Florida Birding Trip Report (28th March - 9th April 2016) - Species List and Locations

Day 1 – Orlando

Anhinga – 28^th March – Orlando Airport (Swimming in one of the airport pools) Numerous throughout the trip.

Palm Warbler – 28^th March – Orlando (Quality Suites Lake Buena Vista Hotel) Migrating flock in trees lining the car park. Most common warbler, males and females seen. Numerous throughout.

Blue-headed Vireo – 28^th March – Orlando (Quality Suites Lake Buena Vista Hotel) One bird seen foraging in the trees lining the car park. Only bird of the trip.

Wood Stork – 28^th March – Orlando (Turkey Lake Road) Bird foraging at the side of the road by a pool. Seen in good numbers during the trip.

Other birds: Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mourning Dove, Great Blue Heron, Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Cedar Waxwing

Also: Collared Dove, Osprey, House Sparrow

Blue-headed Vireo

Day 2 – Orlando & Merritt Island

Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 29^th March – Orlando (Quality Suites Lake Buena Vista Hotel) One foraging in the trees in the car park. One of two seen during the trip - the second at Mead Botanical Garden.

Wild Turkey – 29^th March – Orlando (Martin Anderson Beachline Expy) Seen from the car on route from Orlando to Merritt Island. Several seen throughout the trip including displaying males. The majority seen around the Three Lakes WMA area.

Black-necked Stilt – 29^th March – St John’s River (Off East Colonial Drive) Two birds feeding in the vegetation. A handful seen throughout the trip.

Savannah Sparrow – 29^th March – St John’s River (Off East Colonial Drive) Feeding at the side of the river. A handful seen throughout the trip.

Eastern Meadowlark – 29^th March – St John’s River (Off East Colonial Drive) Two birds foraging and singing at the side of the river. Relatively common in grassland habitat.

Belted Kingfisher – 29^th March – St John’s River (Off East Colonial Drive) Bird seen hovering and diving for fish. Relatively common in wetland areas.

White Ibis – 29^th March – Merritt Island (A Max Brewer Memorial Parkway) Seen from parking area off the road, foraging by the side of the river. Abundant throughout.

Painted Bunting– 29^th March – Merritt Island (Visitor Centre feeders) Female feeding on the seed. 4 seen throughout the trip including male at Felts Audubon Preserve.

Yellow-throated Warbler – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Visitor Centre) Adult feeding in large tree by car park. 3 seen throughout the trip.

Reddish Egret – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Scrub Jay Loop Trail) Fishing in the water off the trail. A small handful seen throughout the trip at coastal locations.

Roseate Spoonbill – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Scrub Jay Loop Trail) Flying over. A small handful seen throughout.

Florida Scrub Jay – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Scrub Jay Ridge) Two individuals showing well at the side of the trail. Only 2 of the whole trip. Endemic to Florida.

Brown Pelican – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Manatee Watch Point) A small group fishing in the canal. Several seen during the trip.

Mottled Duck– 29^th March – Merritt Island (Black Point Wildlife Drive) Pure bird seen feeding in the water. Several encountered during the trip.

American Coot – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Black Point Wildlife Drive) Dabbling in the water. Numerous throughout the trip.

Common Gallinule – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Black Point Wildlife Drive) Foraging in the water. Extremely numerous throughout.

American White Pelican – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Black Point Wildlife Drive) Two sat on the edge of the water. Two groups seen during the trip.

Marbled Godwit – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Black Point Wildlife Drive) Three feeding in the water. 4 seen during the trip - another at Fort de Soto.

American Avocet – 29^th March – Merritt Island (Black Point Wildlife Drive) Two feeding in the water. Only two seen during the trip.

Red-shouldered Hawk – 29^th March – Merritt Island (A Max Brewer Memorial Parkway) One perched on a pylon. Several seen during the trip.

Common Ground Dove – 29^th March – Merritt Island (A Max Brewer Memorial Parkway) One feeding underneath a pylon. A small handful seen on the trip.

Loggerhead Shrike – 29^th March – Merritt Island (A Max Brewer Memorial Parkway overlooking the Indian River) One perched on the wires. Several seen on the trip.

Royal Tern – 29^th March – Merritt Island (A Max Brewer Memorial Parkway overlooking the Indian River) Large flock roosting distantly on the sand. A handful of flocks seen very well during the trip at Carlos Pointe and Fort de Soto.

     

Other birds: Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher, Mourning Dove, Black Skimmer, Northern Parula, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Northern Mockingbird, Caspian Tern, Snowy Egret, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Tricoloured Heron, Green Heron, Semi-palmated Plover, Willet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Gray Catbird, Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Double-crested Cormorant, American Kestrel, Pied-billed Grebe, Fish Crow, Laughing Gull, Least Tern, Common Yellowthroat, Wood Stork, Blue-winged Teal

Also: Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Barn Swallow, Osprey, Great Egret, Shoveler, Pintail, Red-breasted Merganser, Glossy Ibis, Merlin

Florida Scrub Jay

Day 3 – Mead Botanical Gardens & Viera Wetlands

Pine Warbler – 30^th March – Mead Botanical Garden (Near the car park) Feeding in trees and calling. One of 3 or 4 seen during the trip. Male. Also seen at Three Lakes WMA Florida Trail.

Barred Owl – 30^th March – Mead Botanical Garden (In the trees near Alice's Pond) 2 adults and 1 owlet seen. Nesting pair. Showed well on the branches above. Only ones of the trip.

Sharp-shinned Hawk – 30^th March – Mead Botanical Garden (Near the Butterfly Garden) Male seen soaring in the thermals. 3 individuals seen on the trip.

Carolina Wren – 30^th March – Mead Botanical Garden (In shrubs near Alice's Pond) Singing in the trees. One of two birds seen on the trip. Another seen at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 30^th March – Mead Botanical Garden (In tree near Howell Creek) Female feeding in trees. One of two birds seen during the trip, both at Mead Botanical Garden.

Prairie Warbler – 30^th March – Mead Botanical Garden (Near car park) Male feeding in the trees. One of a small number seen during the trip.

Swallow-tailed Kite – 30^th March – State Highway 9 (On route from Mead Botanical Garden to Viera Wetlands) Flying over the road ahead of us. Several seen during the trip, including two notable low flying individuals giving excellent views - one in the Burger King car park off State Highway 9, the second at Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6.

Sandhill Crane – 30^th March – Viera Wetlands (Cell 3) Adult sitting in the reeds. A small handful of pairs seen throughout the trip, with the majority seen along Joe Overstreet Road in the Three Lakes WMA area. A pair with chick also seen from the road near Orlando.

Limpkin – 30^th March – Viera Wetlands (Cell 3) At the side of the track, showing well. A small number of individuals seen throughout the trip.

Crested Caracara – 30^th March – Viera Wetlands (Behind Cell 2) Flying distantly. A small number seen well during the trip, including on South Canoe Creek Road, Kenansville and at L1 Dike Road near Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6.

Least Bittern – 30^th March – Viera Wetlands (Cell 1 from the Caracara Divide) Seen flying between reedbeds over the water twice. Only individual of the trip.

Other birds: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Wood Stork, Palm Warbler, Northern Parula, Black and White Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Tufted Titmouse, American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, House Wren, Chimney Swift, Anhinga, White Ibis, Great crested Flycatcher, Red-tailed Hawk, Gray Catbird, Tricoloured Heron, Little Blue Heron, Downy Woodpecker, Green Heron, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Boat-tailed Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Loggerhead Shrike, American Coot, Common Gallinule, Swamp Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Belted Kingfisher, Common Yellowthroat, Mottled Duck, Mourning Dove, Common Ground Dove, Pied-billed Grebe, Caspian Tern, Forster’s Tern, Roseate Spoonbill

Also: Mallard, Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Cattle Egret

Swallow-tailed Kite

Day 4 – Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area & Joe Overstreet Road and Landing

White-winged Dove – 31^st March – Kenansville (S. Canoe Creek Road). Individual perched on the wires showing well. One of a handful seen during the trip.

Bachman’s Sparrow – 31^st March – Three Lakes WMA (Florida Trail) Perched on a branch singing near the start of the trail from the N Canoe Creek Road entrance. Only one of the trip.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker – 31^st March – (Florida Trail) Two feeding on trees by the side of the trail around the second group of white ringed nest trees. Great views. Only two of the trip.

Brown-headed Nuthatch – 31^st March – Three Lakes WMA (Florida Trail) One perched on trunk of suspected nest tree. Only one of the trip.

Red-headed Woodpecker – 31^st March – Three Lakes WMA (Prairie Lakes Road). One feeding in the trees near the side of road at the crossroads, before flying over the car to the other side. Only bird of the trip.

Killdeer – 31^st March – Joe Overstreet Road (Seen from roadside) Three in the marshy grass at the side of the road. A small handful seen throughout the trip.

Snail Kite – 31^st March – Joe Overstreet Road (Joe Overstreet Landing - Lake Kissimmee) Two seen hunting over the marsh distantly. Females - white and black banded tail was obvious. Caught a snail. Only birds of the trip.

American Purple Gallinule – 31^st March – Joe Overstreet Road (Joe Overstreet Landing - Lake Kissimmee) Three seen feeding distantly in the lily pads. A small number seen well throughout the trip, including at Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

Other birds: Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Parula, Eastern Meadowlark, Wild Turkey, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, Crested Caracara, Solitary Sandpiper, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, American White Pelican, Black-necked Stilt, Swallow-tailed Kite, Mourning Dove, Red-winged Blackbird, Boat-tailed Grackle, Lesser Yellowlegs, American Coot, Common Gallinule, Tree Swallow, White Ibis, Loggerhead Shrike, Sandhill Crane, Laughing Gull, White-eyed Vireo, Swamp Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-winged Teal

Also: Osprey, Great Egret, Mallard, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Ring-billed Gull, Common Tern

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Day 5 – Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 & Miami

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – 1^st April – Clewiston (On route between Clewiston and Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 on County Road 835 Evercane Road at the junction with Joshua Blvd) 5 birds seen on the wires including a male. Showing well. Only birds of the trip.

Western Kingbird – 1^st April – Clewiston (On route between Clewiston and Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 on County Road 835 Evercane Road at the junction with Joshua Blvd) 1 bird on the wires with the Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. Short bill and white outer tail feathers. One of two seen on the trip.

Burrowing Owl – 1^st April – L1 Dike Road (Near Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6) 16 seen in fields surrounding the road, but distant. Excellent views of a nest at Brian Piccolo Park with two adults and one chick showing well later on. Several seen on the grass surrounding Miami.

Gray Kingbird – 1^st April – Josie Billie Highway (On route between Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 and Miami) Seen on wires by the side of the road. Only bird of the trip.

Spot-breasted Oriole – 1^st April – Markham Park (Near the Dog Exercise Yard) One adult seen well in trees inside the fence before flying out in to the palm trees and across the road. Only bird of the trip. Accepted exotic in Miami on ABA.

Muscovy Duck – 1^st April – Topeekeegee Yugnee Park (Near the lake) On grass by the lake. Seen throughout Miami - established feral population and ABA accepted birds.

Other birds: Belted Kingfisher, Crested Caracara, Northern Harrier, Eastern Meadowlark, American Kestrel, Swallow-tailed Kite, Black-necked Stilt, Common Gallinule, American Coot, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Double-crested Cormorant

Also: Barn Owl, Egyptian Goose, Feral Pigeons

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Day 6 – Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge, Green Cay Wetlands & Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Smooth-billed Ani – 2^nd April – Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge (Along main canal dike off Lee Way and on crossroads path) Breeding pair. Two adults seen extremely well and calling. Possible nest building. Only birds of the trip. Very special birds - possibly the only pair in Florida.

Eastern Screech Owl – 2^nd April – Green Cay Wetlands (Off boardwalk in palm tree roost spot) Brown morph adult showing well. Only bird of the trip.

Gray-headed Swamphen – 2^nd April – Green Cay Wetlands (Off boardwalk in reeds) Several more seen at Wakodahatchee Wetlands. 7/8 birds in total. Established population in Florida of Grey-headed subspecies and countable under ABA.

Purple Martin – 2^nd April – Green Cay Wetlands (Around nestboxes) Several birds showing well. Other birds seen at Sawgrass Lake Park and SW 203rd Ave, Homestead.

American Bittern – 2^nd April – Green Cay Wetlands (In reeds off boardwalk) Elusive bird hunting in the reeds. Two more birds seen well at Lust Road Wildlife Drive near Apopka.

Other birds: Anhinga, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, American Purple Gallinule, Tricoloured Heron, Little Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Wood Stork, Common Gallinule, American Coot, Pileated Woodpecker, Mourning Dove, Boat-tailed Grackle, Belted Kingfisher, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-winged Blackbird, Pied-billed Grebe, White-winged Dove

Also: Osprey, Great Egret, Glossy Ibis

Smooth-billed Ani

Day 7 – Cutler Bridge, Black Point Park and Marina, Homestead, Long Key SP & Key West

Cave Swallow – 3^rd April – Cutler Bay (SW 216th St and Ronald Reagan Turnpike canal bridge) 60+ birds congregating over the water and flying under the bridge. Only flock of the trip.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron – 3^rd April – Black Point Park and Marina (Black Creek Trail Entrance road) Juvenile bird by the side of the road. Adults also seen at Dry Tortugas NP.

Mangrove Cuckoo – 3^rd April – Black Point Park and Marina (Black Creek Trail near the start of the 2nd parking lot) Adult bird. Elusive but showing well in the mangrove trees. Called once. A very special bird and the only one of the trip. Overwintering individual.

Common Myna – 3^rd April – Florida City (Starbucks car park off W Palm Drive) Two individuals flying and perched on the lamppost. Seen well later on off the S Dixie Hwy.

Magnificent Frigatebird – 3^rd April – Overseas Highway (Near Key Largo) Flying over the road high up. Several seen throughout the keys. Soaring low down and overhead and great views obtained at Dry Tortugas NP.

Zenaida Dove – 3^rd April – Long Key SP (Off the Golden Orb Trail, in between the two pink ribbons) Very elusive and views obtained under bushes next to the trail. White mark on wing clearly visible. ABA mega and 9th record for America. Only bird of the trip.

White-crowned Pigeon – 3^rd April – Overseas Highway (Outside Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden & Hyatt Beach House) 10+ birds seen in total, all around this area near Key West. All perched on wires at around 5:30pm, presumably before heading to roost.

Other birds: Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Mockingbird, Prairie Warbler, Mourning Dove, Gray Catbird, Willet, Western Sandpiper, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Reddish Egret, Indigo Bunting, Common Ground Dove, Northern Cardinal, Eastern Kingbird

Also: Feral Pigeon, European Starling, Turnstone, Red Junglefowl

Mangrove Cuckoo

Day 8 – Dry Tortugas NP

Audubon’s Shearwater – 4^th April – Yankee Freedom Ferry, Dry Tortugas NP (Route from Key West to Dry Tortugas NP) On water then took flight at close range. Not a Manx Shearwater - shorter wings, more flapping flight style and less gliding. Seen well. Only bird of the trip.

Sooty Tern – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson and Garden Key) Hundreds seen flying and nesting on the island. Only location seen.

Brown Noddy – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson and Garden Key) Hundreds seen flying and nesting on the island. Only location seen.

Masked Booby – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Hospital Key) 75+ seen on the sand at Hospital Key from the Yankee Freedom. Ferry stopped nearby to obtain scope views and photos.

Louisiana Waterthrush – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson) Seen near the water source and inside the fort walls. Prominent white supercilium, buffy flanks and pale throat. Only bird of the trip.

Orchard Oriole – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson) Male. Seen at the top of the trees inside the fort, plus again outside the entrance. Only bird of the trip.

Black-whiskered Vireo – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson) Seen in the trees inside the fort. Black 'whisker' clearly visible. Iconic Florida species and the only one of the trip.

Blue Grosbeak – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson) Males seen in trees inside the fort. Only birds of the trip.

Summer Tanager – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson) Male, feeding in tree inside the fort. Another male seen at Fort de Soto. One of two birds seen on the trip.

Prothonotary Warbler – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson) Male. Feeding along the wall inside the fort. Fantastic views and the only bird of the trip. A personal favourite.

Brown Booby – 4^th April – Dry Tortugas NP (Out to sea) 4 birds perched on large metal frames in the water. Very distant scope views. Large tail and facial markings apparent. Only birds of the trip.

Great Horned Owl – 4^th April – Key Largo (Dove Creek Lodge Resort) Adult bird perched on telegraph pole in the car park, before flying off. Only bird of the trip.

Also of note: Probable Common Nighthawk – 4^th April - Dry Tortugas NP (Fort Jefferson) Definite Nighthawk sp. Bird flew out of a tree and up high. Two white patches on the wings. Due to timing and location, remote possibility of Antillean Nighthawk cannot be ruled out.

Other birds: Indigo Bunting, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Scarlet Tanager, Prairie Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Palm Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, Tree Swallow, American Kestrel, Brown Pelican, American Herring Gull, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Solitary Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Double-crested Cormorant

Also: Barn Swallow, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Cattle Egret, Sandwich Tern, Turnstone

Prothonotary Warbler

Day 9 – Homestead & Eagle Lakes Community Park

Bronzed Cowbird – 5^th April – Homestead (SW 203rd Ave) Around 8 birds present, going down to the feeder in the garden and feeding on the grass. Also seen at Eagle Lakes Community Park.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck – 5^th April – Eagle Lakes Community Park (Main lake) Several present on the main lake dabbling. Also seen at Lust Road Wildlife Drive.

Other birds: Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, Purple Martin, Northern Cardinal, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Grackle, White-winged Dove, Western Kingbird, Mottled Duck, Little Blue Heron, Anhinga, Snowy Egret, Tricoloured Heron, Black-necked Stilt, American Coot, American Crow, Mourning Dove, Common Gallinule, Blue-winged Teal

Also: Great Egret

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Day 10 – Bunche Beach, Carlos Pointe, Felts Audubon Preserve & Tierra Verde

Piping Plover – 6^th April – Bunche Beach (West side) Approximately 7 scurrying on the sand before the incoming tide. Relatively good views. The only birds of the trip.

Least Sandpiper – 6^th April – Bunche Beach (West side) At least 2 birds showing well with the Piping Plovers. Green/yellow legs clear to see. Only confirmed birds of the trip.

Snowy Plover – 6^th April – Carlos Pointe (Beach near Big Carlos Pass) Several birds showing extremely well on the beach - nesting pairs. Only birds of the trip.

Wilson’s Plover – 6^th April – Carlos Pointe (Beach near Big Carlos Pass) 2 birds present on the beach - nesting pair. Showing extremely well. Also seen at Fort de Soto. 3 birds seen on the trip in total.

Redhead – 6^th April – Tierra Verde (Main lake) (Pools off West Shore Blvd) 3 drakes seen swimming distantly on the pool. Only birds of the trip.

Nanday Parakeet – 6^th April – Tierra Verde (Pinellas Bayways) Individual perched on wires. Flocks seen all around the area and at Fort de Soto.

Other birds: Painted Bunting (male), Reddish Egret, Royal Tern, Willet, Semi-palmated Plover, Brown Pelican, Black Skimmer, Caspian Tern, Least Tern, Indigo Bunting, Swallow-tailed Kite, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Gray Catbird, Common Grackle, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Coot, Common Gallinule

Also: Sanderling, Dunlin, Osprey, Red-breasted Merganser, Mallard

Piping Plover

Day 13 – Lust Road Wildlife Drive

Fulvous Whistling Duck– 9^th April – Lust Road Wildlife Drive (Lust Road) Several individuals flying over. All black wings and white tail band obvious. Only birds of the trip.

Marsh Wren – 9^th April – Lust Road Wildlife Drive (Lust Road) Around 8 individuals singing in the reeds. Two seen well and the only birds of the trip.

Other birds: Black-bellied Whistling-duck, American Bittern, Common Gallinule, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-necked Stilt, Snowy Egret, White Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Tricoloured Heron, Little Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Palm Warbler, Tree Swallow, Roseate Spoonbill, American Coot, Boat-tailed Grackle, Anhinga, American Purple Gallinule, Lesser Yellowlegs, Blue-winged Teal

Also: Great Egret, Barn Swallow, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Days with no lifers

Day 11 – Fort de Soto

Other birds: Cape May Warbler (male), Black and White Warbler, Mottled Duck, Yellow-throated Warbler, Ovenbird, Northern Parula, American Herring Gull, Hooded Warbler, Palm Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Least Tern, White-eyed Vireo, Nanday Parakeet, Black Skimmer, Common Ground Dove, Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Royal Tern, Summer Tanager, Brown Pelican, Wilson’s Plover, Laughing Gull, Marbled Godwit, Willet, American Oystercatcher, Reddish Egret, White Ibis, American Crow, Gray Catbird, Double-crested Cormorant, Prairie Warbler, Great Blue Heron, Tricoloured Heron

Also: Barn Swallow, Osprey, Dunlin, Sanderling, Turnstone, Ring-billed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Red-breasted Merganser

Yellow-throated Warbler

Day 12 – Sawgrass Lake Park

Other birds: Swallow-tailed Kite, Northern Parula, Bald Eagle, Gray Catbird, Anhinga, Tricoloured Heron, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, American Coot, Common Gallinule, Palm Warbler, Belted Kingfisher, Wood Stork, Northern Mockingbird, Common Grackle, Roseate Spoonbill, Purple Martin, Blue Jay, Black-necked Stilt

Also: Osprey, Gull-billed Tern

Anhinga

Mammals

Manatee – 29th March – Merritt Island Manatee Watch Point. Several individuals seen in the water close to the edge. 

Wild Hog – 29th March – Merritt Island Black Point Wildlife Drive. Two individuals seen foraging at the end of the Black Point Wildlife Drive off the main road.

Fox Squirrel – 31st March – Joe Overstreet Road. Several individuals seen in the trees at the start of Joe Overstreet Road near the main road. 

Manatees

Fox Squirrel

Lepidoptera

• Monarch
• Viceroy
• Gulf Fritillary
• White Peacock
• Red Admiral
• Zebra Heliconian
• Julia Heliconian
• Mangrove Skipper
• Queen
• Glasswing Butterfly
• Mangrove Buckeye
• Cloudless Sulphur
• Orange-barred Sulphur
• Bella Moth
• Fir-tussock Moth (caterpillar)

Monarch - Mead Botanical Garden

Reptiles

• American Alligator
• Green Anole
• Brown Anole
• Common Green Iguana
• Box Turtle
• Florida Softshell Turtle
• Florida Red-bellied Cooter
• Suwanee River Cooter
• Florida Cooter
• Southern Black Racer

American Alligator

Florida Birding Trip Report - Day 7 (Miami, Key West & the Florida Keys)

With a lot to try and fit in on our trip down to the Florida Keys, we awoke bright and early, the sky still a stormy inky black and the faint call of migrating Palm Warblers overhead reminding us that despite being in the big city, nature never stops. Negotiating speed cameras and bizarre minimum speeds on the roads to Miami, we were soon at our first stop of the day – a bridge on the SW 216^th Street & Ronald Raegan Turnpike overlooking the canal that is famous for its nesting Cave Swallows. Usually found across Central America and Texas, this is a difficult species to catch up with in Florida without a special visit to a known nesting colony, of which there are just a handful around the outskirts of Miami.

Cave Swallow - ridiculously hard to photograph!

Barely having time to admire the fluffy chicks accompanying the two adult Muscovy Ducks that came waddling up to us as we left the car, we were soon gazing upon a mass of Cave Swallows swooping under the bridge and congregating over our heads, performing in the air with incredible acrobatic skill. Speeding past us and constantly weaving through the sky, it was exceptionally difficult to photograph these agile hirundines, eventually getting the shot I was after on my last attempt out of about 200!

Similar to the Cliff Swallow (considerably rarer in Florida), Cave Swallows can be distinguished by their much paler throats in comparison to the darker red of the Cliff Swallow, as well the lighter coloured foreheads and lack of white patch above the bill as on Cliff.

Standing on the bridge and admiring these attractive swallows for around half an hour, we both marvelled every time one sped past our face before swooping down low to make a pass under the bridge beneath us. Fantastic!

Having had our fill of the Cave Swallows and with a jam packed day travelling down to the Keys ahead, we pressed on to our next site – Black Point Park Marina and the home of the elusive Mangrove Cuckoo. Mysterious and almost mythical with its hard to track down reputation preceding it, Mangrove Cuckoos are without doubt the hardest of the three species of American Cuckoos to observe, and this was a bird I was especially hoping we would be able to connect with. Sporting an attractive “bandit” style eye-mask complete with a smart curved bill and beady eyes, Mangrove Cuckoos are notoriously hard to find, often the only giveaway to their presence being an extraordinary loud call more reminiscent of a monkey!

The elusive Mangrove Cuckoo

Usually moving up to Florida towards the middle of April onwards, we had originally thought we were far too early to even stand a chance, but the discovery on e-bird of an individual overwintering at Black Point Park Marina gave us fresh hope. Still present during our trip and being reported from the same patch of Mangroves every time, this was our best and realistically only chance of catching up with this enigmatic species.

 Mangrove Skipper - an impressive resident of the mangroves at Black Point Park Marina

Arriving at the car park and strolling around the outside of the Mangroves originally drew a blank – plenty of butterflies flitting around the gnarled and twisted trunks provided us with a distraction, while our only Racoon of the trip ungainly clung to the branches in an attempt to get down from his ill-thought out perch at the top of a Mangrove.

Raccoon - Photo by Alex Jones

The mangroves!

A further search of the area also revealed our first Yellow-crowned Night Heron in the form of a streaked juvenile slowly crossing the road in pursuit of prey on the opposite side. 

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Allowing us a close approach, we were really able to see the thick strong bill, and glad to finally catch up with this species after missing one at Jamaica Bay in New York the previous year, we stopped to watch as it stared intently into the Mangrove mud.

Turning our attention back to the task at hand, we returned to the car park where the Mangrove Cuckoo records emanated from, and before long were astounded to hear the distinctive call echoing from the trees right in front of us – now was our chance. Straining to catch a glimpse of sooty grey plumage from in-between the glossy Mangrove leaves, Alex soon called out that he had it, and a frantic few minutes of directions and trying to get me on it followed. Panicking I was about to miss our prize, I eventually locked on to this most attractive cuckoo – elegantly perched on one of the thin twigs and peering out intently. 

Mangrove Cuckoo

Moving further up the tree to the exposed branches at the top, we were treated to unparalleled views of this Mangrove specialist in full view and completely unobscured, providing us with some excellent photographic opportunities – what a bird!

Practically dancing with happiness at our success, we watched on as the cuckoo retreated back in to the Mangroves, losing sight of it as it blended back in to the thicket of leaves and back to a life in hiding.

Ecstatic that this Florida speciality was safely under our belts, we headed south to begin the journey to the Keys, stopping off at Florida City on route to track down the gang of Common Mynas that make the area their home. Native to the Caspian Sea region, Kazakhstan and through to the Indian Subcontinent, and having flourished in the area since being introduced back in the 1980’s, Common Mynas are, like Muscovy Ducks and Spot-breasted Orioles, fully countable on ABA checklists. Managing to eventually locate a handful of Mynas in the Starbucks and adjacent petrol station car parks, we quickly found that they had a particular penchant for Pringles, and were soon enjoying point blank views as they fed around the car.

Common Myna

With a 9^th for the US in the form of a Zenaida Dove currently in residence at Long Key State Park halfway down the Keys, it would have been stupid not to call in and give it a shot. Usually more at home in the Caribbean and Central America, this was a mega in terms of American birding, and it had attracted a large number of birders to the area during its 3 month stay. Driving through Key Largo and the other small towns lining the Florida panhandle, the landscape noticeably changed, with shallow lagoons and Mangroves now lining the road complete with picturesque white sandy beaches and beautiful blue ocean vistas. Our first Magnificent Frigatebird of many soared majestically overhead, these pirates of the sea present in good numbers around the Florida coastline and one of the only places in America to see this prehistoric looking bird.

Magnificent Frigatebird

Arriving at Long Key, the sweltering midday heat ensured that we weren’t able to stay out in the open for long, exceptionally glad of the shade the mangroves offered. With two other birders having been searching since the early hours of the morning but with no luck, we set to work trying to track down what at times could be an exceptionally elusive dove.

Long Key viewpoint tower!

Prairie Warbler

With a male Prairie Warbler flitting through the leaves as company and an exceptionally showy Willet on the tideline, I remembered several e-bird notes saying observers had located the Zenaida Dove by hearing rustling in the undergrowth. With several Mourning Doves feeding on the track and providing false alarms, on what was only our first proper search of the Golden Orb Trail I heard a slight movement under the nearby bushes and caught a glimpse of a tan coloured dove shyly moving through the leaves. Raising my bins, a striking flash of white on the wings unbelievably confirmed my suspicions – Zenaida! As easy as that!

Zenaida Dove!

Dodging around the bush, we sadly couldn’t get any better views as the dove was obscured by the tangle of branches and leaves, but the white spot on the wings was all we needed, diagnostic in the identification of this mega bird and in separating it from the exceptionally similar Mourning Doves.

The diagnostic white spot on the wing

Pleased with our success and the heat now getting too much, we headed on to our final location of Key West, stopping off on route to check the shore line for any interesting waders. Sadly, the small peeps running around the Mangrove bays were just a tad too distant to confirm for definite if there were any yellow-legged Least Sandpipers knocking about amongst them, and getting increasingly tired after a series of long days in the field we pressed on to our hotel for the night in the heart of Key West.

With the long day getting a bit too much and with the traffic jams heading in to Key West rendering us at a standstill, I was soon abruptly awoken from my nap by Alex shouting and pointing excitedly out of the window – “White-crowned Pigeons!” Sure enough, looking across the road bleary eyed, I soon caught sight of 4 of these beautiful and sleek pigeons perched on the telephone wires, their sooty grey bodies topped with an attractive snow white cap. 

White-crowned Pigeons

Migrants in to Key West and with no definite site for these impressive birds, it was sheer luck that we’d managed to jam in on them by the side of the road, and before our trip had begun we had been apprehensive as to whether we would catch up with any. Pulling over in to the entrance of the nearby golf resort where they were perched (we did cause a little bit of chaos and the beeping of horns by disgruntled golfers), we were able to get much closer views of this Florida Keys speciality and reel off a few photographs.

Extremely pleased to get the White-crowned Pigeons under our belt, we re-joined the traffic, eventually reaching our hotel in the centre of Key West nestled within the palm trees and boasting a lush garden, sitting out on the balcony revealed our first Indigo Bunting of the trip, feeding on the seed on an adjacent rooftop and soon joined by a rather skittish Common Ground Dove. Several Roosters also wandered freely below, a regular sight in the town and one of the many we encountered during our stay.

Indigo Bunting

Rooster!

Refreshing ourselves with a truly delicious meal of orange chicken for me and Yellowtail Snapper for Alex in one of the top local restaurants, we were ready for tomorrow and one of the days we had both been looking forward to the most – our day trip out by boat to the paradise that are the Dry Tortugas islands.