West Marsh Preserve

 Saturday May 30th

Today I went birding at the West Marsh Preserve in Lehigh Acres. Took the path around the impoundment, about 2 miles. The target today was to find a snail kite. The Everglades Snail Kite is a resident to the enviros here and at the adjacent Harn's Marsh Preserve, were their primary food source, the Apple Snail, thrives. Limpkins need the snails too. 

Snail Kite

https://ebird.org/checklist/S349384411

SOME HISTORY

Located on Romero Ave, in Lehigh Acres, the property was first obtained by the Lee County 2020 program, which buys environmentally sensitive properties for conservation, around 2008.  The land sits across the street from the Lee County Firing Range and lies between the Lee County Mosquito Control District and the Lehigh Acres Water Control District property.

Burrowing Owl

Female Snail Kite

More than eighty years ago, this entire property was part of Buckingham Fields, a United States Army training base where thousands of servicemen learned to serve as aerial gunners defending bombers during World War II. Over time, much of the 7,000-acre site was gradually developed. Today, the Lee County Mosquito Control District owns the original runway and uses it for aerial spraying with drones, helicopters, and planes. In the past, the district also used DC-3 aircraft for spraying. When we first moved to the area in the 1980s, we were startled by the noise of the DC-3s flying at treetop level over our house at dawn.

Black-necked Stilt

In the 1980s the Water Management District developed Harn's Marsh as a storm water retention site, which has become popular for walkers, fishing and birding.  

 

Snow Goose was a rarity seen in 2021,
found by Ron Bishop but only stayed a few days.

Prior to the redevelopment of the West Marsh Preserve into a water retention wetland managed as a joint partnership between Lee County and the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services District, it was a reliable location for Bachman's Sparrows. So, when the property was cleared and dredged for water retention there was great disappointment with the loss of this venue.

But the newly created wetlands have expanded our birding options with waterfowl, shorebirds, snail kites, wading birds, swallows and burrowing owls have now shown up.

My Life List for West Marsh

  

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

Myakka River State Park

Monday December 2nd

Myakka River State Parks hosts lots of large American Alligators

Snow Goose

Snow Geese are a common bird. But not in south Florida.  A few Snow Geese may migrate as far south as Florida, so now a young Snow Goose has been found near Sarasota at Myakka River State Park. 

Today was windy as a cold front was moving in. And no waterfowl were out on the water, except for a few Black-bellied Whistling Ducks seen from the bridge and the Snow Goose.  I found in the exact location, near the weir, as other birders had already reported. This same location was also hosting numbers of Rosette Spoonbills, Black-necked Stilts, White Ibis, Limpkins, Yellowlegs, vultures and some rather large alligators.

Glossy Ibis

Black-necked Stilt

Snow Goose

Other sightings included White-tailed Deer, feral Hogs, Wild Turkeys,

 Cormorants, Anhingas, 

American Robins, American Avocets, 

Long-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, American White Pelicans, Glossy Ibis and 

Wood Storks.

Least Bittern at Celery Fields

After visiting Myakka River, made a quick stop at nearby Celery Fields.  Didn't expect much due to the time of day and the winds. No waterfowl here either, but was treated to a cooperative Least Bittern and a Purple Gallinule.

Lesser Scaup at Akerman Park

Did eventually find a few ducks a Akerman Park. Some Mottled Ducks and a pair of Lesser Scaups. 

Plus some Pied-billed Grebes and a few 

Starlings, 

Brown-headed Cowbirds and Laughing Gulls

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

Road Trip - Tallahassee

Saturday January 20th

Canada Goose at Biltmore Pond

We get a few Snow Geese wintering in Florida every year, but the Ross's Goose is quite uncommon. Several have been reported at the Biltmore Avenue - North Pond in southeastern Tallahassee. A couple of years ago, Bob Pelkey and I had visited the venue to look for the Whooping Crane that had been wintering there over several years. The crane hasn't been around lately,( last reported in Feb 2016 ) but Snow Geese, Canada Geese, the Ross's Geese and a lone Greater White-fronted Goose have been using the site lately.

So, on this road trip it was onto the Biltmore Avenue hotspot on Friday afternoon after leaving Gainesville. Luckily the Snow Geese and the Ross's Geese were on the pond in a fenced in pasture when I arrived, no other waterfowl were present though.

Blue-morphed Snow Goose

Didn't really get a chance for much photography on the geese. Because the cows kept blocking the view.

Then it happened!!!

The geese all flew off. Why? 

Because a DRONE was hovering over the pond. Not the first time this has happened to me.

The Ross's Geese haven't been reported from Tallahassee since.  David and Tammy tried on three different visits to the venue without success. They got the Greater White-fronted Goose, which I dipped on.

The Ross's Geese with a Blue-morphed Snow Goose

Cedar Waxwing

One last stop before nightfall. Lake Henrietta Park is close by and occasionally rusty blackbirds can be found there. Walked the path around the lake and spotted lots of good birds we may not see in Ft Myers. Like a White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwings, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, my FOS Redheads and Canvasback.  Other birds included Barred Owl, Lesser Scaup, Rudy Duck, Wood Duck, Buffleheads, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Limpkin and American Robins. No rusty blackbirds today.

Tomorrow I'll be birding at St Marks NWR with the McQuades.

Winter Birding in North Carolina

February 9th - 12th

Mute Swans at Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina

With some encouragement from a co-worker, I set-up a three day trip to North Carolina. I had a long standing goal to see the wintering masses of  swans and geese that congregate in the Carolinas. But have been putting it off for some time. So with a little push, I pulled the trigger.

While planning this trip, I expanded the itinerary to include venues around Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. Stayed at a hotel on the beach near Kitty Hawk. Being off-season the rates were very good.

Day One - Virginia

Bufflehead at Pleasure House Point - Virginia Beach

Arrived in Norfolk, Virginia  just past noon and was at my first venue within the hour. Checked out Pleasure House Point in Virginia Beach. A good spot for waterfowl and passerines. Lots of Buffleheads and Gadwalls, plus American Wigeons, Red-breasted Mergansers, Ruddy Ducks, Cormorants, Bonaparte's Gulls, Great Black Back Gulls, Carolina Chickadees, and Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow at Pleasure House Point, Virginia Beach

Bonaparte's Gull at Grandview Nature Preserve, Hampton, Virginia

Then onto Grandview Nature Preserve in Hampton, Virginia. The preserve stretches along several miles of coast line and was an excellent spot for viewing sea ducks.  The weather conditions were a bit rough with temps in the thirties, overcast skies and gusty winds. The wetlands that sit between the street parking and the beach held Canada Geese, Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers, American Black Ducks and Mallards.  At the beach I had a Lifer in sighting several Red-throated Loons. Also had a suspected red-necked grebe. Did have a lone Horned Grebe, many Ringed-billed, Bonaparte's and Great Black Backed Gulls and all three Scoters. Lots of Buffleheads, plus a small flock of Long-tailed Ducks flying-in to join a few Common Goldeneye.  Also large numbers of Sanderlings and Dunlin.  The much hoped for snow buntings and lapwing longspurs were not present at the expected location.  Perhaps due to the presence of a hunting Northern Harrier

Day Two - North Carolina

The weather conditions for the day have worsen. Colder, windier with a very heavy surf. On this day I visited two new venues. Mattamuskeet NWR in Hyde County, NC and Pettigrew SP in Creswell, NC. Before reaching the refuge several hard flocks of Snow Geese and Tundra Swans were seen resting in farm fields. The refuge features lots of Canada Geese, Tundra Swans, Mallards, Northern Pintails,  Northern Shovelers, American Coots, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, American Black Ducks, Greater Yellowlegs, DC Cormorants, Great Egrets, Northern Harriers, a Cackling Goose and even a pair of Mute Swans. One nice sighting was a mixed flock of birds including Carolina Chickadees, Cardinals, Downy Woodpecker, Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets, a Fox Sparrow and American Robins.

Tundra Swans at Mattamuskeet NWR

Northern Pintail

Tundra Swan

Canada Goose

Tundra Swans at rest in Farm Field - North Carolina

At Pettigrew, spent time on the very cold but birdy boardwalk at the boat launch location. More Robins and several Sparrows including White-throated, Savannah, Swamp Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. Also Carolina Chickadees, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmice, Cardinals, Blue Jays, American Kestrel and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Even flushed an American Woodcock. No waterfowl could be seen on the choppy lake.

Swamp Sparrow at Pettigrew State Park

Dark-eyed Junco at Pettigrew State Park

Day Three - The Outer Banks

Nasty weather conditions continue. Visited two new venues today. Currituck Heritage Park in  Corolla, NC and a drive south on the Outer Banks terminating at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

White Ibis at Currituck

 in Buxton, NC. At Currituck I had many of the same waterfowl - Tundra Swans, Canada Geese, Buffleheads, Red-breasted Mergansers, American Wigeons and Mallard hybrids, More Ring-billed Gulls, White Ibis and Savannah Sparrows. On the drive out to Cape Hatteras saw hundreds of Snow Geese flying northward. The wetlands area at the lighthouse featured more Canada Geese, Mallards, American Black Ducks, Redheads, Ring-necked Ducks, Green-winged Teal and a Wilson's Snipe   

A surprise find of a water moccasin on a cold day at Currituck

Hybrid Mallards

American Robin

Song Sparrow

Whale Skull on Display at Currituck

Lighthouse at Currituck

Redhead at Hatteras Lighthouse

White-tailed Deer at Lighthouse

Snow Goose ( formerly Blue Goose)

Snow Geese

Great Black Back Gulls

Trip Species List (89)
Snow Goose
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Brown Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Bald Eagle
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Wilson's Snipe
American Woodcock
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Forster's Tern
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch