Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area

 Wednesday January 29th

Scott's Oriole feeding on some jelly

https://ebird.org/checklist/S211139040

I was unfamiliar with the Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area near Lake Linsey in Hernando County. But a rare to Florida avian visitor is wintering here. It's a Scott's Oriole. A western species and is way outside of the species normal range and a Lifer for me.

Chipping Sparrow

 This conservation area is managed by Florida Fish and Wildlife and has an outstanding bird feeding station at the nature center featuring water features and several feeding offerings including a feeder offering jelly.  Orioles and other species enjoy fruits and jellies and that is where anyone wanting to experience this rarity must wait. The Scott's Oriole was making very short visits to the feeder and my not return for as long as an hour. 

A Pine Siskin bathing with a House Finch

While waiting a nice variety birds came in and offered some nice photography opportunities

Carolina Chickadee

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow Palm Warbler

American Goldfinches

Pine Warbler

Red-bellied Woodpecker

House Wren

House Finch

Red-winged Blackbird

Pine Warbler

Grey Catbird

Sandhill Crane

Tufted Titmouse

Northern Cardinal

St Marks National Wildlife Refuge

 Monday January 14th

Snow Goose

On this leg of my North Florida Birding Tour, spending a two-night stay visiting the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge in the Florida Panhandle.  I have a must-see list of birds of interest. There is the American Flamingo hanging out at Mounds Pond 2, which is not a roadside venue. But the site is also the spot to locate American Black Ducks and Pintails. I am also interested in seeing Snow Geese, White-faced Ibis and the wide variety of waterfowl that frequent the Lighthouse Pond and offshore in the Gulf.

Wilson's Snipe

On Sunday I arrived at 11 am on a cold, wet day.  Within a week the refuge would actual have freezing temps and snow. Snow is quite the rare event in Florida.

Had some nice sightings and missed a lot too. Checked out the Twin Bridges location looking for the reported Rusty Blackbirds. Moved on to East River Pool - Long-billed Dowitcher, Wison's Snipe, Ring-billed Gulls, Savannah Sparrow, Yellowlegs and Green Winged Teal. At the Mound Pools added White, Glossy and White-faced Ibis, Snow Geese, Blue -Winged Teal, Hooded Mergansers, and Red-winged Blackbirds

White-faced Ibis

At the Lighthouse Pond and at the shore added Bufflehead, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Brown Pelicans, Forster's Terns, Cormorants, Redheads, Northern Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks. https://ebird.org/checklist/S209181072

Plans were to return tomorrow to finish. But later today I headed to the Panacea Unit of St Mark's to look to do some owling. This location on Bottoms Road is tidal marsh, which good habitat for Seaside Sparrow, Marsh Wren and Sedge Wren. But recently a Short-ear Owl has been patrolling the marsh. So, about sunset the owl appeared.  Very nice. A lifer. A very uncommon bird in Florida. https://ebird.org/checklist/S209084183

Returned at sunrise to Bottoms Road for the Seaside Sparrow (seen & heard), Clapper Rail, Hooded Mergansers, but no wrens. https://ebird.org/checklist/S209246084

Went back to Lighthouse Road to continue with yesterday's birding.  But the road was closed for some improvement project. https://ebird.org/checklist/S209253229. https://ebird.org/checklist/S209254086

Ruddy Duck

American Wigeon

Anhinga

A wet, Red-shouldered Hawk

Gulfside City Park Beach - Sanibel Island

 Thursday January 9th

Gulfside Beach is a public park operated by the town of Sanibel Island. Parking is $6.00 per hour

https://ebird.org/checklist/S208610007

Herring Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull trying the Crab

Sandwich Tern

Piping Plover

Willet

American Oystercatcher

Sanderling

Brown Pelican

Ruddy Turnstone

Royal Tern