Eastern Wood-Pewee at Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve

Sunday, August 21st



Headed out to Six-mile Cypress Preserve this morning with the idea of locating early migrant warblers and vireos. Started out quite, but did notice several gators were present today.  Eventually heard the sounds of a mixed flock of birds.  Started with a couple of Tufted Titmice,  then had appearances from a pair of Hairy Woodpecker, a couple of Northern Parula and FOS appearances for me of a Black-and-White Warbler and a Yellowthroated Warbler. Also added Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers

The boardwalk



A baby gator

One goal for this trip was to find any red-eyed vireos.  With missing on this species, I elected to add a stop at Caloosahatchee Regional Park to look for the vireo. So, as I was driving over I can across Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve on Bayshore Road and decided to add a stop here as well. Turned out to be a good choice.  Because I came upon a nice mixed flock of birds at the picnic area. Had the usual Northern Mockingbirds and Blue jays, but was able to add Eastern Wood-Pewee, an FOS female American Redstart, Northern Parula, Northern Flickers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Cardinals and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers

Eastern Wood-Pewee



Eastern Wood-Pewee


But still no red-eyed vireos, so onto Caloosahatchee Regional Park.  Again, it was really quiet and after walking trails for about a half hour finally heard the noise of another mixed flock of birds. Again, it was the Tufted Titmice I noticed first, followed by Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Parulas and a couple of Yellow throated Warblers.  Then came a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and a pair of White-eyed Vireos.  The park was also busy with dozens of Barn Swallows.  But no red-eyed vireos today.

Scene along trail to the river

Other sightings from the day included Burrowing Owls, Chimney Swift, Eastern Bluebirds, Mottled Ducks, Red-shouldered Hawk, a huge flock of Fish Crows, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Green Heron, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eurasian Collared Dove, Loggerhead Shrikes, House Sparrows and Mourning Doves.  But no red-eyed vireos.





Found this Southern Toad, later, at work, but at home the huge Bufo Toads have taken over.