Tuesday, November 17
Today, with Bob Pelkey behind the wheel, we had planned a stop at the Celery Fields in Sarasota. Then the reports came out about the Mountain Bluebird being seen at the Oasis Visitor Center at Big Cypress Preserve. So a stop was planned for there as well.
Mountain Bluebird
We arrived in early afternoon and easily spotted the Mountain Bluebird. It was sitting on its spot on a fence near the parking lot. Very unusual to have this western bird in the Everglades. The bird is reported to be a juvenile female and is a lifer for me. Hasn't been reported here since about the 20th.
Some other species seen at the visitor center.
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| American Alligator |
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| Tricolored Heron |
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| Great Blue Heron |
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| Snowy Egret |
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| Great Egret |
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| American Crow |
The Celery Fields - Sarasota
Bob and I arrived at dawn and spent the morning mostly around the south cell. Soras could be heard calling and Marsh Wrens heard babbling. Least Bittern was hiding in the flag weed and Purple Gallinule were active as well. Rosette Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis and Wood Storks were flying over head. Limpkins were calling and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were just hanging around. Calling Nanday Parakeets and a flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds too.
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| Loggerhead Shrike |
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| Savannah Sparrow |
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| Swamp Sparrow |
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| Limpkin |
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| Marsh Wren |
From here traveled about a mile up Palmer Road to Palmer Lake were we added Northern Shovelers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Laughing Gulls, Forster's Terns Long-billed Dowitchers and a Crested Caracara
This was a fun day, Tom. I'm glad you were able to travel. The chance of seeing the Mountain Bluebird kept the adrenaline going.
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