I had been wondering if we would see Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in South Carolina this year; they only starting migrating here from Florida in the last few years.
Last year it was May and June when I got pictures of them last year, although not at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.
On Saturday, in the fog, there they were! Five of them just standing around in a tree in one of Magnolia’s recently cleared swamp areas.
This morning not far from the above picture these two were soaking up the sun on an Alligator Ramp.
A mother Wood Duck and her brood paddled on by.
Whistling Ducks are cavity nesters like the Wood Ducks, and may use some of the man-made nest boxes or the tree cavities recently used by the Wood Ducks.
I continued on my path and got a little closer view before these two flew off.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 15, 2023 & April 20, 2023
I’m hoping the flock that’s been migrating to Delaware (1/2 mile from our daughter’s house) for the last couple years returns again, I looked for them two days ago passing by. Such a cool, tropical-looking duck, great shots!
They are a fascinating bird, both in look and behavior! How neat to have them in a local spot, I sure hope you get to see them too!