Fall Migration at Mead Garden

Now that Fall Migration is kicking in, I decided to take a walk through Mead Botanical Garden, of course. I could not find many birds for the first 15 minutes. Odd. Then I did what I usually do to hopefully break the drought which is get that first photo taken even if it is an easy target like the first bird I did see, a Great Egret.



Even the boardwalk was quiet. Just me and a Cuban Anole.



One of the reasons I headed out was that a fellow birder had reported an Acadian Flycatcher near the creek. I wasn't sure if it would still be there but as I got to the giant cypress a bird flew out to catch an insect, nearly hitting me in the chest. It then settled on a branch just to my right. It was the flycatcher.



You don't see Acadian Flycatchers, or most other flycatchers for that matter, that seem oblivious to humans walking close by. This bird just didn't seem to care about people being in its space at all.



It fed low in the area, zipping back and forth across the path while I snapped photos and other people walked to and fro.



The Acadian Flycatcher flew to the opposite side of the creek for a while and I had gathered enough shots to make me happy.



Just after the flycatcher moved a little higher to search the branches a Carolina Wren came charging in to take its place. It was singing up a storm and posed just as close as the other bird recently had.



I had to move along, though, so I made my way to the spot behind the old amphitheater that typically has some good birds. Today was no exception but the clouds were moving in and rain might be on the way. In the gloom I could make out a small feeding flock and a flash of yellow betrayed a Prairie Warbler snapping up bugs.



Just behind it was a Blackburnian Warbler. First I have seen since last year.



Near the cement bridge, a huge flock of Common Grackles were suddenly swarming the area and making quite the ruckus.



Trying to get a snack below the Grackles, a Red-bellied Woodpecker pounded away on slender branches.



Just before I got to the park exit I heard a call up in the trees. The view was horribly backlit but with a little photo processing I was able to confirm that the songster was a Yellow-throated Vireo.



Not a bad walk on a gloomy morning. Maybe I can find even more on the next visit.

Moss Park

It took me awhile to get through the photos from last weekend so this is posted a few days after the event, but...done. My wife's company picnic was scheduled for this past Saturday and the event was held in Moss Park. Nice place. We have camped there before. Only problem is that it is like dropping a kid in a candy store. Birds are always around here so socializing becomes more of a formality for me once I start seeing and hearing birds. Selfish? Yes. I am working on it.

As soon as we got out of the car I could see scores of birds flying around the lake. I was already twitching. Once we made introductions and had lunch I went off for a little hike. As soon as I neared the edge of the lake the bird sound was raucous. The main species flying by were Wood Storks.



Turns out that the small island just across from the shoreline was teaming with wading birds nesting. A lot of Wood Storks were there but the edges of the island were covered with White Ibis nests.



There were also Anhinga and Double-crested Cormorants but I was more pleased to see a Black-crowned Night Heron join in with the crowd. I do recall seeing a lot of these birds the last time we were out here.



I came off the dock and began to head to the North, following the sounds of Boat-tailed Grackles. They would not stay in good light for me but flowers were more accommodating. Right next to the dock was a nice spread of Rhexia.



Just around the bend were a scattering of Yellow-eyed Grass swaying in the light breeze.



Tucked next to the reeds I spotted a clump of Bog Buttons. I did not relocate the Sun Dews I remember from years ago.



Standing higher were shocks of a variety of St. John's Wort.



Another yellow flower was there but I can't recall the name as of yet.



Back to the birds! My next goal was to find where the birds from the island were heading for food. They were going to a shallower part of the lake to the North. The storks and Ibis were flying over to gather food for chicks...



...and then head back in short order.



The White Ibis are in full breeding plumage and are just as active.



One of the birds we always remembered from our previous camping trip was the Sandhill Cranes that can be quite bold in searches for food. They even try to steal food from your picnic tables! This family was wandering around a large gathering leading their new colt through the pavilions.



The colt took it all in stride as kids tried to follow it around the campgrounds.



I headed back to the company event hearing Pine Warblers near the gathering. I kept seeing them flying high in the pines and finally had a closer look as an adult brought some food down to a juvenile.



Once the meal was consumed, the adult Pine Warbler flew off for more and the juvenile fluttered its wings and called for more.



Near he table, a family of Tufted Titmouse swooped in and began calling loudly. Was I in the way of something or were they warning of some other danger? I never found out.



As I was about to put the camera away I noticed another bird flitting through the branches. I couldn't tell exactly what it was immediately but by the time I went through photos and asked for thoughts from a friend I can only conclude that this is a late 1st Spring Blackburnian Warbler! Not a common sight here this time of year.



I made one more walk near the parking lot to see what was in a fenced in area and had a pair of Great-Crested Flycatchers hunting around the moss. It is called Moss Park, after all.



A nice morning of discovery today. Next time, have the company event indoors and I will be all full of meaningful conversation. Until I spot something outside the windows...

Work Walk

Needed a walk during lunch. Headed back around to the wooded area across the street. It was pretty productive during the Spring. Now to see if I can find anything during the Fall.

I could hear Cardinals but not much else. Suddenly a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher fluttered by and after a bug. It caught it right in front of me so I tried to get a shot. It flew off too quickly. I walked around a tree to see if it was hiding on the other side. Instead, I found Blackburnian Warbler feeding way up above me.



Heading deeper into the woods I spotted a Northern Parula feeding in a Chinese Tallow tree. It stayed in the dark shade so I looked around for some other subject. Surprisingly, I didn't have to wait long. Thrushes began to fly in right past me and gathered in another nearby tree. Most were Veery but a couple of Swainson's Thrush joined in. We have started to catch these species at the banding site so they are migrating through in good numbers.



That was it for the rest of the walk. Kind of disappointing but those 3 species were new for my in these woods. I finished out my shift and swung by the pond up the road to see if the American Coot was still here. Yep. Stayed year round. Also in the pond was a critter I hadn't seen in months.



At least it still hasn't eaten any of the regular birds!

Blackburnian and More at Mead

Despite the lackluster day yesterday, I decided to return to Mead primarily because there was a sighting of a Black-billed Cuckoo a few times in the past few days. I need that one for my collection.

We have been having rain off and on but I guessed I might have enough time before the next round after our banding morning. Rain has been good for the lakes, THey are way up and about back to normal levels.



No luck on that bird today but things were a bit more birdy and gave me many opportunities for photos. Once I arrived, I headed into the wooded area near the parking lot but only managed to find some Carolina Wrens and a pair of Cardinals. The male posed nicely in the shade.



I spent some time behind the amphitheater to see if the Cuckoo might be hiding there where it was last seen. Instead, all I found were some Redstarts. Then, another bird flashed through the branches but kept to the back of the oaks. It was an Acadian Flycatcher!



I swung down the river's edge and onto the boardwalk. No birds here so I stopped to get a shot of the Primrose Willow blossoms. They are invasives but I do love these flowers.



Fairly quiet until I approached the butterfly garden. There I found the Mockingbirds in the trees and flying about.



Many of the younger birds were grabbing berries when they could but I was more interested in the adult perched up in the watch tower.



As I admired the Mockers, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher drifted in and gave me a gaze before heading on.



This was followed quickly by a female Cardinal who brought her own food to snack on. She was a bit damp and undergoing some molting but I still found her pretty. In a birdy kind of way...



Besides the Flycatcher earlier, the most interesting birds were found as I made my back to the parking lot and found a few fellow birders staring at the trees. Turned out a feeding flock was moving through there and there were many Blackburnian Warblers in the flock.



I haven't seen too many Blackburnian Warblers in my life so it was nice to have this bunch around for some photos. Even though the sky was fully overcast and the light was poor.



Even got a pair together in one shot.



Here is that same scene cropped to show the lower bird better.



We tried to follow the flock but they dispersed. I got to end the day with a cuddly moment before heading home. A Rabbit was out on the grass, nibbling away.



Not a bad walk in the park, eh?