The bodies of water in the area by the SportsPlex are often visited by water birds such as egrets and a variety of ducks, but on Oct. 17, 2022 a rare roseate spoonbill was spotted there.
The roseate spoonbill is one of six spoonbill species and the only one found in the Americas, most often around the southeastern coast of the United States or in Central and South America.
The groups of spoonbill sweep their bills through shallow salt or fresh water eating crustaceans and fish. These wading birds nest and roost in trees and shrubs. Like flamingoes, they get their color from the foods they eat.
They nest and forage in areas that can be hard to reach, so it can be difficult to determine their exact numbers. It may be that Marion County is too far north, but the question posed by bird watchers, or birders, is whether these birds are rare in Marion County, or if there are simply not enough birders in Marion County to record sightings of the birds that travel through the county.
One way to have more accurate counts of birds in the county is to increase interest in birding among area residents. This week is the perfect time as the Great Backyard Bird Count takes place Feb. 17 through 20.
To take part, decide where you want to watch birds and watch them for at least 15 minutes, at least once over the four days. Identify the birds you see or hear and share your findings on a birding app or website, such as the Merlin Bird ID app or the eBird website. When you share your findings, you help keep counts of birds throughout the country.
The Merlin app is easy to keep up with because you can have it on your phone, and it identifies by sound, description and
photos.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and The Audubon Society are excellent websites for birders, and the Pine Woods Audubon Society is located in Hattiesburg, if you want to join a local group. The Mississippi Birding Trail is a great resource, as well. If you want to get into some serious birding, you can visit a Wild Birds Unlimited store. The stores closest to Marion County are located in Jackson and Mobile. The owners and associates there are trained in everything birds.
Birding is low cost, it can be done anytime, anywhere, it is rewarding and may be solo or social, and it is good for mental health.
There is a simple list of things you need to start bird watching. You need a good birding guide. The Merlin app can be used for this, but a paperback of birds of the region, southeastern U.S. for us, is helpful, as well. Most birders believe you need a pair of binoculars to be a serious birder. They do help but are not required to get started. If this becomes a passion for you, you will definitely want a good pair.
If you are watching in your yard, birdfeeders are helpful. It is a good idea to research what birds eat what foods and to buy good quality food. It does not help to get it cheap if the birds will not eat it. It also does not help if the squirrels eat it all. There are foods like safflower and things with hot pepper added that mammals will not generally touch.
Your bird watching journey can be as simple as sitting at home, or by the river, and listening. The Pearl River offers a multitude of birds. If you find a quiet spot at the Columbia Water Park, you can see and hear birds such as woodpeckers, finches, cardinals, hawks and maybe even an eagle if you get lucky. There are eight species of woodpeckers in Mississippi alone. Maybe you could set a goal to see them all.
As you look, make yourself a life list of the birds you see. I have traveled to Vicksburg to see a snowy owl in an ice storm, to Grenada Lake to see a brown-footed booby and to Peru to see a blue-footed booby. That spoonbill was in Marion County, and so was I. Yet it is still on my list of birds I want to see.
Beth Riles is a staff writer for The Columbian-Progress. She may be reached at (601) 736-2611 or eriles@columbianprogress.com.
