Road Trip

Thursday January 18th

  

Didn't see the bison at Payne's Prairie
this trip but did spot this herd at the

Three Suns Ranch along SR 31
in Charlotte County

Began the year with a birding road trip to the Panhandle and North Florida. Visited birding hotspots from Lake Wales to Apalachicola to Tallahassee to Merritt Island and Sebastian Inlet. The weather was rather cold for Florida, but was such a nice change from the norm. Picked up about 150 species including a Lifer in a Sprague's Pipit. Dipped on a few I was looking for though.

Had started out from Fort Myers on Thursday the 11th making stops at the Punta Gorda Airport Pond ( Long-billed Dowitchers, Stilt Sandpiper, Least Sandpipers), Ackerman Park in Sarasota ( Ring-necked Ducks ) and a short visit the Celery Fields. Missed the bronzed cowbirds there. 

Ring-necked Duck at Ackerman Park

Common Ground Dove at the Celery Fields feeders

Limpkins and a Snail Kite were spotted along the highway as well. On Backbone Road near Lake Wales a stop was made for the pair of Whooping Cranes known to use these pastures.  However, I was informed by a group already on site that the birds had walked out of sight. Got an American  Bittern though before heading on to Gainesville.