Birds of Lake Tohopekaliga

Twice a week, I try to go for runs through downtown Kissimmee. If I head south from the house where I live, it takes me to Lake Tohopekaliga.

The lake is large enough that I can’t see the entire shoreline. It is home to alligators, fish, and a good variety of birds. The first time that I went for a run around the lake, I was delighted at all the different kinds of water fowl. Here is a list of the birds that I have personally seen on my jogs.

Sand Hill Crane

Limpkin

Wood Stork

American Coot

Anhinga

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

White Ibis

Common Moorhen

Blue Jay

Red-winged Blackbird

American Crow

Osprey

Watching the Osprey dive straight down into the water and emerge with a fish is a memorable sight. I’ve seen the Osprey, flying overhead with a fish in its talons, closely followed by a dozen cawing crows.







If I sat around the lake all day, I'm sure that I would spot more birds and see some fascinating things about their behavior. As it is, though, I have to keep moving on my jogs. I am glad that I have employment in this economy, but my job takes up most of my time, by far. There is not enough time to spend an entire day birdwatching.

The birds of Lake Tohopekaliga are certainly entertaining, though.