The Day of the Raptor

 Sunday, December 26th

Belted Kingfisher

In the quest for some final year birds went out to chase a Cassin's kingbird found in Holey Land WMA in Palm Beach County on Christmas Eve. Tried to access the location by driving south along the Miami Canal from US 27.  Seemed to be the most direct route when traveling from the Gulf Coast. But it is not.  Encountered closed roads and detours but did arrive just yards from the location only to be blocked by a water management project that had removed a bridge. 

Barn Owl

Okay so I doubled back to try to access the property from another direction.  Planned to go east along Bolles Canal but encountered a locked gate on this road adjacent to a pumping station. Have access this road many times over the years and hadn't ever seen it closed before. Elected to head home from here.

But before leaving I did take a look for any Barn Owls at the pumping station and did find an owl. This was actually a nice addition to todays. Because I had already encountered a number of interesting raptors while driving around the cane fields.

There were many dozens of American Kestrels present. Added a couple Peregrine Falcons, a couple of Caracaras, several Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Harriers. White-tailed Kites were working the fields, observed a lone Swainson's Hawk. saw a couple of Bald Eagles, several Ospreys and at least one Short-tailed Hawk. Turkey and Black Vultures round out the raptors seen today. Hundreds of Tree Swallows and a single Northern Rough-winged Swallow, plus Belted Kingfishers, Grackles, Cormorants, Anhingas, Wading Birds, Meadowlarks, Phoebes, Palm warblers and Common Yellowthroats were seen too.

Eastern Meadowlark seen along the Miami Canal

Northern Harrier seen along the Miami Canal

Bald Eagle seen on Blumberg Road

Peregrine Falcon seen on Rogers Road

Looking for Birds

Wednesday November 23rd

Well it seems that I am not a very good birder.  Through out the year I've  chased after many interesting birds.  Many I was able to see, but those misses can be so disappointing and annoying.

 

American White Pelicans

Yesterday, I toured birding venues around Pasco County were so many interesting birds are being reported.  Started out at Hudson Beach Park. I hadn't been here since I was kid back in the 60s. Back then, my family took our yearly  vacation to visit my Grandparents, who lived in New Port Ricky. We spent a lot of time at Hudson Beach. That was before much of anything had been developed out there. The beach was really just a rocky shoreline, where we caught tiny blowfish and sea horses. There was a cinder block snack shop on site and there was very little shade. Our sunburns were terrible.

I arrived at Hudson Beach at seven-thirty to a much more modern beach setting. The air was cool and Monk Parakeets were squeaking nearby. Was hoping to be successful in adding my name to the list of birders who have sighted a rare-to-Florida Red-necked Grebe. Well after an hour of scanning, it appeared that I had dipped. There was a grebe, but it seemed to me to be a Horned Grebe. A trio of Buffleheads (first of the season for me), a pair of Bald Eagles perched together on  signage in the channel and some Mallards were present.

 

American Bittern

From here I went twelve mile north to Bayport Park and Jenkins Creek Park for the female Brewer's Blackbird. This lone Brewers has been a reliable winter visitor to this location for a few years now always in the company of Boat-tail Grackles. Back in February, Bob Pelkey and I dipped on this bird, and now I dipped on it again. Several birders reported seeing it at Bayport on the same day as my visit. Interesting birds seen here included an American Bittern at Bayport and a huge flock of American Pelicans soaring southward over Jenkins Creek.

Wood Storks

Plus a flock of resting Wood Storks at nearby Linda Pedersen Park

Next stop was Key Vista Nature Park in Holiday. Made a second stop at Hudson Beach Park first, were results were not better. Arrived at Key Vista Park a bit after eleven where I did, finally, see one of my target birds in a Red-breasted Nuthatch of maybe two. Not a Lifer for me , but the a first for me in Florida. Normally this species doesn't venture this far south in the winter, but several have now been reported in Alachua, Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Tried to get pics before they moved out of sight, but they were much to active. Another species that shouldn't be this far south was a confirmed Winter Wren.  I couldn't get a photo of the wren either but heard it several times close to the parking lot. Other interesting birds seen here included  a FOS Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Tufted Titmice.

Next stop was Philippe County Park in Safety Harbor. I've never been there before but it was quite nice. Came here to look for Brown Boobies know to seen resting on the power line towers located off-shore. Needed to use my scope, but could pick out at least three boobies among the scores of Double-crested Cormorants and Brown Pelicans on the furthest tower. Other interesting birds included Ospreys and a Bald Eagle.

 

Northern Harrier

A final stop was to look for the yellow-headed blackbird at Ackerman Park in Sarasota. It was supposed to be easy. Others had seen it that day. But I dipped. Interesting birds present included Brown-headed Cowbirds, a Northern Harrier and a few Northern Shovelers.

 

Brown-headed Cowbird

In reflection, it wasn't a bad trip.  But the most annoying thing about missing some of the birds, and you never get all of them, is that you can build up expectations based on all the successful results others have reported.

Just this past Monday I entered the Winkler Point section of Estero Bay Buffer State Park in Ft Myers. This is always a tough hike. Its usually wet and mucky, subject to hordes of mosquitoes and exposure to the elements can be draining. But the salt marshes here can host some very good birds.

Elected to give it try, based on some great, recent reports by friends on the bird activity here. The weather was good that day, cool with a light breeze, and there was no insect activity. But I could not replicate my friends list. Did see the hundred-plus American Avocets in the bay and a few Blue-winged Teal, a Green-winged Teal, Cooper's Hawk and heard a Clapper Rail,  but that was about all.

So, its actual quite unimportant, to fall a little short. Look for satisfaction in what you have accomplished. 

So What Kind of Grebe IS This?

A Visit to Harns Marsh

Wednesday December 30th

After dropping my daughter at work, I headed out to Harns Marsh in Lehigh Acres to look for a few bird species I hadn't seen for awhile. Timing is everything, though. 

Simply, I had arrived to late in the morning. Seems the activity was settling down. Prior to my arrival American Bittern, King Rail, Purple Gallinule and Marsh Wren was recorded. I dipped on all of these plus Sora, Wilson's Snipe and Least Bittern. But I did see a very buffy Grasshopper Sparrow. It was, perhaps, one of the disappearing Florida subspecies.

A well hidden Grasshopper Sparrow

Northern Harrier

Had some nice Ring-necked Ducks, a few Mottled Ducks and Blue-winged Teal, and a pair of Hooded Mergansers. Other species seen included Savannah Sparrow, Sandhill Cranes, Snail Kites, Limpkins, Belted Kingfishers, Northern Harriers, Coopers Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Robin, Common Gallinule, American Coots and Pied-billed Grebes.

Glossy Ibis

Hooded Merganser

Northern Harrier - Illinois Trip Day Three

Thursday June 16th

Headed up to Lake County and birded Ryerson Nature Center along the Des Plaines River.  This location is an excellent spot to bird in May during spring migration.  But this is June and migration is over. Still good birds were to be seen. A recent report had a cerulean warbler and I did locate a soaring Northern Harrier working over a field. Was advised later that this is a rare, but increasing sighting for northern Illinois.

Song Sparrow

Field Sparrow holds its prey

Lots of singing sparrows were seen including Field, Song and Savannah Sparrows. Had a larger darkly streaked sparrow show up with a very different song that I was not able to identify.  Initially tryed to turn it into a fox sparrow, but they only winter in the area.  Had lots of Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins, plus many Tree Swallows too. Down by the river was a family of Canada Geese and several Mallards.  Great Crested Flycatchers were very vocal and a pair of Eastern Phoebes were seen by one of the cabins.



Trail near the river



Up by the farm were more robins, House Sparrows, American Goldfinchs, Eastern Kingbirds, and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.  Other birds seen included a Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Indigo Bunting, Northern Cardinals, Common Yellowthroat, Common Grackles, a Gray Catbird and Great Blue Herons. Dipped on veery, wood thrush or any other warblers.

Next stopped at nearby Rollins Savannah Forest Preserve.  Looking for waterfowl, like mute swans and gadwells and grassland species like henslow sparrow and boblinks. Was also interested in yellow-headed blackbirds.  There are usually a few here as this is about the eastern most point of this species range. Elected to enter the preserve at the drury lane entrance because this was the closest point to the marsh were the yellow-headed blackbird are found. We were also on a dead line to reach my folks place soon.  So our stay here was much too short.

Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere.  At the large lake, basically only a large number of Mallards and a few Canada Geese could be identified as the lighting was terrible. Did see a few Great Egrets. Near the marsh were the yellow-headed blackbirds were expected, did find a Mute Swan and Tree Swallows.  But did not see or hear any yellow-headed blackbirds. As for the grassland birds had one Dickcissel and one Bobolink. The only sparrow I could identify was a lone Savannah Sparrow. Should of done much better, but time was running out on the our stop here.  Other birds sighted included Double Crested Cormorants, Red-tailed Hawk, American Goldfinchs, Orchard Orioles, Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Common Yellowthoat, American Robins, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Cardinals, Killdeer, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Eastern Bluebird and Cedar Waxwing.

American Robin at Rollins Savannah

Life at Fish Lake Beach

We arrived later at my folks place at Fish Lake Beach in Volo. We would spend the remainder of our visit here and enjoyed a great visit with family.  American Robins were everywhere here and this year no mute swans were seen out on Fish Lake.  Did see Pied-billed Grebes, Canada Geese, Mallards, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets Barn Swallow, Tree Swallows and Ring-billed Gulls on the lake. Also by the lake and high up in the trees could be heard and seen Cedar Waxwings, a female Orchard Oriole and a singing Warbling Vireo. The many bird feeders were active with House Finches, House Sparrows, Starlings, Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches. Red-winged Blackbirds and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. A pair of Green Herons were nesting in a nearby tree and neighbor had a family of House Wrens using a bird box by his porch..

Canada Geese at Fish Lake

Sora

Bronzed Cowbird

Bronzed Cowbird - note the red eye

This cold spell, along with a minor ailment, had kept me from doing very much birding for the past few days. On Tuesday the 12th, temperatures were rising up to the 50s, so I went to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary hoping for painted buntings and warblers. Arrived about 11:00am and the parking lot was already rather full. Found that the freeze had burned much of their butterfly garden. Spent about two hours and had some good sightings including a male Painted Bunting and an Ovenbird at the bunting house. There was also a good variety of warblers like American Redstarts, Palm, Yellow-Rumped, Norther Parula, Black & White and Common Yellowthroat. There was a large mixed flock of American Robins and Common Grackles just past the ponds. My list includes --Anhinga, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, White Ibis, Wood Stork, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Painted Bunting, Common Grackle

I had been very keen to try and relocate the Bronzed Cowbirds in Clewiston, so I left right from work on Wednesday, the 13th, morning to find them. I really should have gone home and get my sleep, but I wanted to collect a hit on the cowbirds for my new year count, before they dispersed. Arrived at the levee park in Clewiston about 9:00am and the temp had to be about 45 degrees, but no cowbirds were about. Figured that I would wait a reasonable time and was rewarded with a few nice ticks. Like the pair of limpkins that flew down the channel and the sora that kept calling from the marsh on the opposite side of the channel. Lots of gulls and a lone royal tern, plus brown pelicans and cormorants. Then the cowbirds arrived. Found a red eyed Bronzed Cowbird who was not to cooperative in getting his photo taken. Another all black cowbird may have been a shiny cowbird as I it seemed to lack the red eyes of the bronzed, but I could not get a definitive look. My Clewiston list - Pied-billed Grebe, Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Anhinga, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Sora, Limpkin, Killdeer, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Royal Tern, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Fish Crow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Brown-headed Cowbird

On the way home I rechecked the feeders in Alva and a nice chat with the home owners, who invited me to attend a scheduled birding event in March. Was able to Add Indigo Buntings and White-Winged Doves.

More Common Loon

A Common Loon



On the way home from work I did a little birding with the idea of maybe finding a Grasshopper Sparrow in the brush and fence lines along Domestic Street, which is off of Alico Road in San Carlos Park. I hadn't found any Grasshopper Sparrows yet this year, but last year I did find some at this location. Toward to end of the dead end street exists several man-made ponds, probably for water control. Currently they host a few grebes, coots, Mottled Ducks, lesser Scaups and occasionally Ring-necked Ducks. But today I found a lone common loon working the middle pond looking for breakfast. While attempting to get a few poor quality pictures I could hear a faint loon call, as I had heard many many years ago up in Minnesota. Because it was so low I suspect it actually came from a buddy in another nearby pond. Seems to me that it is very unusual to find these birds here as they would normally be expected in salt-water bays while they visit Florida.

Hopefully it'll stick around till tomorrow so I can start the 2010 Bird Count with a Common Loon. maybe Grasshopper Sparrow as well.





One of the ponds










+List from this location include -Lesser Scaup, Common Loon, Brown Pelican, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark