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 - Days 11 & 12 (Fort De Soto Park and Sawgrass Lake)

The next day saw us wake relatively early and head over to the well-known west coast migrant hotspot that is Fort De Soto Park. Nestled right on the coast below St Petersburg, Fort De Soto gets an incredible number of migrant birds stopping by to take advantage of the rich food sources on offer and to take a break from their long journeys. Having already seen the majority of birds to be expected at this time of year, the skulking Swainson’s Warbler would be our best chance of a new lifer.

Parking up in the first car park after entering the park, we were immediately met with a stonking red male Summer Tanager in one of the large trees, but a quick mooch around the area produced nothing else of note. 

Summer Tanager

Osprey nest poles seemed to be everywhere in Florida!

Deciding to check out the Mulberry tree section further along the trail proved to be much more fruitful however, and we were soon enjoying views of Hooded Warblers, Northern Parulas, Palm and Prairie Warblers and a rather confiding Mottled Duck keeping cool in the shade of the trees.

Mottled Duck

The area around the water fountain proved to be particularly rich in bird life

The high pitched tinkling above us gave away the presence of a small flock of Cedar Waxwings, our first non-flyover views of the trip, while a White-eyed Vireo foraged through the leaves. 

Fleshy cactus plants were abundant in the fine sandy soil at Fort De Soto

Gulf Fritillary was another new species of butterfly for us at Fort De Soto

Heading further in to the trees and encountering a local beginners bird group, we were able to locate several Ovenbirds foraging in the leaf litter, while a particularly showy male Black and White Warbler posed for all the cameras.

Black and White Warbler

With the group having found a gorgeous Yellow-throated Warbler, we were able to enjoy prolonged views of our third individual of the trip, the buttercup yellow throat making it easy to locate in the foliage but still as elusive and tricky to photograph as ever, constantly dodging behind branches and being continuously on the move.

Yellow-throated Warbler - as unphotogenic as ever!

Alex had also found a particularly attractive Cape May Warbler, the bright yellow and burnt umber tones indicating this was a male, our first for the trip and our first male of this species. 

Male Cape May Warbler!

Having previously seen a female Cape May Warbler in Central Park last May, but only having identified it retrospectively once back in the UK from photos, it was great to finally admire this delightful warbler in person (as well as actually knowing what it was!) and even better to have scored with a male.

Checking the undergrowth carefully for any Swainson’s Warblers but with no luck, we headed over to the beach to see what wader delights awaited us. Several American White Ibises probed the soft ground around the picnic benches, while a group of roosting Willets again provided point blank views. 

American White Ibis showing well!

Approaching the tideline and scanning the nearby flock of waders revealed a number of Dunlin, Sanderling and Turnstones while a single lone American Oystercatcher roosted, the characteristic yellow and red eye hidden as it tucked its head peacefully under its wing. Several more Willets fed in the crystal clear shallows, while an unexpected Marbled Godwit was a nice surprise, wading through the pools and providing our closest views of the trip.

There was also a wealth of tern activity here, with both Cabot's (now split from Sandwich Tern) and Royal Terns noisily flying back and too with fish, while a small number of Least and Common Terns darted and fished along the tideline. A handful of Brown Pelicans also soared majestically over the water, while the usual Great Blue Herons and Double-crested Cormorants fished nearby. A third Wilson’s Plover also came scuttling towards us over the white sand, an unexpected bird at this site and a great addition to the day.

Looking towards a clear shallow patch of water behind us also revealed our most confiding Reddish Egret of the trip, hunting for any small fish in the peculiar way Reddish Egrets seem to do by almost dancing over the sand, waving their long necks in a fashion almost like snakes being charmed and looking extremely comical. 

Reddish Egret

We were able to get fantastic views of the subtly beautiful plumage and the bright bubble-gum pink bill, with the egret coming so close to us that I wasn’t able to fit it all in the frame of my camera!

Leaving the peacefulness of the shore and the many intricately patterned and beautifully coloured tropical shells that were scattered over the sand behind, we headed back in to the trees to see what other species we could find, hoping to strike it lucky with any Swainson’s Warblers.

Sadly we didn’t manage to locate any other warbler species in this part of the reserve, but a pair of Common Ground Doves foraging in the grass and along the gravel pathway finally offered us a chance to photograph this dainty species of dove – far less common than we had anticipated with only a handful encountered during our time in Florida.

Common Ground Dove living up to its name

We were also able to get much more satisfactory views of the Nanday Parakeets here at Fort De Soto, coming across a group of three birds drinking out of a puddle before flying in to a nearby tree. 

Nanday Parakeet!

With their distinctive black faces and electric green plumage, there was no mistaking these gaudy birds, and it was great to see them out in the field as opposed to viewing from a roadside.

Deciding to leave Fort De Soto in order to head up north in an effort to locate Carolina Chickadees at Brooker Creek Preserve, we were soon back on the road and heading to our next destination.

Unfortunately, our plans became unstuck at this point, and an incident with another car at an intersection on route rendered our hire car undriveable. Luckily, both ourselves and the other driver were left unscathed, and as we watched our car get towed away we were incredibly thankful that we had avoided anything worse.

With no car and no desire to continue birding that day, we accepted a lift back to the hotel – the delicious Tapas restaurant and associated lamb cutlets going someway to lift our spirits after what had been an eventful end to the afternoon.

Thankfully having taken out full insurance cover at the hire car desk in Orlando, we were able to pick up a replacement from Tampa airport the very next morning, and we were soon back on the road again. Unfortunately, my extremely bruised and swollen leg as a result of the incident prevented me from moving in any manner other than a weak hobble, so we chose to take it easy at Sawgrass Lake Park, a known breeding site for Swallow-tailed Kites. Whilst we saw no new birds for the trip here, Sawgrass Lake did deliver on the kite front, with two birds soaring over the car park at regular intervals.

The tranquil setting of Sawgrass Lake

We were also able to locate several Northern Parulas and Palm Warblers trilling in the tree tops, while the usual Gray Catbirds and Blue Jays called noisily by the paths. Sitting down on one of the benches to watch an Anhinga dry its outstretched wings in the sun, we also noticed a nearby bush covered with butterflies, Alex managing to get some shots to aid in the identification.

Cloudless Sulphur - Photo by Alex Jones

Orange-barred Sulphur - Photo by Alex Jones

Walking across the boardwalk to the lake revealed several Alligators waiting patiently in the murky depths for any unsuspecting prey, while the usual American Coots and Common Gallinules bobbed around, some with chicks in tow.

Baby Common Gallinules!

As suggested in the ebird report, Sawgrass Lake was a promising location for raptors, with several Black and Turkey Vultures soaring overhead while an Osprey and pair of Bald Eagles fished on the large lake. A Gull-billed Tern was also an unusual find on the lakeside edge, our first bird of the trip, while a single Purple Martin fluttering over the hide was another bird of note. We also saw several reptiles at Sawgrass Lake, with various types of Cooters basking on the bank as well as a Florida Softshell Turtle giving great views as it swam under the bridge as we walked across.

Florida Red-bellied Cooters and Suwannee River Cooter - note the difference in shell size and shape

Wanting to get back to Orlando in good time for our final night’s stay, we enjoyed a quick lunch before heading back on the road, taking the time to remove a number of Fir Tussock Moth caterpillars from the car before starting our journey east.

Fir Tussock Moth caterpillars were everywhere - over the benches, the cars, you name it!

With just the usual birds along the highway – mostly Wood Storks, Grackles, Egrets and a ringtail Northern Harrier flying over the road, we had soon made it to our final hotel in good time, enjoying a last delicious Florida meal in the nearby Lobster restaurant before settling down to a night’s sleep ready for our final day in the Sunshine State and our flight home.