Bachman's Sparrows at Babcock-Webb

Tuesday, May 24th

Arrived a bit late to caught the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, in their roosting holes, but made up for it with several easily found Bachman's Sparrows.  In the area just beyond the firing range, along Truckers Grade I located four singing sparrows. The males will sit on lower limbs of the pine trees and sing in the early morning hours, making them much easier to locate.  That is until the nesting season is over and the sparrows returning to their skulking ways. Other birds located in this open pine land environment included Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbirds, Pine Warblers, Northern Cardinals and calling Northern Bobwhites.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Spent about four hours exploring the Babcock-Webb's roads for more species. I missed on the brown-headed nuthatch, but did find a Red-cockaded Woodpecker later in the day along with locating Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Brown Thrashers, both Grackles, Common Yellowthroat, Red-wing Blackbirds, Great Crested flycatcher and Eastern Meadowlark. Had hoped to relocate a kestrel I had observed all winter in a particular tree, but could find it today. If it had been of the Southeastern subspecies, it may have stuck around. Was able to add a couple of Swallow-tailed Kites, but saw fewer wading birds than usual. No doubt due to the shrink water levels.

On the way home I drove through the north side of Cape Coral to location  Florida Scrub Jays. Was able to add a pair of jays, plus several Eastern Meadowlarks, more Northern Mockingbirds, Killdeer, Eurasian Collared Doves, regular Blue Jays, a soaring  Red-tailed Hawk and another Swallow-tailed Kite