Road Trip - Florida Caverns

Sunday, January 14th

Another cold day in the Panhandle and today I'm joining with Dave and Tammy McQuade with stops at the Apalachicola Airport and Florida Caverns State Park. But first was one more look at activity at the Biltmore Avenue Ponds.

Greater White-fronted Goose with Canada Geese

at Orange Avenue Pond

Photo is courtesy of Tammy McQuade

Dave and Tammy were checking out the ponds for any Ross's Geese and I was interested in seeing the Greater White-fronted Goose. They did relocate  the Greater White-fronted Goose at a nearby pond in the company of dozens of Canada Geese. Unfortunately for me, the flock was flying off as I arrived. But the Snow Geese were still at the North Biltmore Avenue Pond

Snow Geese

Canada Geese

The purpose for going to the Apalachicola Airport, is that there are a few Sprague's Pipits that will winter at this location. This is a western bird and a rare find east of the Mississippi River.  Especially rare in Florida. The birds seen here live in the grass bordering the airport runways. So after we received permission from the airport staff, who provided us with orange safety vests and radios, Dave, Tammy and I walked the property. Most of it had been recently mowed but a productive section that hadn't been mowed yet did yield a lone pipit. Its a small bird with a unique flight pattern when flushed and a distinctive call. We couldn't relocate it for any possible photo opportunities.  Our friend Eary Warren was successful with getting pics of the pipit a couple of weeks ago.  Other birds seen here include Eastern Meadowlarks, Killdeer, Savannah and Vesper Sparrows.

Chipola River at Florida Caverns State Park

Redheaded Woodpecker seen at 

Florida Caverns State Park

Next venue today was Florida Caverns State Park, near Marianna, Florida. Someday I'll take the time for the cavern tour, but we are here because of a few uncommon in Florida birds. Winter Wrens are  fairly reliable here and we did locate two of them in  the area of the Chipola River canoe launch site.

We found several Ruby-crowned Kinglets and I was later able to locate Golden-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Black-and White warblers, an Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Blue-headed Vireo at the Blue Hole location