florida.

We observed over 50 species.

**White-crowned Sparrow** White-crowned Sparrow, Sweetwater Wetlands

Notable species not seen in our area at this time of year included Sandhill Cranes, Roseate Spoonbills, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, and Glossy Ibis. During the trip, Kristin Herring took the photos displayed in this email. In the banner photo, a Glossy Ibis shows its diagnostic blue facial skin, which contrasts with the red facial skin of the rarer White-faced Ibis.

Afterwards, six of us enjoyed lunch together at Sonny's BAR-B-Q.

**Northern Harrier** Northern Harrier, Sweetwater Wetlands

**Northern Waterthrush** Northern Waterthrush, Sweetwater Wetlands

Our next field trip is scheduled for Spoonbill Pond on Saturday, February 21, 2026. We should expect shorebirds, herons, and possibly Saltmarsh, Seaside and Nelson's sparrows if we are there at high tide. I will email the group closer in time with details.

Good birding, Bill George

Layout and posting by Kristin Herring