Quite The Weekend

Well, lessee here. Where might one start to catch up on all the crazy things going on at the Lake?
First, Tampa Stormwater installed the overflow grate. I've signed the permit application for the mutant alien grass munching carp so the permit ought to be available soon. While the grate makes me nervous about plugging up with debris, it might actually help retain a bit more water in the Lake. Either way we are on track to soon introduce some carp.

Happy Additions - somebody released some large Koi in the lake, we hear one orange and one white. Hopefully they like to eat tadpoles because the toads are getting out of control again! New baby moorehens were born last weekend. This morning we found six baby turtles in our driveway. We think they were born under a bush and were walking toward the lake. They can never get over the granite curb without being eaten or smashed, so we gave them a toss to get them out in deep enough water where they wouldn't be immediate Ibis breakfast.

RIP - The two older, large Muscovy males have disappeared. Not sure what happened, but I'd guess we had some human meddling. They never bothered anyone and were the top of the duck chain. It's always sad to see birds disappear with no resolution to their fate.

Lowry Park came by Sunday and cleared an area of hydrilla. They must have some manatees again since we haven't seen them for a few weeks. I think standing in a metal boat with a rake during a rainstorm takes a lot of courage lol.

Mallard Maladies

Ruh row, when we came back from a trip on Saturday we found Mama mallard in the water with an injured leg and foot. The upper part of her leg was without skin and bleeding which must have hurt like heck. One toe was missing and one web was torn in half and bleeding. She was unable to get out of the water and climb the bank to eat with the babies. Daisy the Pekin duck was fiercely protecting her and her babies. Their friendship is truly remarkable and with the (now) 11 baby mallards, we have a true gaggle. How to help Mama was now the issue.

Our phone calls started with Lowry Park Zoo, who lost their funding for rescue and rehab with the exception of manatees. They did however, provide a few other suggestions.

Wildlife Haven Rehab is a non-profit (501c3) organization devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured, or orphaned Florida wildlife. Their 24-hour messaging directed us to Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service who mentioned a place called Zoonique.

Zoonique is a group of wildlife management specialists offering a variety of integrated wildlife management solutions including preventative maintenance, humanely ethical rescue, rehabilitation and relocation.

Ron Doyle explained the process to us; he would come extract Mama from the lake, take her to the TB Emergency Vet at Bearss and Florida Ave., they would treat her there and then she would be taken to the Wildlife Haven for rehab. This would cost us $100. We thought the babies should stay and that Daisy would care for them, but we didn't like the idea of removing the Mama since she has to teach all those little squiddlers how to fly.

Ron and Jim arrived and after several attempts at cast netting her failed, Mama, Daisy, and the babies retreated (ran like tarnation actually walking on water) to the middle of the lake. This was gonna require patience, patience, and more patience. We waited and called. After a time they returned close to shore and Ron was able to throw a cast net to get her and a few of her wigglers.

She was put into a nice crate and taken to the vet's office.

We were called by Ron after about an hour with great news, they were bringing her back after treatment! The vet cleaned up her leg which appeared to be a dog bite, cauterized her bleeding web and missing toe, gave her some antibiotics and said that she would be fine when healed. Guess she will swim a little crooked since she's now missing one web.

Her return and release prompted a very speedy gaggle exodus to the other side of the lake where Mama huddled for hours and the rest huddled around her. They were really nervous and disturbed for hours. Today (24 hours later) they seem to have forgotten the trauma and made their way back to this side. It was really neat to watch Daisy guarding the Mama mallard. They get along so well.

Wildlife Haven Rehab
Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Services

Hanging out on the South side after a traumatic day.

Upset, but still hungry! A ducks gotta eat ya know.


The crazy Moorehens are so territorial. They usually don't put up with much from any other birds. We got lucky and spotted a new batch of recently hatched chicks. They are barely as big as a ping pong ball. Talk about a big mouth! Bald heads and no wing feathers. This one to the left wasn't thrilled I was around as she had a few teenbirds nearby. she, or he was struttin! Man they have crazy big feet.

Young ones are brown and often bobbing around the middle of the lake. They stand on the lilys and can walk on water.

When I backed off they reunited.

I think it's Mom in the nest and you can see the little fuzzball in the water.

The Ibis, while rather nice looking are getting really aggressive and poking the other fowl with those long beaks. I chase them off a lot so other birds can get some peace or eat. I guess they were born with an inherent spear attached to their faces.