NOW IS THE WINTER OF OUR CONTENT

A frosty cold morning along the Cones Dike trail on Paynes Prairie has been all too common this winter

Although the term snowbirds is used to define those people who head to warmer locales (i.e. Florida) during the winter time to escape harsher and colder weather conditions where they inhabit, it may have a new meaning for Florida birders after the onslaught of northern and western vagrants which have shown up this winter season.  I'm not even sure which bird to start on, as there have been so many interesting and unique species which have shown up on our doorstep.  I suppose I should begin with 4 species which probably kicked off this generous surplus for the state.

Although a little bit belated, these 4 species served as the state's unofficial Christmas presents.  The one given the most notoriety to date has been an immature snowy owl which showed up at Little Talbot Island State Park in Duval County.  It marked only the 2nd or 3rd ever snowy to show up in Florida, the last being in 1999 at St. George Island State Park near Apalachicola Bay.  The highly diurnal hunting habits of this owl species made it very easy for birders to find this individual in the expansive coastal sand dune habitat which pervade Little Talbot.  The owl is still being seen at the time of this writing, and I'm hoping it sticks around for a little while longer.  Whether food scarcity (i.e. lemming population crash) or a successful breeding season (let's hope it's this one) has forced this individual to find hunting grounds far from its usual range, Florida birders and non-birders alike have been celebrating the presence of this captivating youngster.

Where's Snowy?  It's hidden in plain sight.  The extensive coastal dune system at Little Talbot provides atypical, albeit useful, camouflage for the owl whilst hunting for prey.

A little closer look at this uber-rarity for the state

Not to be outdone, a handsome drake Harlequin duck showed up just south of the Florida/Georgia border at Ft. Clinch State Park at the same time.  As with the owl, it has wooed and delighted many a Florida birder.  It's not every day a Harlequin makes its way from its typical mid- to north-Atlantic coast range to the Sunshine State.  Normally this species doesn't head south from Virginia and northern North Carolina in the winter, but no one seems to be complaining.  Although the snowy owl was certainly a sight to behold and cherish, for me observing the drake Harlequin was almost more rewarding.  Ever since I was a young boy going through my first field guide, the Harlequin was so visually arresting I couldn't help but think I couldn't wait to see one in the feather one day.  Alas, my travels had yet to take me to their territory at the right time of year and now one showed up on the doorstep with a bright ribbon tied around it.  There was no way I was going to miss observing this duck.  And so it goes I was fortunate to be able to watch this drake forage, defecate, and navigate over a rope left in the ocean from merely feet away.  Although a few people were present and observing it with me, it felt like the duck and I were having our own private interaction.  As with the owl, I probably spent far too long observing it.  However, it is not everyday I am so fortunate to watch how it is supremely adapted for a pelagic lifestyle, most notably how it dives after prey, seemingly effortlessly swims against a strong current (and makes excellent progress), and can navigate strong waves so it doesn't crash into the pier posts.

Almost appears he is thinking of how to cross this obstacle

He tries going under

But he cannot quite get it up over his head

He takes a step back to re-assess the situation

Aha, success at last!

Although I was not fortunate to find the other great bird species at Ft. Clinch, the Harlequin sure made up for it.  In fact, not only did I dip on finding the Purple sandpipers that day, I also dipped on the trio of Snow buntings at Hugenot Memorial Park.  It was not for lack of effort though.  Even though bitingly cold temperatures and strong winds with even more forceful gusts had kept the buntings (and most other passerines) hunkered down in the safety of the dune vegetation, an intrepid birder from Pinellas County helped in the search for the birds.  We spent quite a bit of time walking around the park at high tide to no avail.  Well, we did get sand blasted in our face, and I also had loads of sand deposited into my binoculars, so I guess that's something.  In all seriousness though, there were still great birds to see at the park, such as Red knots, Bonaparte's gulls, Lesser and Great black-backed gulls, Royal terns, and Black skimmers. 

The Hugenot dunes

The Hugenot rock jetty

The shoreline was littered with Cannonball jellyfish...

...which the tiny Sanderlings were picking at all morning long.

Some red knots decided to show up this morning to boot

Meanwhile, back home in Alachua County we've been blessed with a load of western and northern vagrants which have been rejoiced by local, state, and out-of-state birders.  Species such as Red-breasted nuthatch, Bullock's Oriole, Calliope, Black-chinned, and Rufous hummingbirds, Western tanager, Least and Vermilion flycatchers, Yellow-breasted chat, Wilson's warbler, Henslow's and Fox sparrows, and White-faced ibis have well made their presence known.  One backyard in High Springs has been incredibly blessed with a trio of excellent vagrants.

Even though it has been cold at home lately it hasn't stopped the vagrants from wintering here.

One of my favorite flycatchers, the Least, has been vacationing along the Cones Dike trail of Paynes Prairie for several months now.

This yard has played retreat to not only a Western tanager, but a Rufous and male Calliope hummingbird.  It's not often you get the chance to be so warmly invited into someone's yard to watch the tiniest of the tiny up close and personal to see the magnificent gorget of the male.  Simply beautiful.  Meanwhile, in Gainesville, another backyard was equally blessed to play host to a Bullock's oriole.  Many people the state over have had the opportunity to witness this gorgeous male specimen feeding with a large flock of Baltimore orioles.  All the buzz surrounding the bird translated into a local television appearance for the family and other neighbors suddenly erecting oriole and other bird feeding stations in their yards.  These will most certainly be the most well-fed orioles in the area, as they now have their choice of establishments to patronize.

A stunning male Calliope hummingbird has been tantalizing birders for a couple weeks now

Another shot of the Calliope heading off

Not to be outdone, this Black-chinned is making Alachua County its vacation spot this year as well.

It seems this winter has seen very large numbers of Baltimore orioles come through Alachau County. 

Not to be outdone, the Cedar Key area has also had its fair share of interesting birds this winter.  At one viewing off the main pier in downtown, I was able to spot Black, White-winged, and Surf scoters!  All 3 scoters at once, it was a new feat for me.  Several American avocets, Whimbrels, and American oystercatchers have share the same space with tremendous amounts of bufflehead, lesser scaup, and several different shorebird species.  For me though, the best bird I encountered on this excursion came as a complete surprise.  As I had timed my early morning arrival with peak low-tide, I figured I would try to find some Clapper rail and Sharp-tailed sparrows amongst the vast ocean of Saltmarsh cordgrass off the side of Bridge No. 4, the first crossing upon entering Cedar Key.  Much to my surprise, I didn't find any Sharp-tailed sparrows, but I did flush a yellow rail!  Although I nearly stepped on the bugger before it took off, I was clearly able to see a short, stubby yellowish bill, overall scaled brown plumage, and white wing patches...trademarks of the species.  In typical yellow rail fashion it quickly descended and I quickly went over to the spot where it landed only to not be able to re-locate it.  I carefully walked around the cordgrass (so as not to trample it) to no avail.  It wouldn't even respond to a recording of the "typewriter" call.  But there was no denying what I saw, one of the more elusive rail species.

The extensive coastal saltmarshes of the Cedar Key area.

Another shot of the Cedar Key coastal saltmarsh

Oyster bars at low tide are a typical coastal feature for the Cedar Key area.

Numerous Buffleheads have been seen at Cedar Key this winter.

Surf scoters lingering off the main pier with a drake Bufflehead

To be honest, I could probably write about these wonderful winter guests to the point it would bore you, but I think I've already done it.  It's terribly difficult not to rejoice over this manna we have received throughout the state.  I really am not sure how the rest of the year will compare with this winter, but I am getting excited by the proposition of a truly stupendous year for Florida birding.