Wildlife at OKW? What to look for?

[cdziuba]

We're staying for the first time ever at OKW (can't wait!) this September. What wildlife and birds can we expect to see on the grounds of OKW ? Thanx!!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Lots of ducks, geese, rabbits, egrets, an occational cormorant and gulls. Some other birds I can't identify too. In fact one of them cut DH's finger one time! He was feeding the birds dry oatmeal, and he tried to feed one directly from his hand and it bit him!

I forgot to mention that one time there were about a half dozen baby squirels playing around in the palm tree near the South Point Bus stop. They were so tiny and so cute! We also have seen a gator in the canal.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Lots of ducks, geese, rabbits, egrets, an occational cormorant and gulls. Some other birds I can't identify too. In fact one of them cut DH's finger one time! He was feeding the birds dry oatmeal, and he tried to feed one directly from his hand and it bit him!

I forgot to mention that one time there were about a half dozen baby squirels playing around in the palm tree near the South Point Bus stop. They were so tiny and so cute! We also have seen a gator in the canal.

We have also seen deer and armandillos. There are also these chicken looking birds that swim. They are kind of cute.

 

[spiceycat]

hawks - last time (over in building 55) I saw an eagle. One time I sworn I saw a fox - but no one else saw it and I got convinced it was my imagnation.

there was swans too - very agressive.

the rabbits are all over the place - so watch your children - these are not tame animals - they are wild - but sometimes the rabbits are so cute that kids forget and try to pet them. this is not a good plan.

If you like birds - try to get in building 55 or 54 - WDW put up bird feeders in this area to try to get them off the golf course.

lizards, occasionally a turtle, frogs

oh by the way if you happen to see a large turtle - be carefully who you tell about it.

over at the Epcot kennel - I mentioned the large turtle - the next thing I knew the area was fenced off and pets were no longer allowed to get over there - and it was some of the prettiest walking area around the Epcot kennel.

So WDW is into saving the bigger turtles - so if you see one - kept in mind if you tell - the turtle will be protected - even if that means you won't get to see her again......

 

[Melynny]

There are eagles that nest near bldg 55 every year. Rufus pointed out the nest once. We saw an eagle try to kill a duck by the turtle pond pool earlier that trip and I thought it was my imagination until it was confirmed by Rufus.. I wonder if he is still piloting the boats now that they have been upgraded?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just be careful of the loud singing frogs! Other people may complain about loud music, parties, fireworks, etc., but DH was kept awake by the loud singing frogs in the Southpoint area. In spite of that (or is it because of that?), he always wants to go back there. What a beautiful noise to "complain" about!

 

[kda]

BIG turtle in one of the ponds in ............... Turtle Pond area!

 

[cdziuba]

Excellent replies, especially Spiceycat. I plan now to ask for Building 54 or 55 since we're avid birders. Now I'll definitely be bringing my bird guide. If you see a girl with binoculars at OKW, that'll be me!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by spiceycat
hawks - last time (over in building 55) I saw an eagle. One time I sworn I saw a fox - but no one else saw it and I got convinced it was my imagnation.

there was swans too - very agressive.

the rabbits are all over the place - so watch your children - these are not tame animals - they are wild - but sometimes the rabbits are so cute that kids forget and try to pet them. this is not a good plan.

If you like birds - try to get in building 55 or 54 - WDW put up bird feeders in this area to try to get them off the golf course.

lizards, occasionally a turtle, frogs

oh by the way if you happen to see a large turtle - be carefully who you tell about it.


Actually, it is to protect you and your pets. The large turtles are normally snapping turtles and can do some major damage to you and your pets.
over at the Epcot kennel - I mentioned the large turtle - the next thing I knew the area was fenced off and pets were no longer allowed to get over there - and it was some of the prettiest walking area around the Epcot kennel.

So WDW is into saving the bigger turtles - so if you see one - kept in mind if you tell - the turtle will be protected - even if that means you won't get to see her again......

 

[Simba's Mom]

cdziuba. check your PMs.

 

[PamOKW]

The turtle story is a reminder not to ever stick your hand into the bushes at WDW -- this is especially easy to forget at WDW. There was a very, very large snapping turtle sunning at OKW several years back.

Seeing the "Florida" birds in the early morning is a big part of my vacation enjoyment. The birds with a large hooked beak are ibis. They used to run away as soon as they heard a door open at OKW. Now, they are beggars just like all the rest of the birds -- that may have been what bit. You'll also see herons and egrets and, if you're lucky, a great blue heron. I haven't seen an armadillo at OKW (always looking) but I have seen them from the bus on the area across from PO around dusk.

I thought I'd heard that Rufus wasn't going to be piloting the new boat but would be reassigned elsewhere at WDW. It's a real shame if we lost him at OKW.

 

[cdziuba]

Thanks, Simba's Mom. Really loking forward to this mini-vacation.

 

[vernon]

Over the years at OKW I've seen aligator(s) in the canal, a large indigo( 6 feet I'd guess but non poisonous) snake sunning itself on the rocks , a smaller indigo snake in the bushes by the main pool (DG Jana was not as impressed to see him as I was ) , armadillos, Ibis, ducks, rabbits, turtles,lizards, jays, cardinals, and a few hawks/eagles.

On the golf corses nearby I've seen deer, Heron, Egrets, a swallow tailed kite , Osprey, turkey vultures, great blue herons and many other water birds.

You're going to be pretty busy spotting them all LOL.

On one occassion we were staying in one of the blocks that had a "woodlands" AKA road view. I really thought they'd missed a trick by not putting up bird boxes, feeders etc in that area, I hope that Spiceycat's news means they will have dealt with this problem (or at least exploring it). With very little effort and cost they could give those units an extra attraction, particularly for those people that love the bird life.

 

[RobDoc]

In addition to the list already mentioned, there are river otter in Trumbo canal (as well as some of the ponds viewable from the OKW villas), Osprey (some habitat was lost when the old DI buidlings were cleared for SSR, but there are nesting areas along the canal near bldgs 55-56), bobcats (iluvdisney can give a full report ), and large Muscovy ducks.

 

[Suzanne74]

Wow - we are staying at OKW as a DVC guest in Sept too - I am pleasantly surprised about all the wildlife!!

Thanks!

 

[paults]

I have not actually seen them yet but I believe OKW has some WILDLIFE in a SUITCASE over by HH and you can hear them making GURGLING SOUNDS sometimes during the day.