Pitcher Plants

 Monday May 31st

White Pitcher Plants

One of my objectives on my trip up to the Gulf Coast in Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle was to locate Pitcher Plants. Found several, plus two Sundew and Yellow Bladderwort.  Had success at Yellow River Preserve near Milton, Florida, Tarkiln Bayou State Park in Escambia County, Florida and at Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge near Gautier, Mississippi.

Fascinating plants that capture insects for sustenance as they survive in environments that are nutrient poor. 

Pale Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia alatae) found at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR

Parrot Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia psittacine) found at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR

White Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia leaucuphylla) found at Yellow River Preserve and Tarkiln Bayou State Park

Moore's Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia x moorei) a hybrid found at Yellow River Preserve

Pink Sundew (Drosera capillaris) found at Yellow River Preserve and Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR

Tracy's Sundew (Drosera tracyi) found at Yellow River Preserve and Tarkiln Bayou State Park

Yellow Butterwort (Pinguicula lutea) found at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR

Mississippi Sandhill Cranes

 Sunday May 30th

A well tagged Mississippi Sandhill Crane seen in Vancleave, Mississippi,

The Mississippi Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis pulla) is the rarest sub-species of the six recognized sub-species of this bird. The wild population of some 100 birds are non-migratory and are at home in and around the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR near Gautier, Mississippi. 

I came to Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR last weekend to observe any of these rare birds. As it is nesting time, most are out and away from refuge roads and trails. I lucked out with meeting a pair of birders who put me on a bird that was actually grazing on the front lawn lawn of the Coke Cola Bottling Plant at Vancleave.  These birds are all tagged up and monitored.

Hiked the C L Dees Trail at MSCNWR looking for any interesting birds and wildflowers. Spotted an Eastern Fence Lizard, Eastern Wood-Pewees and Brown-headed Nuthatches.

Eastern Fence Lizard

There are six sub-species of Sandhill Cranes in North American of these, three are non-migratory populations. These include the Florida, Mississippi and Cuban sub-species. 

We are familiar with the Florida sub-species and the Greater Sandhill Cranes when they winter in Florida. 

The other two sub-species, the Lesser Sandhill and the Canadian Sandhill generally winter in the western states. As for the Cuban sub-species, they are strictly seen in Cuba and the Mississippi Sandhill Crane are strictly located in southern Mississippi 

Pale Pitcher Plant - one of several carnivorous plants present on the wet savannah

Mathesson Hammock Preserve

 Friday, May 28th

Earlier, this month was my trip to the Florida Keys which concluded with a stop at Mathesson Hammock Preserve in Coral Gables. I always like to stop here to see the variety of lizards and birds.

Pot Bellied Air Plant is an uncommon species

Red-masked Parakeet

I delayed my posting on this visit due to the birders ethos to not report on active nesting birds, for their well being. Came across nesting Orange-winged Amazon Parrots, Red-masked Parakeets and Common Hill Mynahs at that time. 

Several parrot species and mynahs can be seen or heard in the area, which includes the neighboring Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. Two species of mynahs are seen in south Florida, from from their native homes in Asia. The smaller Common Mynah and the larger Common Hill Mynahs with their yellow facial waddles. The common mynahs seem to be stable and are often seen around shopping centers and gas station.  But the Common Hill Mynah is reportable losing ground and close to extirpation locally for unknown reasons. Mathesson and Fairchild seem to be the home for the last remnants. So seeing a Common Hill Mynahs nesting is a positive for them. Don't know how or if they were successful.

Common Hill Mynah

Common Hill Mynah

The royal palm snags were also hosting Starlings and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, with a particular snag hosting both Orange-winged Parrots and the red-masked Parakeets.

Orange-winged Parrot

Orange-winged Parrot

Bark Anole

Counted over 35 Green Iguanas sunning themselves on the mowed grass, plus spotting lots of Brown Anoles, a Bark Anole and several colorful Agama Lizards. All are invasive species.

Agama Lizard

Agama Lizard

Green Iguana

The Florida Keys

Saturday May 8th 

Last weekend made my annual trip to the Keys and the Dry Tortugas National Park in search of those special birds we only encounter in the Keys. Sunday was the trip out to Fort Jefferson.  

Had wanted to get out there a couple of weeks earlier, but reservations for the ferry was fully booked. May 2nd was the closest available date for a booking. Why go 70 miles due west of Key West to go birding? To experience the thousands of seabirds that nest on these tiny spots of sand. Brown Noddies in the hundreds, Sooty Terns in thousands, the only breeding sight for Masked Boobies within the United States and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Add the rare accordance of a Black Noddy, some Bridle Terns, possible Roseate Terns and the migration of Neotropic Birds passing through.

So Sunday, arrived at the Ferry in Key West in plenty of time for our launch at eight AM. Its a three plus hour trip aboard the Yankee Freedom. About a half hour out from the dock an Audubon's Shearwater was spotted cruising just atop the waves. Much nearer to our destination the captain slowed down the boat so the birders got a chance to observe and record the eighty or so Masked Boobies that nest on Hospital Key.

Masked Boobies photographed by
Dave McQuade in 2016.
I've yet to get a descent photograph myself
eBird Checklist - 20 May 2016 - Dry Tortugas NP--Hospital Key - 4 species

Brown Noddies

Arrived about 10:30 at Fort Jefferson on Garden Key with the visitors dividing up into three groups - the serious birders, snorkelers and the tourists. For most of the birders, the first objective was to locate the Black Noddy at the north coaling docks. Amongst the hundred of brown noddies, finding the similar looking black noddy was a task.  I lucked out as noted big year birder John Vanderpoel and master birder Bill Kaempher were kind enough to to put me on the bird with great looks at the Black Noddy through their scope.  A Lifer for three of us. 

Green Sea Turtle seen within the moat

Parrotfish

Over the next three hours lots of wildlife was observed included spotting sea life in the clear waters around the fort especially within the moat. Including a Green Sea Turtle, Parrotfish, Gray Snapper, Tarpon, a Barracuda ands of colorful reef fish

Within the fort a Broad-winged Hawk, a Merlin, Barn Swallows and a Coopers Hawk soared overhead with the Brown Pelicans and Magnificent Frigatebirds. Other migrants observed included Hooded Warblers, American redstarts, Blackpoll Warblers, Northern Waterthrush

Bridled Tern

Sooty Tern

Magnificent Frigatebird

Brown Noddy

Sooty Terns

Hooded Warbler

Northern Waterthrush

A bathing female Blackpoll Warbler

On the day before I explored the Keys for other interesting birds from Key Largo to Key West. Checked twice in the weekend at the Blue Hole on Big Pine Key for the black grassquit. Dipped on both visits. Did get a good look at a Key Deer here. It was far too comfortable around with people.

Actually not much activity here at all. Just the Key Deer and some green iguanas

Free Ranging chickens are everywhere in the Keys

White-crowned Pigeon at Key West

White-eyed Vireo at Key Largo

Gator at Blue Hole

Up at Key Largo heard Black-whiskered Vireos and several White-eyed Vireos  plus Cape May Warblers and Gray Kingbirds. At the Marathon Government Center lots of Least Terns were present as they nest on the roofs of the buildings. Did have very dissatisfying looks at a couple of Roseate terns, which also nest on the roof. Also visited Fort Zachary Taylor State Park on Key West with looks at White Crowned Pigeon, American Redstarts and Blackpolls. Stationed myself at the western end of the Marathon Airport to sunset to await the Antillean Nighthawks.  This has usually been a reliable spot, but the birds didn't show as expected. Ironically did heard one further east from my stakeout spot. Additionally heard more in the pre-dawn hours on my trek from Marathon to Key West on Sunday morning.

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard at Key Largo

Fort Zachary Taylor - Key West