02/01/2026

Samuel Clifford

Date: 02/01/2026

Location: Valdosta, GA

Temperature: 38°F

Time: 1:00 pm (EST)

Weather: Sunny

Returned to Grandbay to observe any visible changes in the wildlife after a sudden drop in temperature. Water is frozen over but only cm’s thick at some parts. A White Ibis was seen early on near & in the ice that is under a cm thick. It was using its curved thin bill almost like a jack hammer & pecking into the water presumably looking for food. Two more Ibis were spotted perhaps 30–50 ft away showing similar behavior. A sample of ice I observed was 0.5 cm thick.

There were no Ibis where they had been seen before. They were in the outer marshes but now they were only seen more inland. The Sandhill Cranes (approximately a dozen) could be heard & seen. Two Great Egrets could be seen. One was observed stalking through the marsh. It would stop & make its head completely vertical perhaps looking for food. It would then continue walking with its head kind of in a S-shape. Then it would lower its head horizontally (neck) & wait with it parallel to the water. Then almost like a snake it would strike at the water.

On the walk back from the tower, 2 Carolina Chickadees were seen hopping on branches, pecking, & hanging upside down. 2 Turkey Vultures flew over at the same time. The White Ibis were seen again 30–40 ft from where they were before. There were 3 of them, so the solo Ibis must have joined the others. The water appeared to be higher than in days prior either due to precipitation the days before or the ice or even both.

Sandhill Cranes: 30+

Great Egret: 2

Carolina Chickadee: 2

Turkey Vulture: 2

White Ibis: 3

Northern Cardinal: 2+

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