There is not an empty branch in the breeding marsh these days.  Everywhere you look you’ll see fascinating birds in various stages of their breeding season.  There are juvenile Ibis that hatched from nests on the north end of our main lake that are now stretching their wings and perfecting their flying skills in the breeding marsh.  The Great Egrets that hatched early in March are fledging, and you’ll find some younger Great Egrets still in the nests.  The Tri-color Herons have nests everywhere!  Some of the Tri-color Heron parents are already rearing hatchlings, and some are sitting on eggs yet to be hatched.  If you look closely, you’re sure to find Little Blue Herons building nests.  The Snowy Egrets are also hard at work rearing their young; as are the Wood Storks.  The Wood Storks prefer nesting at higher levels so it is hard to get a good view of their young from the boardwalk without a pair of binoculars or a telephoto lens.   The Cattle Egrets have basically taken up the remaining real estate in the breeding marsh and are building nests and sitting on eggs.  If you want to see some of natures most beautiful miracles, stop by Gatorland and take a stroll through the breeding marsh, and don’t forget your camera!

This time of year there is almost as much activity in Gatorland’s Breeding Marsh as there is in Gator Gully’s splash park!  Just this morning, there were over 120 Great Egrets in the breeding marsh with about 55 active nests.  We are expecting the babies to start hatching out any day now. 

There are amazing photo opportunities of these birds on their nests and displaying their spectacular breeding plumage, just a few feet from the board walk.  The Snowy Egrets have also been hard at work building nests.  So far there have been 9 nests constructed, and there are plenty more Snowy Egrets staking out prime sites for nesting.  Also, the Wood Storks are jousting for nest sites.  There are about 50 Wood Storks in the Breeding Marsh courting and getting ready for another successful nesting season. 

The Cormorants have packed their “high rise condominium” trees in the main lake toward the front of the park with more than two dozen nests.  The most exciting part is that there are babies in the nests, providing great photos!  The parents are hard at work feeding and caring for their young.  There have also been a pair of Rosette Spoonbills and a pair of Limpkins hanging around Gatorland; hopefully they will find a nice area for nesting.

This time of year the wild bird population at Gatorland is multiplying exponentially, and people often ask us why.  Of course we like to think it is because of our entertaining shows and renowned customer service, but from the birds’ point of view it is probably due to the prime real estate up for grabs. 

The Alligator Breeding Marsh/Bird Rookery at Gatorland offers some of the best nesting habitat for wading birds.  Along with the spacious nesting spots the “neighborhood” also offers top notch security.  That’s right; every nest gets its own personal guard armed with 80 sharp teeth.  The alligators and birds in the breeding marsh have a mutual symbiotic relationship.  The alligators offer the birds and their nests protection from predators, and in return the alligators will consume the weaker birds that are booted out of the nest. 

Gatorland’s breeding marsh is home to 130 alligators, and throughout the year thousands of birds stop in for a visit.  Some stay for the nesting season, and some just hang out for the free food.  There are over 17 different species of wading birds that can be found around the lakes of Gatorland throughout the year.  There are new residents showing up everyday so check back often because we will be updating you about the exciting stuff going on with the birds here at Gatorland.

The 2011 Photographers Pass Program is being canceled for the upcoming birding season.  This will include early and late entry into the Alligator Breeding Marsh and Bird Rookery outside of normal park hours. All individuals interested in continuing to take photos at Gatorland should consider purchasing an Annual Pass as the Annual Photo Pass will no longer be available.  Special events or groups of ten (10) or more should contact our Sales Department for a group rate at (407) 855-5496 extension 243. Thank you again for continuing to explore Gatorland and we encourage you to check back with us later in the year for more information on the 2012 Birding Season.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Gatorland Photo Contest announced this afternoon at the Alligator Capital of the World. 

The 2010 Photo Contest ran from March 1, 2010 through, August 2, 2010 and was open to photographers ages 18 and over and photographs submitted had to be taken at Gatorland by the entrant within the past two years. About 200 entries were received from across the country including Canada and the UK.

Submissions were judged in four categories and selected images will be featured in the theme parks collateral materials during the next twelve months.  

Bird Category:

1st Place - Green Heron Nest Building by Jim Urbach

2nd Place - Heron Ripple by Paul Hennessey

3rd Place - Elegance Great Egret by Kathy Urbach

Hon. Mention - Little Green Heron by Jack Rogers

Gators Category:

1st Place - Spring Reflection by Jack Rogers

2nd Place - Water Rippling by Ursala Dubrick

Hon. Mention - Bellowing by Susan Allshouse

Gatorland Category:

1st Place - Pretty in Blue by Susan Allshouse

2nd Place - Feather Soft by Terri Wells

Amateur Category:

1st Place - Perfection by Brian Homenick

2nd Place - Snowy Egret Glow by Mirta Arriaga

3rd Place - Pink Reflection by Lori Barslow

View all of the top qualifiers images by clicking here!