Barber Park Gulls and Sparrows

I headed over to Barber Park which is on the outer edge of my birding loop from home. There was rain earlier but I have never seen the soccer area filled with water before. Surrounding that water were many, many gulls resting on the grass.



When you find a whole bunch of gulls around it is important to scan through them in case any rare species might show up. The most common gull in Central Florida is the Ring-billed Gull and most of the birds here where of that variety. They ranged in age from adult...



...to juvenile. Some would pick around in the grasses and water but the majority of the birds were just trying to catch a nap.



Standing alone near the edge of the ponding water was a Laughing Gull. They are found in large numbers on the coast so at least I got one stray in the flock.



I was trying to get back in the car while the wind continued to howl around but I heard a small sound off to my right. Out of the cloudy skies, a small flock of Savannah Sparrow landed in a tree and then dropped to the ground.



Savannah Sparrows are not uncommon in brushy areas around the state in Winter but I have never seen them in my urban area before. They picked around at the ground for a couple of minutes right in the parking lot.



One of the birds took a look to the sky and, suddenly, they all took wing and headed out toward the lake.



This park can hold some interesting things from time to time. I definitely wasn't expecting this particular grouping of birds. Tired of the wind, I headed home. Not much else was enjoying this weather, either.

Barber Park

I often drive past Barber Park or drive through the parking lot in case anything is sitting in the front pond but today I decided to stop and take a walk out to the lake and see what I could find out in the fields.

A train of Muscovy ducks were hiking toward the marsh in the center of the parking areas and Eastern Phoebes and several Western Palm Warbler were snatching insects. This Palm hopped right over to me.



There is a retention pond between the parking areas and the lake just off to the side of the soccer fields. They have planted some native plants in here to make it look nice and it attracts some nice birds from time to time. There were Phoebes, a Belted Kingfisher, and a Great Blue Heron keeping an eye on me as I made my way around toward the lake.



I could hear Yellow-rumped Warblers all along the tree lines but they were not making themselves seen for more than a second. I circled back around the opposite side of the canal and posted up for a few minutes. Eventually, a single bird pause just in front of me for a few seconds.



The Western Palm Warblers were much more conspicuous as they flitted out into the open, fed in the grasses, and perched on shrubby branches just about everywhere.



One more close-up. How can I resist?



On the way out I spotted a White-winged Dove trying to hide in the shadows. Did not expect that here. I took a look high overhead and spotted a Bald Eagle soaring over the lake.



I headed back to the car and had a single Muscovy Duck just coming back out of the marsh. Usually they are mostly black. I can't recall a silver one. Much less with a Mohawk!



I did not have as many species as I had hoped for but it was a nice walk. Where are all the birds this season? Seems thin.

Barber Park While Waiting

Our oldest had a practice session near Barber Park and instead of driving back and forth too much I decided to search any close water ways. However, there is not much in the way of lakes to cruise in this area. I did spot some Shrikes up along the road so I tried to get some shots there but they flew off before I could get in position. I had to settle for a Western Palm Warbler in bad light.



I circled the small pond in the park looking for birds. A Gray Squirrel was playing hide and seek. I won.



In the pond, a Slider kept a careful lookout for trouble.



The only birds besides the resident Mallards was a flock of Ring-billed Gulls.



I searched the entire group hoping there might be a different gull in there. Nope. All Ring-bills.



Time to go. Better than nothing, I guess.

Barber Park Gulls and Grackles

Time for another trip to Barber Park. Maybe there will be some interesting ducks by now. Not a lot of time to check the entire park but can definitely get to the front pond. The ducks there are still the same old resident Mallards and Muscovy but there are now more Ring-billed Gulls than the time I stopped by and the light was a little better as the Sun was beginning to set.



Most of the Ring-billed Gulls were along the shore and didn't mind people as they walked the sidewalk by them. Though they do keep a sideways watch on us.



I don't always try for too many flight shots but when the gulls are in a small area like this, with a strong enough breeze, they make pretty easy targets.



I did find a few Ring-necked Ducks in another pond but only a few. As I was about to get back in the van, a flock of male Boat-tailed Grackles flew in and began posing and calling.



Imagine my surprise when these displays began to transform the birds into the undead! I have witnessed eagles and hawk make this change but not blackbirds.



Soon, a female Boat-tailed Grackle landed in the same tree. A good looking bird but I was worried for her safety. Did she not see the zombie bird nearby?



Ah, I see. She was already in the middle of her transformation!



Not wanting to be overtaken by this growing group of monsters, I got back to the van and found my escape. Perhaps I should alert the media...