florida winter birding in the sunshine state sat 30 jan wed 10 … · 2016. 4. 29. · and another...

THE TRAVELLING

Naturalist

Florida Winter Birding in the Sunshine State

Sat 30 Jan–Wed 10 Feb 2016

Travelling Naturalist Trip Report Florida 30 Jan-10 Feb 2016

2 • © The Travelling Naturalist

Clockwise from top left: Barred Owls at sunset • Florida Scrub Jay meets the Limosans • A plethora of waterbirds • Wood Storks on guard duty • Confiding Sora • Rainbow-coloured Painted Bunting. Photos © David Fairhurst

Report compiled by tour leader: David Fairhurst ____________________________________________________________________________

Florida | America’s Sunshine State Leaders – Arnoud van den Berg & David Fairhurst Day 1 After a trouble-free journey we arrived in Orlando in the early evening. American immigration and hire vehicle formalities taken care with we arrived at our hotel in Titusville at c7pm US time. Day 2 We started with a brief introduction to some of the more familiar birds we would be seeing by spending half an hour in the car park of the hotel getting to know species such as Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Grey Catbird, Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler and, passing overhead in good numbers, White Ibises and Tricoloured Herons. From here we travelled the short distance to the Indian River bridge, at the start of Merrit Island. The parking area and river views here were heaving with birds and it was a job to keep track of what everybody was seeing as new birds were coming thick and fast. Species added here included our first Laughing Gulls, Lesser Scaups, wonderfully confiding Wood Storks, Royal Terns, Ring-billed Gulls, ubiquitous Western Ospreys and everybody’s favourite Black Skimmers. An American Oystercatcher, a 1

st winter Bonaparte’s Gull and several Great Black-backed Gulls were our only

sightings during the trip of these species. Also here were several small groups of Common Bottlenose Dolphins. Once on Merrit Island proper we birded the roadside, finding new birds such as Eastern Phoebe, Black and Turkey Vultures (many 100s were seen every day of these two species), Carolina Wren, Northern Mockingbird and, likely due to the colder weather further north in American, big numbers of Tree Swallows and American Robins moved south overhead in large flocks. We soon located an incredibly confiding pair of Florida Scrub Jays and we were treated as one of the pair used our heads as a hunting perch, enabling some wonderfully funny photos to be taken! Located also on Merrit Island is the fantastic Black Point wildlife drive. Here we enjoyed superb views of a pair of Hooded Merganser, many Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebes, Reddish Egret, and our only sighting of a small group of winter-plumaged American Avocets. One particularly incredible feeding frenzy held masses of stunning Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibises, Wood Storks and Snowy Egrets. Further on, on a muddy pool, were a nice selection of waders including Western and Least Sandpipers, Red Knot, Short-billed Dowitcher, Grey Plover, Willets and a Marbled Godwit. We took a ‘subway lunch’ to the picnic tables at Merrit Island visitor centre before having a short stroll along the boardwalk trail there. We were rewarded with our first of almost daily sightings of ones and twos of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and at the centre’s bird feeders we got outrageous views of a stunning male



Painted Bunting. Hidden well in vegetation it took the bird some time to show himself but when he did - WOW! Day 3 We packed our bags and headed southwest first thing this morning and arrived at Lake Tohopekaliga by 8.30am. In the early morning sunshine, we took a short walk along a small section of the lake margin and located our first of several young Snail Kites hunting there. The Sandhill Cranes here gave us a shock as many were feeding in gardens; we found an active crane nest and had the wonderful experience of watching the male and female change over at the nest. Other bits and bobs seen here including a wonderful showy Limpkin, Marsh Rabbits, a recently returned Purple Martin, Common Yellowthroats and an Orange-crowned Warbler. We headed south, stopping to see things on the way such as a male Northern Harrier, Eastern Meadowlarks, some superb Black Swallowtail butterflies, several Wild Turkeys and a stunning Red-headed Woodpecker. Our picnic lunch was taken on the shores of Lake Kissimee in glorious sunshine and serenaded by many 100s of Boat-tailed Grackles. The area here held yet more Black Skimmers, many American Moorhens and a small group of Forster’s Terns. At the parkland nearby Arnoud (eventually!) located a Great Horned Owl, whilst the rest of the group enjoyed our first decent mixed warbler flock containing several beautiful Black-and-white and Yellow-throated Warblers. We spent the last couple of hours of the afternoon at the Three Lakes water management area where, after a bit of effort, we were rewarded with amazing views of a pair of Barred Owls. Also here was a stunning male White-eyed (Eastern) Towhee, but unfortunately no sign of the hoped-for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Day 4 After a buffet breakfast at our hotel we took the Avon Park school bus road to the Lake Wales Ridge State Park. The beautifully quiet pine woods here were shrouded in fog in the early part of the morning, but this soon burnt off; apart from a single park ranger we didn’t see another soul all morning as we explored the sandy tracks through the forest. The trees and bushes here held a couple of pairs of Brown-headed Nuthatches and amongst the small bird flocks we located a Chipping Sparrow, our first Ruby-crowned Kinglet and an elusive Hermit Thrush. At the picturesque Lake Godwin we had superb views of a huge Palamedes Swallowtail butterfly, but the skulking Marsh Wrens refused to show. After a subway lunch we explored the open plains southeast of Sebring - toward the small town of Lorida around the area of Arbuckle Creek. The fields here held good numbers of Loggerhead Shrikes and Eastern Meadowlarks and we located a cracking Northern Crested Caracara perched in a tree; whilst watching this a single Black-bellied Whistling Duck was spotted in a small pool with a herd of cows. We stumbled upon a large landfill site here and after asking for permission to access (which was granted) we ‘enjoyed’ perhaps the most impressive bird spectacle of the trip: over 2000 Turkey Vultures and 50 Bald Eagles feeding on the dump! With no hunting within the site, a superb group of Wild Turkeys gave very close views. Also around the dump were a flock of c. 100 Brown-headed Cowbirds, one Shiny Cowbird and, in an overgrown ditch, at least four Savannah Sparrows. Day 5 After loading the minibus first thing in the morning, we continued to head southwest at first to the Archibald research station. Another stunning Red-headed Woodpecker was located in an area of dead pines just outside the reserve and also here our first Yellow-shafted Flicker hammered away at a rotting tree trunk. Further south a couple of roadside stops yielded another superb Northern Crested Caracara (this one feeding with Black and Turkey Vultures on road-kill), another two Red-headed Woodpeckers and another Northern Flicker. We collected a subway lunch from La Belle before continuing southwest to Corkscrew Swamp. We picnic-lunched in the parking lot (getting excellent views of a Hermit Thrush), before spending the whole afternoon exploring the boardwalk through the Bald Cypresses. The trail here was excellent and it wasn’t long before we spotted a ridiculously confiding Anhinga, literally swimming under our feet, and a very showy American Bittern! The feeders at the start of the boardwalk held another couple of male Painted Buntings along with a few Brown-headed Cowbirds and several Red-bellied Woodpeckers. The warbler flocks here were very rewarding with Black-and-white and Yellow-throated Warblers, Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos amongst the large numbers of yet more Myrtle Warblers. Beautiful



Northern Parulas were new for the trip along with Great Crested Flycatchers, but the small bird highlight was without doubt a cracking Louisiana Waterthrush. We heard several Pileated Woodpeckers calling but despite searching we could not see any. After a superb afternoon we continued to our hotel in Naples. Day 6 Our first stop this morning was for the wonderful Burrowing Owls at Cape Coral. In the most unlikely setting (sandwiched between a housing estate and a sports ground!), we had superb views of a couple of pairs of owls at the entrance to their burrows. Several groups of noisy Monk Parakeets had nests in the floodlights and a small group of Cedar Waxwings flew over. From here we travelled to the Lee County Manatee Park and we weren’t disappointed. We watched about 20 West Indian Manatees surfacing, sunbathing and swimming about. The warm water from the nearby power station enables these creatures to stay around during the winter whilst the majority of manatees head south to warmer water. We collected a very tasty deli-sandwich on Sanibel Island before lunching in the warm sunshine at the Ding Darling reserve. After lunch we took the driving trail several kilometres around the mangroves and, despite the high tide, saw a nice variety of birds with good numbers of American White Pelicans, Western Ospreys, White Ibises and wading species such as Short-billed Dowitcher, Red Knot, Willet and Dunlin. Overhead we spotted a few fantastic Magnificent Frigatebirds. We Left Sanibel Island late afternoon and started heading south, stopping at a few beaches as we headed back toward our hotel in Naples. At Bunche Beach we located the vagrant American Flamingo standing alone in the shallow water - with the backdrop of the fly-over to Sanibel Island it looked rather strange! Our final stop of the day was a beach on Estero Island with a wonderfully confiding group of Black Skimmers, Royal Terns, Laughing Gulls and a single Cabot’s Tern. Day 7 The weather had changed dramatically since yesterday, with the temperature almost halving now to the low teens Celsius. With our bags packed we took the short drive south to Marko Island and Tigertail Beach. Once on the island we had another look at a small colony of Burrowing Owls and once again these birds were being squeezed by buildings. We spent a wonderful morning here in the sunshine watching the birds in the creeks and mangroves. Amongst the many wading birds we located several rare and declining Piping Plovers, a few sporting colour rings; a lovely Reddish Egret showed well whilst Brown Pelicans plunged for fish around us. Between the car park and the beach was a superb tower hide right next to an Ospreys’ nest enabling use to get incredibly close views of the birds. After collecting a sandwich we headed east along Route 41 (Tamiami Trail) and into the Everglades. We lunched at the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk at the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve before spending several hours exploring the boardwalk. A nice close Ovenbird gave excellent views and amongst the warbler flocks were Yellow-throated and White-eyed Vireos and a stunning male American Redstart. The highlight of the afternoon was a huge Pileated Woodpecker that, after giving us the run around, eventually afforded wonderful ‘scope views. Roosting in the bushes over the pool at the end of the boardwalk was a cracking Black-crowned Night Heron. Late afternoon saw us continuing east and then south to our hotel in Florida City. Day 8 After a snacky breakfast at the hotel we headed south over the bridge and onto Key Largo. Once on the island the roadside poles held our only two Broad-winged Hawks of the trip and the roadside wires held the surprisingly good-looking White-crowned Pigeons. We spent most of the morning exploring the trails at Hammock Botanical State Park. The warm, wet and cloudy conditions had brought the mosquitos out in force, but we still managed some great birding. The biggest surprise of the morning was a couple of incredibly impressive Black Witch Moths roosting in a concrete underpass. We picnic-lunched back on the mainland at the Everglades visitor centre, but not before paying homage to the most southerly Purple Martin box in the US, then headed into the National Park and to the Royal Palms boardwalk and wetland trail. On the roadside just before the parking area we were treated to super views of a confiding American Bittern. Around the visitor trail we saw our first Purple Gallinules and Least Bittern, plus plenty of Alligators and a large Southern Water Snake. Our last stop of the day outside the National Park and just north of Homestead was the small reserve at Castellow Hammock. There were a few wintering hummingbirds here but the dull cool conditions were not very conducive and we only managed poor views of the wintering male Buff-bellied Hummer.



Day 9 The majority of the day was spent back inside the Everglades National Park exploring the various ponds, lakes and boardwalks. The boardwalk at West Lake was particularly productive with a super warbler flock here; amongst the regular birds were American Redstart, plus Prairie, Black-throated Blue and Black-Throated Green Warblers! Further down the road toward Flamingo we stopped at another lake and were rewarded with a smart adult pale-morph Short-tailed Hawk circling over the woodland. We lunched at the resort of Flamingo and were amazed at the numbers of skimmers, Royal and Caspian Terns, Laughing Gulls and various waders roosting on the offshore sandbar. A close Osprey with a freshly caught fish proved interesting but grisly watching. After a walk around the large campsite we retraced our steps out of the National Park and spent the last couple of hours of the afternoon near Black Point Park overlooking a few freshwater pools and another rubbish dump! New birds here included Green-winged Teal and Lesser Yellowlegs. Day 10 With our bags packed and a lovely sunny morning we headed north and back to the reserve at Castellow Hammock. Now with the sun out there was much hummingbird activity and it wasn’t long before we located at least six busy Ruby-throated and the cracking male Buff-bellied Hummingbirds. One of the highlights of the trip was the warm morning sunshine here with the hummingbird and warbler action. Further north we stopped for a couple of hours at Markham Park and found a few stunning Spot-breasted Orioles but despite hunting for it we couldn’t find the wintering Caribbean Western Spindalis. Further north again, and at Boca Raton we dropped our bags at the hotel and had an excellent lunch in the café before driving the short distance to the wonderful Green Cay Nature Reserve. The boardwalks here cross a series of man-made pools, islands and reedbeds and were heaving with birds. It wasn’t just the number of birds that was impressive but how incredibly close they were. It was not long before we were getting jaw-dropping views of Sora Rails, Green Herons, American and Least Bitterns, Purple Gallinules and Blue-winged Teal. Night at Boca Raton Day 11 Our last day in Florida and another amazing boardwalk reserve this time at the Wakodahatchee reserve. Similar to the Green Cay reserve this is another man-made wetland, criss-crossed with boardwalks. We spent a few hours here this morning getting yet more outrageous views (binoculars not needed!) of wetland species including Anhinga’s with newly hatched chicks, Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills just inches away, good numbers of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and masses of egrets, herons and ibises. We returned to the hotel late morning for a final bag pack and lunch, before a short stroll at the Loxahatchee reserve, then we headed south to Miami Airport. Arriving late afternoon at the airport we dropped the minibus off before checking in and an overnight flight back to London.



Systematic List of Species Black-bellied Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis

A single in a pool along the Arbuckle Creek Rd on 02/02 and at least 30 seen at Wakodahatchee. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus I

Two seen at Wakodahatchee and a pair by the roadside near there. Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata I

Common Gadwall Anas strepera

A single recorded on 07/02 was our only sighting. American Wigeon Anas americana

A large flock numbering several thousand was seen distantly on Merritt Island. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

A pair on the 02/02 near St.Cloud was our only sighting. Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula

Small numbers recorded most days. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors

About a dozen on Merritt Island on 31/01 and about 20 noted at Green Cay, with a similar number next day at Wakodahatchee.

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata A small number noted on Merritt Island on 31/01

Northern Pintail Anas acuta Common on Merritt Island on 31/01 and a single recorded on 07/02.

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis Our only sighting was a flock of about twenty on 07/02.

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Several large flocks numbering many thousands were seen on Merritt Island and at the Indian River on 31/01 and also recorded on four other dates at a variety of sites.

Black Scoter Melanitta americana Five females showed well on the sea at Estero Beach on 04/02 Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus

A pair seen along the Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island on 31/01. Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Three recorded on two dates. Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo

Recorded on three dates but by far the best views where near the rubbish dump outside Sebring. Great Northern Diver (Common Loon) Gavia immer

On 31/01 two were swimming and diving at the Indian River, Merritt Island. Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Common to numerous in all wetlands and seen on almost every day. Horned (Slavonian) Grebe Podiceps auritus

Six were recorded on Merritt Island on 31/01. American Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber One at Bunche Beach on 04/04 Wood Stork Mycteria americana

Seen every day and in all areas. American White Ibis Eudocimus albus

Numerous and seen every day, usually in high numbers of 100s to 1000s, with sizeable flocks in unexpected suburban or wooded places.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Common and seen every day.

Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja Recorded on six dates at a variety of wetland sites but the largest numbers were seen on 31/01 on Merritt Island with at least 40 noted.

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus One showed superbly at Corkscrew Swamp on 03/02 with another seen by the roadside at the Royal Palms in the Everglades on 06/02 and then four singles were seen at Green Cay 08/02

Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis



One seen at the Royal Palms in the Everglades on 06/02 then at least three at Green Cay on 08/02 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Recorded in small numbers on four dates. Green Heron Butorides virescens

Seen on six dates with the largest number of at least ten at Green Cay on 08/02 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Numerous and seen every day Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

Common and seen every day Great White Heron Ardea herodias occidentalis One seen at Flamingo, Everglades NP on 07/02 (American) Great Egret Ardea [alba] egretta

Numerous and seen every day Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens

On 31/01 six adults were watched along Blackpoint Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island and a single was at Tigertail Beach on 05/02

Tricoloured Heron Egretta tricolor Common and seen every day,

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Common and seen every day, except on 01/02

Snowy Egret Egretta thula Common and seen every day

American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Recorded on six dates, with hundreds noted on Merritt Island and at Flamingo in the Everglades

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Much less numerous than the species above but still recorded on five dates with the largest numbers being several hundred noted around Naples and Sanibel Island on 04/02

Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens Half a dozen were seen on Sanibel Island on 04/02 and at least two at Tigertail Beach on 06/02. Northern Gannet Morus bassanus Many hundreds recorded offshore at Merritt Island on 31/01 Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus

Common to numerous and seen every day Anhinga Anhinga anhinga

Common or numerous and seen every day Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Abundant and flying everywhere every day with huge numbers (1000s) noted at the rubbish tip near Sebring. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

Numerous and seen every day, often together with Turkey Vultures, but perhaps in slightly lower numbers. Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Numerous and seen every day. Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Small numbers seen on six dates with the largest number of over 50 on the rubbish dump near Sebring on 02/02. Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis

Four immatures gave splendid close views along the southern shore of Tohopokeliga lake, St Cloud on 01/02 Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius

A total of 10 was seen on five days, all immatures or female: five on Merritt Island on 4/2, two at Kissimmee on 5/2, one along Tamiami Trail on 9/2, one at Green Cay on 12/2 and one at Wakodahatchee on 13/2.

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Seven individuals (6m1f) were seen on three dates.

Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Singles seen on five dates. Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus

Numerous and seen (and heard) every day. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus

Two where seen along the Key Largo road on 06/02. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus

A pale-morph adult was seen near Flamingo in the Everglades on 07/02 and a juvenile gave superb views as it hunted from the treetops at Castellow Hammock the next day.



Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis A single over the road north of St.Cloud on 01/02 then two circling over Sebring next day were our only sightings.

Sora Porzana carolina Four at Green Cay on 08/02 and two at Wakodahatchee the next day all gave amazingly close views.

Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica Two at the Royal Palm boardwalk in Everglades NP on 06/02 with three at Green Cay on 08/02 and then at least ten found at Wakodahatchee on 09/02.

Grey-headed (Purple) Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus Recorded at Green Cay and at Wakodahatchee. Genetic studies have shown that that these birds are of the race poliocephalus, now called Grey-headed Swamphen (www.aba.org/birding/birding453pranty.pdf)

American Moorhen (Common Gallinule) Gallinula galeata Common and seen on all but two dates.

American Coot Fulica americana Locally numerous and seen on every day but two.

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis Common in central Florida from 01/02 – 03/02. Flocks included a few extremely confiding family groups walking through St Cloud yards and at Istokpoga lake, just a few metres away from people. Breeding birds are of the race pratensis.

Limpkin Aramus guarauna Small numbers recorded on six dates at a variety of wetland sites. American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

Two at the Indian River on 31/01 was our only sighting. American Avocet Recurvirostra americana

On 31/01 ten were foraging along Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island. Grey (Black-bellied) Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Seen on three dates: including along the Blackpoint Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island and Tigertail Beach. Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

Ten recorded at Tigertail Beach on 05/02. Killdeer Charadrius vociferus

Common and seen and/or heard on most dates. Piping Plover Charadrius melodus

Eight were recorded at Tigertail Beach on 05/02. Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata Small numbers noted on four dates. Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus

Recorded on three dates with the largest numbers on Sanibel Island on 05/02. Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa

One along the Blackpoint Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island on 31/01 and then over thirty at Flamingo on 07/02. Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Small numbers seen on four dates. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

A single on 07/02 was our only sighting. Western Willet Tringa semipalmata inornata Seen on four dates at a variety of coastal locations. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Ones and twos recorded on five dates. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Recorded on four dates with large numbers feeding on the tide debris along the gulf coast on two dates. Red Knot Calidris canutus

Two on Merrit Island on 31/01 and at least a dozen at Sanibel Island on 04/02. Sanderling Calidris alba

Recorded on three dates with large numbers feeding on the tide debris along the gulf coast on two dates. Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri

Common on Merritt Island and at Tigertail Beach. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla

About 40 recorded on Merritt Island on 31/01 and then two more seen at Tigertail Beach on 05/02. (American) Dunlin Calidris alpina hudsonia

Recorded on four dates.



Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Numerous at the Indian River, Merritt Island, Estro Beach, Joe Overstreet Landing, Kissimmee and the Flamingo spit, Everglades.

Bonaparte’s Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia A 1

st winter bird on the Indian River on 31/01.

Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla Many noted on five dates, numerous around coastal sites.

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Numerous and seen every day, except on 03/02.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Five adults near the bridge across the Indian River, Titusville on 31/01.

American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus Three 1

st winter birds were on Estero Beach on 04/02.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Five of various ages seen on the gulf coast at Estero Beach on 04/02.

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Twenty on Merritt Island on 31/01 and ten noted at Flamingo on 07/02.

(American) Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus maximus Common and seen on four days: one on Merritt Island on 31/01, at least 60 on Estro Beach on 04/02 10 and many hundreds on the Flamingo spit on 07/02.

Cabot’s Tern Thalasseus acuflavida Two on Estro Beach on 04/02 roosting with Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns.

Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri Three first winter birds on Merritt Island and 31/01 and four on 01/02 were seen at Joe Overstreet Landing, Kissimmee.

Feral Rock Dove Columba livia Seen on most days, often in good numbers.

White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala Excellent views of several on Key Largo on 06/02 and in the Everglades NP on 07/02. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Common and seen most days. Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina

Good views of a pair on Merritt Island on 31/01 and thereafter just brief flight views on three other dates. Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

Numerous and locally abundant with many seen every day. White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Recorded on six dates, but much commoner in the south of the state. Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus One at Joe Overstreet Landing, Kissimmee on 01/02. Barred Owl Strix varia

In the afternoon of 01/02 two gave wonderful views at Three Lakes. Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

Four at Cape Coral, Ft Myers on 04/02 and two on Marco Island the next day all gave incredibly close views. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Three at Castellow Hammock Preserve on 06/02 were hard to catch up with in the dull conditions but six there

two days later performed wonderfully in the early morning sunshine. Buff-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia yucatanensis Superb views of the wintering male at Castellow Hammock on 06/02 and 08/02. Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon

Common and seen every day. Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus

A single at Joe Overstreet Landing on 01/02 then another perched on a dead tree along the main road near the Archbold institute on 03/02. A few km further down the road to Old Venus two birds gave superb views.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus Common and seen and/or heard every day and at almost every site.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius Recorded in ones and twos on seven dates at a variety of sites.

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Noted in small numbers almost daily.



Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus One was watched excavating a hole in dead trees at the Archbold institute south of Lake Placid on 03/02 with another along the road to Old Venus the same date.

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus Two flew over the mini-bus on the way from Corkscrew Swamp on 03/02, after we had heard several calling there but failed to see them! One gave wonderful views along the Big Cypress Boardwalk on 05/02 and another showed well at Wakodahatchee on 09/02.

Northern Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway On 02/02 one was seen perched near Lorida. The next day along the road from Lake Placid to LaBelle, several where seen including one feeding on roadkill close to the mini-bus.

American Kestrel Falco sparverius Common and seen every day.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus Two singles recorded on two dates, including one that caught a small wader right in front of us on Merritt Island.

Nanday Parakeet Aratinga nenday I One in flight over Markham Park on 08/02.

Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus I Recorded on four dates with the largest numbers at the Cape Coral Burrowing Owl site.

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Common and seen most days.

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus Small numbers seen on four dates often mixed in with the warbler flocks.

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Common.

White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus Small numbers seen on all but three dates.

Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons Three seen along the Big Cypress Boardwalk on 05/02.

Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius Up to three recorded on four dates often in mixed warbler flocks.

Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata Recorded in small numbers almost every day

Florida Scrub Jay Aphelocoma coerulescens A pair on Merritt Island on 31/01, one of which used our heads as perches whilst it hunted, wonderful!

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos

Common. Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus

Common. Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

Two flock numbering c40 birds were seen at Cape Coral on 04/02 then a flock of c60 birds around our hotel on 09/02.

Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor Small numbers recorded on four dates, often with the warbler flocks.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia One with large numbers of Tree Swallows over a pool in the Everglades on 07/02.

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Numerous and seen almost every day. Numbers were highest on 31/01 on Merritt Island where flocks of 100s flew south during the morning.

Purple Martin Progne subis Small numbers recorded on five dates. A pair was present at the southernmost nesting box of the mainland in Florida (the vegetable shop of Robert at Florida City).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Excellent views of birds at Green Cay and Wakodahatchee.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Only seen on two dates.

Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris One heard but not seen at Lake Godwin in the Lake Wales Ridge State Park on 02/02.

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus



Regularly heard but only a few seen well. House Wren Troglodytes aedon

Record in small numbers on four dates. Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea

Common. Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta pusilla

Four of these superb birds were seen at Lake Wales Ridge State Park on 02/02. Grey Catbird Dumetella carolinensis

Seen daily. Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos

Common. Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum

One showed well feeding on the lawn at Everglades Visitor Centre. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis I

Half a dozen seen on two dates around Florida City. Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris I

Common with flocks noted every day. Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

Recorded on three dates in reasonable numbers. Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus

Singles at Lake Wales Ridge State Park and Corkscrew Swamp. American Robin Turdus migratorius

Numerous, migrating or foraging in large flocks, from 31/01 to 04/02, then small numbers at Wakodahatchee on 09/02.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus Common and seen most days.

American Goldfinch Spinus tristis Small numbers seen on three dates.

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla Singles on three dates.

Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla One at Corkscrew Swamp was well watched and photographed on 03/02. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia

Small numbers seen on seven dates. Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata

Singles at Tohopokeliga lake, St Cloud on 01/02 and Castellow Hammock on 06/02. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas

Seen on six dates in small numbers. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla Two males and at least four females were seen on three dates at a variety of sites. Northern Parula Setophaga americana

Seen in small numbers on five dates. Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens

A single stunning male gave wonderful views along a boardwalk in the Everglades NP on 07/02. Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum palmarum

Western-type birds were common and locally abundant and seen every day at a variety of sites. A single bird at Joe Overstreet Landing on 01/02 showed characteristics of Eastern Palm Warbler.

Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus Common or numerous on four dates.

Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler Setophaga coronata Common or abundant and seen every day.

Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica Small numbers recorded on five dates. Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor paludicola Small numbers recorded from 06/02 to 09/02 around the Everglades. Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens

A single in the Everglades on 07/02. Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna



Small numbers recorded on four dates. Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis

At least three in Markham Park on 08/02. Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus

Common and seen almost every day. Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis

One with large numbers of Brown-headed Cowbirds at the rubbish dump on 02/02. Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater

Seen in good numbers at the rubbish dump south of Sebring then four females around the feeders at Corkscrew Swamp the next day.

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula Numerous and seen on almost every day.

Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major Numerous to abundant and seen every day.

Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana Singles on Merrit Island and at the Tohopekaliga shore.

Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Four at THE rubbish dump on 02/02.

Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina One in the Lake Wales Ridge State Park on 02/02. [White-eyed] Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni

A cracking male seen at Three Lakes on 01/02, then at least half a dozen in Lake Wales Ridge State Park on 02/02.

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Common.

Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea On 7/2, an immature male frequented the feeder at Corkscrew boardwalk.

Painted Bunting Passerina ciris Small numbers recorded around the feeders at Merrit Island VC, Corkscrew Swam VC and in the Everglades.

MAMMALS West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus

At least 20 were seen and heard (thanks to underwater microphones) at Manatee Park, Ft Myers on 04/02. Common Bottlenose Dolphins Tursiops truncatus

Many (40+) were seen off Merrit Island on 31/01. Eastern Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis

Common and seen almost every day. Sherman’s Eastern Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger shermani Two were seen well in the Lake Wales Ridge State Park on 02/02. Marsh Rabbit Sylvilagus palustris

On 01/01 six were foraging on the Tohopekaliga shore. Wild Boar Sus scrofa

Two on Merrit Island on 31/01. White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus

Seen briefly from the mini bus on 01/02 and 05/02. Northern Raccoon Procyon lotor

One gave superb roadside views on Merrit Island on 31/01. Nine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctu

Perhaps due to the rainfall a few days before we arrived, at least six were seen feeding on roadside grass verges on Merrit Island on 31/01. [Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana ]

Two dead on the roadside on Merrit Island on 31/01.



REPTILES seen during our trip Gopher Tortoise Gopherus poryphemus Florida Red-belly Turtle Pseudemys nelsoni Florida Yellow-belly Turtle Pseudemys floridana peninsularis Florida Softshell Turtle Apolone ferox Florida Watersnake Nerodia fasciata pictiventris Green Iguana Iguana iguana I Brown Anole Anolis sagrei I. American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis Green Turtle Chelonia mydas Southern Water Snake Nerodia fasciata BUTTERFLIES seen during the trip [in random order] Palamedes Swallowtail Papilio palamedes Black Swallowtail Papilio ployxenes Zebra Heliconian Heliconius charitonia Julia Dryas julia Great Southern White Ascia monuste Florida White Appias drusilla Orange-barred Sulphur Phoebis philea Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae Common Buckeye Junonia coenia White Peacock Anartia jatrophae Monarch Danaus plexippus Ruddy Daggerwing Marpesia petreus

SOME OF THE DRAGONFLIES Halloween Pennant Celithemis eponina Four-Spotted Pennant Brachymesia gravida Roseate Skimmer Orthemis ferruginea Green Darner Anax junius Great Pondhawk Erythemis vesiculosa

florida winter birding in the sunshine state sat 30 jan wed 10 … · 2016. 4. 29. · and another...

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