JUNE CHALLENGES TO LOCATE THE BREEDERS

Wow, apparently I'm getting very lazy about posting blogs here as it has been almost a full month since my last one.  Sheesh.  Since I've finally been more evenly splitting my work time between the field and office, it has given me the opportunity to catch up on atlasing my quad for the Breeding Bird Atlas II project.  Interestingly it has coincided with the 2013 June Challenge.  However, as much fun as it is to participate in the JC, the atlasing definitely takes precedence over the JC endeavors.  However, one is allowed to assist others with their quads, right?  With that mindset I decided it wouldn't hurt to participate in this year's JC as much as possible (I missed a full week being out of state for work), while atlasing and hopefully collecting some extensive breeding data for not only my quad, but others' as well.

I was lucky enough to be present for the first 2 days of the challenge, which thankfully fell on a Saturday and Sunday this year.  Before meeting the Audubon-led trip at Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve (LFR), I decided to check out Fish Camp Road (which is about a 1/4 mile south of LFR) for lingering chuck-will's-widow and maybe a barred owl.  All I had to do was turn down the dirt road and I heard my first chuck calling.  However, this being the JC, I had to see the bird as well.  I just drove a short distance and saw one flying overhead, then another, and finally one other.  Difficult bird to see #1 - check!

After not hearing or seeing any owl species, I noticed it was time to head over and meet everyone at LFR.  About 35 other intrepid JC'ers showed up to kick off the JC in appropriate fashion.  Although there were no yellow-crowned night herons observed flying overhead like last year, we did manage to get sightings of bachman's sparrow, common nighthawks, red-headed woodpeckers, and both american white pelican and black-bellied whistling ducks flying overhead.  It was a solid start to the morning for everyone.

Red-headed Woodpecker

Another birder and I decided to stay behind to look for the hairy woodpeckers which had been seen by many in late winter.  We searched for quite a bit, but were only lucky to encounter a downy woodpecker.  We then left to re-join the group over at Newnan's Lake.  However, we went to the wrong boat ramp and figured everyone had already left for the prairie, but decided to stay and see what was present.  Boy, did we a pay a price for going to the wrong boat ramp.  Even though we got great looks at green heron, osprey, and a few other wading birds, the rest of the group were treated to great looks at limpkin and laughing gulls at the other boat ramp.  D'oh!

Immature King Rail

We ended up joining the group at Paynes Prairie to finish out the morning as they were getting ready to hit the trails.  As always, the avian diversity along the La Chua trail was impressive.  Most everyone was fortunate to set their eyes on purple gallinule, whooping cranes, roseate spoonbills, blue-winged teal, blue grosbeak, indigo bunting, white morph great blue heron (not that subspecies count for the JC), northern rough-winged swallow, least bittern (difficult bird to see #2-check!), and king rail (difficult bird to see #3-check!).  As the morning was turning into a hot early afternoon, some of us decided to linger along Sweetwater Dike and Sparrow Alley, while most of the group disbanded and headed home.  Those of us who stayed were treated to looks at orchard oriole, yellow-billed cuckoo, ground dove, and bobwhite (difficult bird to see #4-check!).  When all was said and done, there was an impressive tally for the first day.

Purple Gallinule in field of Hyacinth

The second day I took it easy and only went out in the late afternoon to bird.  I went back to La Chua in search of the yellow-breasted chat we dipped on the prior day.  It was an excellent decision.  I ended up finally hearing a male singing just west of the transmission line, and was able to get a brief glimpse of it in a nearby persimmon clump.  After this great addition to my JC list, I headed to Cellon Creek Blvd. to see what was out there.  Lucky for me several species which can sometimes be difficult to find (especially in one spot), were present and drying out from the downpour which had just passed through.  Species such as eastern kingbird, loggerhead shrike, eurasian collared dove, purple martin, and easern meadowlark were out and about.  I didn't see any southeastern american kestrels there, but I figured there had to be one or two nesting a short distance away at the entrance to San Felasco via the Progress Center.  All I had to do was drive up and an adult male was perched on one of the overhead power lines.  It capped off a great beginning to the 2013 JC, especially since TS Andrea came through while I was away and brought species like caspian and least tern for only a day or so.  Ah well, it's probably a good thing, seeing as I have lots of atlasing to catch up on still and only so many opportunities to verify breeding status in my quad.

Wood Stork soaring overhead the La Chua trail

GOOD PICKENS

 

I suppose there's no other way to begin this blog entry, so I might as well get it out of the way now.  My girlfriend and I left on vacation on May 5th, heading to Milton, FL to get away from everything and enjoy some nature and solitude.  Since we had a long drive to Pensacola Beach where we were spending the first night, we left somewhat early.  Then I got the text.  While we were getting close to Pensacola.  I had to look twice to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.  "KI WA at San Felasco."  No way in hell I told myself.  It must be a joke.

It wasn't.  Mike Manetz, local birding extraordinaire, had found just the second ever Kirtland's Warbler in the county's history.  Naturally I just left for vacation.  I can't tell you how long I wrestled with turning the car around and heading back to Gainesville.  My girlfriend just gave me a look that said "There's no way in hell we are turning around now."  I don't even know if I could truly justify it, but I still toyed with the idea.  Talk about starting the vacation on a dour note.  I was very excited all day with the prospect of getting to bird Gulf Breeze National Seashore/Ft. Pickens that evening and the next morning, and here I was already feeling ho-hum about it, thinking there was no way I was going to replicate what had been found in Gainesville that morning.

However, it didn't take long birding at Ft. Pickens to pique my interest.  Least terns were flying around everywhere, with males flying around with small fish in their bills trying to attract the attention of females.  The first battery we stopped at was Langdon, and it seemed to be the hotspot for me both times out.  Right off the bat I saw a brilliant male scarlet tanager, a swainson's thrush, and a bold, breeding plumaged male magnolia warbler.  On the way to the fort, we saw a gull-billed tern, bald eagle, and loads of osprey.  At the fort we were treated to another brilliantly plumaged male scarlet tanager and several blue grosbeaks. Barn swallows flew close overhead, as did a common nighthawk.

A striking male Scarlet Tanager

Female Blue Grosbeak on the fort grounds

The next morning I headed out early, determined to find some great birds to make up for missing out on the Kirtland's.  I arrived at the entrance only to find it didn't open for another hour and I did not have a camping code to unlock the gate.  So I waited a short distance away and decided to check out a little part of the beach, which ended up yielding a few bobolinks, a nelson's sparrow, and what I assume was a juvenile sora, although my first instinct was yellow rail.  While walking through some vegetation to get a good ID on the nelson's, I flushed out the rail.  Of course it flew in the direction of the rising sun so I could not get a good look to see if I could see any white on the wings.  However, I noted where it landed and just a few seconds later I was right were it should have been (close to an open, exposed area) and it was nowhere to be found.  Just like a yellow rail.  And it made no noise when it was flushed.  Not that it is an identifiable feature, but in my experience with soras, they usually will make some noise when flushed.  And you typically can find them again with little trouble.  This bird was just completely hidden or gone, in no time flat.  Just like a yellow rail.  Alas, I could not positively ID it, so I was left assuming it was a juvenile sora.

Following this shot of adrenaline, I walked the beach noting the black-bellied plovers, willets, semipalmated sandpipers, ruddy turnstones, and white-rumped sandpipers.  Soon it was time to get into the park and back to Battery Langdon.  I ended up birding it twice - once when I arrived and again as I left.  Both times yielded different species and great finds.  I had a male and female scarlet tanager, male and female rose-breasted grosbeaks, eastern kingbird, red-eyed vireos, tennessee warblers, a male blackburnian warbler, yellow warblers, common yellowthroat, magnolia warbler, black-throated blue warblers, ovenbirds, veery, swainson's thrush, and gray-cheeked thrush.  All three thrush species were found within about 150 feet of each other, in about a 10 minute span.

Male Blackburnian Warbler (who was only an arm length from me)

Swainson's Thrush

Eastern Kingbird

I then headed to the fort, determined to find the lark sparrow I dipped on the evening prior which had been hanging around since October.  I found it right away foraging in the grass with some brown thrashers and a mockingbird.  It must have been quite accustomed to all the foot traffic because it kept foraging closer and closer to where I stood watching and photographing it.  It was gracious (or hungry) enough to give me long, unobstructed looks at the field markings and feeding behavior.  The same blue grosbeaks were back out, along with the male scarlet tanager.  Barn swallows were flying close by, and the beach off the dock held a spotted sandpiper along with the other typical shorebirds.  Traveling around the various Batteries around the fort yielded courting and copulating least terns, several gull-billed terns, red-breasted mergansers, common loons, and indigo buntings.

Handsome Lark Sparrow on fort grounds

Feeling quite satisfied with my morning already, I checked out some of the other Batteries a short bit away from the fort.  It was getting late in the morning when I arrived at the Ft. Pickens Park/Battery Worth area.  I checked out the park first and didn't find much of anything hanging out.  I walked up to the back (facing the Gulf) and was enjoying another gull-billed tern when I spotted two ducks not far offshore.  I figured they were probably scaups, but I got the bins out and thought they actually were too solid dark to be scaups.  Thinking I might have a pair of scoters in front of me, I raced down to the shoreline for a closer look.  Thankfully these two were in no hurry, so I got my bins up and found out I was looking at a male and female surf scoter.  The males two white head patches (front and back of head) and bill coloration were unmistakeable.  I was ecstatic and couldn't believe my good fortune.

Gull-billed tern foraging along shoreline

Courtship display of Least Terns (copulation did occur!)

Male and Female Surf Scoters just offshore!

I left the Ft. Pickens area quite satisfied with the fantastic array of species I was fortunate to have observed.  It might not have been the same as seeing the Kirtland's, but it sure made up for it in a big way.  When we arrived in Milton at our cabin, we had some nice birds right outisde our front porch.  We saw a chuck will's-widow fly down every night just a couple feet of our porch and sit there for a few minutes getting ready to begin its nightly chase for insects.  Summer tanagers, brown thrashers, and great-crested flycatchers were singing like mad.  Yellow-billed cuckoos, northern parula, ovenbirds, prothonotary warblers, and hooded warblers were all found in close proxmity to our lodgings as well.  On our kayak trip down Wolfe Creek, we were fortunate to hear prothonotary and swainson's warblers, along with a broad-winged hawk.  All in all, it was a great trip for birding and a great exploration of a part of the state we had yet to visit.

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS

Smorgasboard of shore birds

Taking a cue from Team Sapsucker's NA Big Day, I decided to travel to Cedar Key last Saturday to see if any interesting migrants were around and also to look for some coastal birds I don't usually get the chance to see in Alachua County unless a tropical storm or hurricane is bringing them inland.  The morning didn't start as planned, as I overslept my alarm by an hour.  Guess I needed the extra zzz's.

I drove over to Cedar Key on SR 24, and just past Archer I spotted a pair of Eastern kingbirds on a snag on the side of the road.  A little while later, I stopped to use the facilities at one of the Upper Waccasassa Conservation Area entrances and noted a flock of Bobolinks flying overhead and bearing to the north/northeast.  I could also hear a Northern parula and White-eyed vireo calling in the early morning.  It was already a good start to the day and I hadn't even made it to my destination yet.

I pulled up to the #4 bridge while it was still low tide and had to get on the birds quick because they were everywhere.  At low tide this channel is well-known for the amount of shorebirds, most notably the short-billed dowitchers, which come here to feed.  As expected, the short-billed dowitchers were out en masse, along with least sandpipers, willets, semipalmated sandpipers, american avocets, and a marbled godwit.  I just love watching avocets feed, with their re-curved bills swishing from side to side catching macroinvertebrates.  Its a unique feeding habit unto them and makes them very interesting to observe.

Breeding and non-breeding plumage American Avocets

Pair of Clapper Rails flying along vegetation line in front of American Avocets

While watching the avocets for probably much longer than I should have, a pair of clapper rails flew out from and flew along the edge of the salt marsh vegetation.  I hadn't seen one since this exact location on nearly this same date last year.  Black skimmers were also foraging around, as were ospreys and a bald eagle.  The real treat outside of the avocets and rails were a pair of Nelson's sparrows which were conspicuous and calling repeatedly.  It was my first time seeing this species, and it just supercharged me for the rest of the day.  I believe they were immatures based on the extensive and bright orange facial coloration both individuals prominently displayed.  Unfortunately, they didn't stay out in the open for long, and once they popped down into the vegetation, I didn't see or hear them again.

Nelson's Sparrow

Nelson's Sparrow

Clapper Rail

By then it was time to get going to the next location - the 5th street church.  Outside of a chimney swift flying overhead and a common grackle, the place was a ghost town.  So I quickly headed over to the cemetery to see what migrants and shore/wading birds might be present.  Right off the bat I decided to check the boardwalk and was rewarded with the closest and easiest looks of any rail species (outside of the soras at La Chua trail this year) I've ever experienced.  This clapper rail was preoccupied with preening and then foraging, as it paid absolutely no attention to my presence.

Red-breasted Nuthatch!

Within the cemetery, it was fairly quiet which was not altogether unexpected, as no fronts had come through in the last few days.  Warbler species and numbers were pretty low.  Only a handful of cape may's and blackpolls stood out.  Some northern parula and black-and-white warblers were also present.  The real treat was getting the ultra-close looks at three different red-breasted nuthatches.  Apparently these individuals have hung out since the irruption last year and must have a plentiful enough food source, as they didn't appear in a hurry to leave.

Male Blackpoll Warbler

Male Cape May Warbler

I was unable to re-locate the great horned owl from the previous spring migration excursion, but when I went behind the cemetery to the shoreline there, I was pleasantly surprised to see a common loon in either full or near-full breeding plumage, a pair of male mallards (provenance unknown), common and forster's terns, and another clapper rail (who, when noticed me, made a beeline to some cover).  On the way back to the vehicle, I noticed some cedar waxwings flying around and then a swallow-tailed kite.  All in all it was a pretty decent expedition, especially with no weather fronts pushing the birds here or keeping them pinned down here.

Black Skimmer skimming the water's surface

Pair of Mallards just offshore near the cemetary

I then stopped at the unfinished new neighborhood to check on things, and was eventually rewarded with several cape may and blackpolls, along with two different red-breasted nuthatches.  I couldn't believe my luck.  By the time I made it to the museum, it was getting late in the morning and I thought I may have been too late to catch any migrant warblers.  I suppose I was wrong.  On the boundary between the park and residential neighborhood, I caught a very vocal mixed flock which contained white-eyed vireo, carolina wren, northern cardinal, great crested flycatcher, northern parula, blackpoll warblers, black-and-white warblers, and yellow-rumped warblers.

Along the museum trails and at the buildings, the blackpoll warblers were thick and heavy in comparison with what I had witnessed all morning to this point.  A nice surprise was a gray-cheeked thrush perched on one of the live oaks near the bird bath.  For a secretive bird, it allowed great looks out in the open.  A couple of ovenbirds, a palm, and a prairie warbler rounded out the warblers present.

Male Northern Parula foraging

Male Black and White Warbler foraging

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Male House Finch

Since midday had approached and started slipping away and it was high tide, I still figured I would check out the airport to see if anything was still lingering around.  Alas, the tide was well too high for any shorebirds to stick around and the airport was pretty quiet except for a few willet, a green heron, and a gray kingbird hawking insects from the power lines.  However, on the way to and from the airport, there were a few docks which had a nice little gathering of shorebirds and terns.  There were royal, forster's, and common terns resting, along with loads of short-billed dowitchers, ruddy turnstones, willets, and at least one dunlin.  Some of the nearby homes had purple martin condos in their yards, and many of them were occupied by martin couples.

Dock full of terns and shore birds

Male and Female Purple Martins residing outside their McMansion

Seeing it was already afternoon, I decided to head over to Shell Mound to see if any migrants were hanging around the trails.  I figured looking for shorebirds would be a bust since the tide was nearing high, and I was correct.  Nary a shorebird was present.  However, walking the trails revealed marsh wrens, lots of blue-gray gnatcatchers (lots of singing heard), northern parula, summer tanager, and an immature male and female orchard oriole.

1st Year Male Orchard Oriole

Driving to and from Shell Mound I kept my eyes and ears open for any florida scrub jays, but none were present.  The nice stretch of mixed forested wetlands a short distance before the Shell Mound entrance had northern parula, northern waterthrush, red-eyed vireos, and a pair of yellow-billed cuckoos.  These species were all calling and/or singing, filling up the humid afternoon air with glorious song.

I decided to head home after this since it was getting late.  I spotted some american crows and a mississippi kite on the drive back.  I stopped by Watermelon Pond (boat ramp area), and it was fairly quiet.  Some greater and lesser yellowlegs were present, with a solitary sandpiper living up to its name.  A couple of sandhill cranes and some great egret were also there.  Some barn swallows and a common nighthawk were flying overhead.  When the common nighthawk started "peent"-ing, I took it as a cue to finally head home from a long day of birding.  When all was said and done, I believe I saw at least 100 different species throughout the day, even with missing some expected species.  Not quite up to par with Team Sapsucker, but it made for one hell of a fun day.

Male and Female Lesser Scaup

ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL

After what I thought was the last bit of the front passed through last Sunday afternoon, I decided to head over to Ring Park to see if any interesting migrants had dropped in.  Even though it rained on me nearly the entire trip, it started off nicely with a yellow-throated vireo singing and an ovenbird foraging through leaf litter directly underneath it.  A couple northern parula were singing a short distance down the path.  Then I hit the mother lode about halfway to Glen Springs.  About 25 feet in front of me at eye level was what I almost passed off as a prothonotary warbler, but a closer glanced revealed white wing bars and a black eye stripe...a blue-winged warbler!  This species is a very special treat during spring migration in Alachua County.  It also marked the third straight season I have seen a blue-winged at Ring Park, but the first in spring migration.

Once I got over my excitement, I noticed a pair of adult carolina wrens with four new fledglings flitting to and fro in the understory.  A male common yellowthroat was nearby, scolding away.  Then I heard some more birds overhead and glanced up to see quite a few small passerines flying from tree to tree.  By the time all the excitement and died down and the birds moved away, I had spotted pine, yellow-throated, black and white, and black-throated blue warblers.  A couple american redstarts, another ovenbird, a northern parula, and a red-eyed vireo were also present.  Not believing my luck, I continued down the trail and was lucky to run into a dashing worm-eating warbler a couple feet above my head, gleaning the undersides of some dead leaves.  10 warblers.  The highest number I have seen at Ring Park, and a pretty good number in Alachua during spring migration as it is not nearly as prolific with migrants as is fall migration.

Male Black-throated Blue Warbler

I was somewhat surprised I hadn't observed any thrushes and commented about it to a local bird expert who told me not to fret because thrushes are fairly uncommon to rare during spring migration in the county.  Only a  few sightings of the expected thrush species had been reported and recorded over the years.  I was somewhat surprised, given the amount of decent habitat available and excellent birders located in the county.  Apparently, my luck was about to change significantly.

Perhaps a day or two after the thrush discussion, I had headed out to Loblolly Woods Nature Park in town on my lunch break to see if any interesting warblers were hanging around.  Immediately after heading off on the main trail and headed down Hogtown Creek, a thrush-sized bird flew onto the ground close to me.  After getting my bins on the bird, I noticed it was a thrush.  It was a uniform dull brown on the upper sides, dark spotting on the breast, and lacked an eye ring and buffy facial coloration...a gray-cheeked thrush!

The following day I decided to take another evening stroll to Ring Park before night fell just to see if anything was present.  It was much quieter than Sunday evening as no fronts were passing through.  However, an ovenbird and male black-throated blue warbler were nice sights early on.  As it was getting darker, I saw a thrush-sized bird fly close by.  Again I got my bins on the bird and noted a uniform reddish brown on the upper sides, noticeable eye ring, some buffy coloration on the breast and not the face, and light colored, non-extensive spotting...a veery!  Below is a horrible, blurry photo of the veery, which hung around foraging for a few minutes.  The top photo doesn't truly show the overall reddish brown plumage coloration, but it was unmistakable. 

Veery

Veery

On a side note, the Monday following the front passing through saw a nice little gathering in my yard in the morning.  A ruby-throated hummingbird, a couple of baltimore orioles, a small flock of cedar waxwings, a northern parula, and several cape may and blackpoll warblers made for a fantastic morning in the backyard.  The cape may and blackpoll warblers were definite firsts for our yard.

Well it's been a nice spring migration here in Alachua so far, and I hope it continues.  If any other interesting spring migrants pass through, I'll be sure to write about it here.  Until then...

SOUTH FLORIDA EXCURSIONS

I suppose I could probably write several blog pieces about my time spent in the extreme southern end of the state the last couple of months, but it would likely bore everyone to death.  Instead, I will try to keep it as succinct as possible.

Some of the awesome species I was able to observe the last couple of months were: western spindalis, thick-billed vireo, black-whiskered vireo, lazuli bunting, mangrove cuckoo, neotropic cormorant, purple swamphen, scissor-tailed flycatcher, brown-crested flycatcher, wilson's warbler, swainson's warbler, blue-winged warbler, white-tailed kite, snail kite, and painted bunting.

The western spindalis was observed at the Key West Botanical Gardens.  It may have been the easiest of these species to find.  I pulled into the parking lot and many birders were hanging around and acting very excitable.  I figured they hot spotted the female spindalis as she had been reported there.  Sure enough I park the car and she is just sitting at just above eye level on an exposed perch just posing for everyone.  She allowed for long looks and everyone present seemed very satisfied afterwards.  I felt somewhat bad because the guys I had been birding with early that morning had dipped on her the previous day and they didn't have time to check back when I went down.  But that's how it goes with birding sometimes.  For instance, they had spotted a pair of scissor-tailed flycatchers the previous day, but I dipped on them there.  It's birding for you.

On the opposite spectrum, the thick-billed vireo (at Bill Baggs State Park on Virginia Key) was one of the longest of the aforementioned species I had to wait for to observe.  I believe I ended up waiting around 2 hours for it to make itself known, which it finally did by giving out its slow, deliberate scold call repeatedly.  After a few scolds it finally popped into the open for about a minute before retiring back into the undergrowth from whence it came.

The lazuli bunting was a fun bird to wait for because it was being observed in someone's backyard.  Normally I'm pretty hesitant to just go to someone's house to see a bird because I feel I'm intruding on their private space, even when they give everyone permission to do so.  I'm glad I decided to head over because the home owner and his nephew were fantastic people to speak with while waiting for the lazuli to show itself.  This is one of my favorite parts of birding, the interactions with other individuals.  These two guys were really conscientious and welcoming.  We enjoyed some good conversation and at many points I had forgotten to keep my eyes open for the lazuli.  But after many indigo and painted buntings, and great conversation, the lazuli popped up on a gumbo limbo branch for all the world to see.

Did I mention the backyard yet. It was simply amazing.  If you are interested even the slightest in botany, it would thoroughly impress you.  About 98% native south Florida vegetation spread around the yard, with well-established canopy, sub-canopy, and groundcover vegetation present, a surefire reason why the yard was so birdy.  In fact, the yard was an oasis given the surrounding area.  Painted and indigo buntings were present, along with white-winged doves, great-crested flycatchers, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and many, many others.  Simply a beautiful haven.

All the birds were simply stellar to see, but I ended up really just enjoying the places I wound up searching for the birds and specific experiences with some species.  For instance, there was a least flycatcher who was hanging around the Annex for some time.  One day it decided to perch on a branch only 10 feet or so from me.  It called a few times then just kept looking at me and its surroundings.  I probably watched it for at least 10 minutes as we just occupied the same time and space.  A marvelous experience indeed.  I was able to really get fine-tuned looks at plumage, really listen to the call, and just take in the individual.  I was actually kind of sad when I went back another visit to find it had finally moved on.

But I suppose it's these avian and human interactions which at first bait one into birding, then hook you in.  To me it's not about listing or seeing how many birds you can see (not that there is necessarily anything wrong with keeping a list of birds you've seen), it's really observing the birds, seeing their behaviors, watching them forage, attract mates, defend territories, etc.  It keeps me interested and coming back for more, and it always will.

American White Pelicans and Roseate Spoonbills

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

Well, well, well.  It has been far too long since I've last posted on my blog.  Working yourself to the bones will do it to you sometimes.  I suppose it's best to begin with what's been around the local scene the last day or two since I've been back in Gainesville and work my way backwards.

On Sunday evening I decided to take a stroll over to Ring Park near my home on the off-chance there may be some wood warblers present.  Once I arrived the rains started coming, but it wasn't raining too hard so I decided to forge ahead and see if any bird was out "enjoying" this weather.  I'm sure glad I decided to stay because I was rewarded with one the best wood warbler days I've had at the park.  10 warbler species in all.  It began with an ovenbird foraging around in some leaf litter near the entrance to the park, as a yellow-throated vireo was singing directly above it.

As I entered the main part of the park it was pretty noisy with carolina wrens, northern cardinals, and great-crested flycatchers.  No signs of any warblers though.  I progressed past the butterfly garden and down towards the creek.  However, I was stopped in my tracks about halfway to the creek as I noted some activity in the understory in front of me.  I took a quick look and bam, a blue-winged warbler was foraging about 6-8 feet off the ground, allowing for excellent looks at the telling black eye stripe, yellow head and underparts, and blue-gray wings with two white wingbars.  This is a real treat in Gainesville during spring migration.  This species is more regularly seen during fall migration, but even then it is still uncommon.  I noticed a pair of adult carolina wrens with recent fledglings in tow, along with a male common yellowthroat, so I decided to look around a bit more.

It was a good choice because I noticed all the warbler activity around me.  There were american redstarts, another ovenbird, northern parula, and pine, black and white, yellow-throated, and black-throated blue warblers all around me in the laurel oaks.  Pretty decent numbers, but the diversity was outstanding.  A red-eyed vireo was also present, foraging on a southern magnolia.

A short walk down to the creek provided nice looks at one of my favorite North American wood warblers, the worm-eating warbler.  It just kept on foraging in the thick understory, oblivious to my presence.  I always enjoy having the opportunity to observe this species forage.

Worm-eating Warbler intently foraging

Afterwards it kept pretty quiet, as the mixed warbler flock was apparently the "big" push from the storm front passing through.  A pair of barred owls which breed in the park were present as I was leaving when it was starting to become dark.  I decided to head home and on the walk back, my girlfriend called to let me know the carolina wren fledglings in our yard were about to fly for the first time.  I arrived home in time to see one try out its wings for the first time, while the others remained in the nest.  As darkness set in, only the one had flown.  However, in the morning I woke up to find all had left the nest and were busy flying and chipping all over the backyard.  In fact, the entire yard (and our neighbors) were alive with birds calling and singing.

I grabbed my bins thinking the storm front had possibly dropped some birds our way and I was not disappointed.  Several blackpoll and cape may warblers were feeding in the laurel oaks, as well as a couple of northern parula.  A pair of baltimore orioles were hanging around our yard and the neighbors yard.  A ruby-throated hummingbird was around to  boot.  Along with our usual suspects, it made for a great morning, one that was likely best served staying at home to watch the birds.

A LAWLESS LAND

The entire month of January found me located in Florida City for work.  For those unfamiliar with Florida City, it is the last true town before you head to the Keys.  It is a somewhat wild place, as there is not a huge law enforcement presence, and it is noticeable when you head down some county roads where power distribution poles are shot up and target ranges (along with the shell casings and copious amounts of litter) are set up in the surrounding glades wetlands.  This is where I was stationed for work for nearly 4 weeks straight.  Unfortunately with only one day off work a week and beginning the day well before dawn and finishing up around 5pm, this left little time for birding or this blog.  Since I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, I decided to go birding as much as my schedule permitted.

Luckily I was able to run into some fantastic local birders early on who provided some great tips to find some awesome species and locations to check out as well.  The Tropical Audubon Society has a great message board which was also crucial in helping figure out where I wanted to head out to maximize my fun with the little free time I had available.

If you read Bob Carroll's great blog, you'll note he went to check out a Bananaquit, Western Spindalis, and a LaSagra's Flycatcher.  Well, I headed out to those spots a few times, and was only able to spot the LaSagra's (still a great day when you get to see one!).  The Bananaquit evaded, eluded, and frustrated me.  As for the Spindalis, I think I saw every other bird in the area except for it.  But that's how it goes with birding.  Sometimes you hit and others you dip.

The last time I saw the LaSagra's was a great day.  Not only did I get the longest looks at it so far, on the drive in I was able to see the mysterious Great Black Hawk of Virginia Key, whose provenance is the subject of much debate.  Check out the link to a fascinating report on the much discussed history of the bird (http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/RD_black_hawk.html). I was also able to spot a couple of Short-tailed hawks soaring overhead, and was even able to watch one hovering, nearly motionless while searching for some prey for about two minutes.  A fascinating experience, and one of my personal highlights of the month.

To be truthful, it seemed there was no shortage of Short-tailed hawks present throughout Miami-Dade county. By the end of the month it seemed there was at least one dark morph in every Turkey/Black vulture flock.  Seeing them so often has certainly increased my knowledge on their field markings and made it much quicker to discern one in a large group of vultures.

I was fortunate to be able to take two short excursions down to the Keys in search of some lingering, over-wintering birds or Caribbean vagrants.  The first trip sent me down to Long Key State Park to search for the Swainson's warbler which had been reported there.  Just a few minutes into my hike I came upon a spot which just smacked of being a place warblers would love to hang out and catch insects.  My hunch was correct, as I heard and then quickly spotted a male Prairie warbler catching some insects.  Then I heard a call come from behind me, which I was now familiar with having listened to it repeatedly for the previous day or so, and then it flew directly overhead joining the Prairie warbler in the insect buffet...it was the Swainson's warbler.  It was probably the longest looks I may ever get of the species.  It was nearly eye-level and foraging for caterpillars for a few minutes.  I was the only person around and not even daring to breathe so as not to spook it off.  Already thrilled, I just kept going and it kept getting better.  I ended up spotting 11 different warbler species at the park including Swainson's, Prairie, Northern Parula, Ovenbird, Black and White, Yellow-throated, Northern waterthrush, Palm, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned, and Black-throated Green.  I consider 11 different warblers a great day during fall migration in Alachua County.  But 11 different ones during winter?  Does it get much better?  Apparently it does.

While I was sitting down enjoying lunch (oh did I mention I didn't start birding until 10:45, which makes seeing all those warblers so late in the morning even more remarkable to me), I saw a sharp-shinned hawk chase after a mockingbird.  But when I turned back around to face the Gulf Stream current, I noticed two ducks floating on by.  They were not long enough to be red-breasted mergansers.  Their bills weren't thin, they didn't forage in the typical fashion, and they lacked the typical "messed up feather-do" the species typically displays.  As I got a clearer look, I could see their plumage was all black, and with their profile and facial coloration, I realized I was looking at a pair of female black scooters!  What a treat to see while sitting down to eat lunch.

Another Keys excursion kept me around Largo, checking out John Pennekamp and Dagny Johnson parks.  I was going in search of a White-crowned pigeon so I figured I had a decent shot at either park, as both contain the tropical hardwood hammock habitats preferred by the species.  I dipped at Pennekamp, but was treated to a dark morph short-tailed hawk.  At Dagny Johnson it was fairly quiet, being mid-afternoon.  However, right as I was about to leave, a White-crowned flew directly overhead, it's white crown conspicuous.  Satisfied, I headed back to Florida City via Card Sound road, and stopped at a mangrove swamp before the bridge and was able to see Wood stork, Roseate spoonbill, several different herons and egrets, and a dark morph Reddish egret.  I had to take a second look at the reddish, because I thought there may be some partial leucism directly behind the bill.  However, it turned out to be salt deposits left by its fishing pursuits.  I had looked around and noticed vast amounts (a little more than expected) of salt deposits left on the surrounding mangroves, and surmised as much. 

In my pursuits, I was also fortunate to run across some interesting areas most people probably do not check out.  I was rewarded with excellent amounts of wading and shore birds, gulls, and terns.  I was able to observe the largest concentration of Lesser black-backed gulls I have ever been privy to see.  American white pelicans, Roseate spoonbills, Reddish egrets, Black-bellied plovers, Wilson's plovers, and many other species were prolific in these areas to boot.  In all it was a tiring month work-wise, and the small amount of time I was able to escape and bird was the only thing which made the month tolerable.  When you get to see species such as I did at this time of year, it's always a treat.