There is a lot of activity at the Bottoms right now and you should go watch the progress. The new office building is rising and will be beautiful! There is dirt and water being moved in several areas, but mostly around the pumps at the first hub east of headquarters. Wow! The main ditch is almost dry as the water is moved out to allow work to be done. It is not easy on everyone – carp are swimming in shallow water with their back out of the water. Lots of turtles are grumpy about having to move to different places. The Avocets and Ibis and herons are pretty happy with access to new territory and feeding opportunities. It appears that everyone will be safe even though they may be a little uncomfortable for a while. The new money in the Bottoms is going to be well used to make our marsh a lot better.  

The Phalaropes are really scattered. Usually, they are in groups going in circles to feed. Today they were scattered in singles and groups of two or three. Several were feeding with teal which is uncommon to me. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the warmer weather and were mellowed out. The Avocets are just beautiful. They are such elegant birds with that long bill and seem to live life very gently in the marsh. They really are the signature bird of Cheyenne Bottoms unless the Great Blue Herons object.

The water in the bottom of the ditch where the excavation is occurring is a fairly rapid small stream. I’m amazed at how much water has been moved out of the main ditch from headquarters to the first hub. You will have to go see it to understand it – I don’t think I can explain it nearly as well as you could see it if you drove by. It is pretty amazing.

Lots of birds have migrated and left the area. Fewer ducks are around, and a lot of the shorebirds have moved on. I still haven’t seen a Snowy Plover – I think they nest at Quivira and probably at the Bottoms also. The Black-necked stilts are also very pretty right now. They will breed in this area to some extent.

The Northern Shovelers are decked out and showing off. It is easy to access the birds right now – they are not threatened or nervous. It is a beautiful time to drive slow with the window down and binoculars in your hand to see the beauty of our marsh with not very many mosquitoes—about the only advantage I have found related to the cold weather.

My asparagus patch is about done. The tomatoes are just sitting there watching the weather try to straighten up so they can grow. Your garden will pick up in the next couple of weeks and then we will be getting ready for harvest. What an amazing land we live in!

Doc

Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast.