Florida Lifer

I was just at Mead Botanical Garden and really wasn't in a hurry to get back but then the word got out that a rare bird was seen for more than a day in a row. So, there was a good chance it would still be there this morning. Guess I have to drag my self outta bed. Sigh.

Just after I got there I ran into Ian. He used to band birds with us out at Wekiwa Springs back in the day and we hung out for a bit and searched for birds. When I first saw him he was training his lens on one of the resident Barred Owls resting over the creek.



Once we arrived at the spot where the rare bird was being seen there were several photographers canvasing the area. They were all jockeying for position, sticking their lens into branches and clicking and flashing constantly. Just the kind of scene I don't like. They weren't even sure the bird they taking photos of was even the bird being sought. Just clicking and flashing at anything moving.

I saw the bird with my binoculars. I still decided to take a walk and let the human activity die down and come back later for a photo. Glad I did. Just behind the Education Center was a Blue Grosbeak feeding on seeds. Sweet.



Not much around the perimeter of the property so I wandered back to the bridge. It was down to just two over-active photogs so I posted up on the bridge and waited. I had 6 Magnolia Warblers today. That is the most I have ever seen on one day. They were not in the mood to pose for a very pretty shot.



There were a couple of warblers flying back and forth that had me confused for a awhile. Once I got the photos on the screen I came to the conclusion that they were simply Pine Warblers and nothing as exotic as I was hoping.



I finally decided it was time to get a shot of the rare bird since the other guys drifted off, still clicking and flashing at everything. It took me a couple of minutes but I found the bird again and it soon darted out of the gloom and out toward the creek. There was my first Florida Wilson's Warbler.



The Wilson's Warbler looked around the air for another bug, tilting its head from side to side before bounding back into the bamboo.



A juvenile male Black-throated Blue Warbler was oblivious to us humans and flitted around feeding for 30 minutes, at least. Juvenile males are told by the white on their throats.



The Wilson's Warbler made one more quick advance toward the edge of the bamboo and, although I don't like the small branch traversing the shot, I was happy to get a full ID shot showing the darker hood before it vanished again.



Blackpoll Warblers are easier to see in the Spring but they are all over these past few weeks but still hard to get shots of. Those legs don't lie, though.



I headed home by walking near the creek again but all I could see was several Western Palm Warblers that are flowing into the state. They are grabbing all the low flying bugs in the muck and landing around everyone who happens to be walking by.



It is always fun to bird watch during the peak of migration but we have had some amazing warblers all over Mead this month. they are not showing up in closer locations, like my banding site, but it is nice to have them so close on a regular basis and are giving many birders new Life Birds and others something fun to keep track of. For me, it will be back to banding on Sunday.

More Blackpoll Warblers

Back to Lake Lancaster to look for Blackpoll Warblers. They were still there! Still in good numbers. Males were feeding all over the place like they were yesterday.



Today they were a lot more in view which pleased me to no end.



A real surprise was a Swanson's Thrush that popped up as I watched the warblers. I don't usually see then around this time of year.



It hooped around from oak to oak for a few minutes before disappearing.



Another nice surprise was a late juvenile male American Redstart. Really late in the season for them to be heading back North.



Across the lake, the Great Blue Heron rookery was very active with large juveniles still begging for food from the adults.



A male Blackpoll Warbler cruised through the Cypress branches snatching insects.



I finally found a female Blackpoll Warbler in the oaks by the road gobbling down a spider she had just grabbed.



Nice to have a big group of migrants moving North this late in the year before the heat finally sets in.

Loads of Blackpoll Warblers

I headed out for my Saturday morning lake run and wasn't expecting much. By the time I got to Lake Lancaster I was surprised to hear a lot of warbler calls all along the shoreline. Blackpoll Warblers were feasting through the oaks all over the place. Unfortunately, they stayed back behind the branches most of the time but I got a couple of shots during a brief appearance of the males.



The only other clear shot of a Blackpoll Warbler was right by the shore and then they were off again. Fast moving birds that were so hungry that they were zipping by from tree to tree.



As I left the area I was surprised to find that the huge oak that was an anchor at the southern intersection had fallen over in the past day. They had been carving off limbs from time to time but I did not think it was going to collapse.



We shall see if the warblers continue into the weekend as we wind down the migration season.

Wasting Time at Mead Gaden

That tile is pretty much true. I had a dedication ceremony to get to at Lake Lotus but it did not start until 11 AM. I drop the oldest off at 7-ish so that leaves me some time to 'waste'. I had never parked on the far side of Mead before so I wondered if the back gate stayed open. The front gate doesn't open until later in the day. The gate was open and I got to spend an hour or so walking virtually alone to find some birds.

It actually was pretty quiet but I heard some American Redstarts down towards the amphitheater and headed that way. Redstarts were there. So was a larger bird at the back of the trees. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo!



I stayed in place and hoped that the bird would come out in the open a bit more. It finally moved a bit down the river but still wasn't as close as I would have liked. I was busy grabbing bugs so I don't blame it.



Then I noticed a second shape below the first bird. It was a second Cuckoo.



It, too, was having a successful catch rate.



They never did come into view any better but it is great to see this elusive species. Especially a pair. I would see another Cuckoo out behind the butterfly garden but it could have been one of these birds.



Another bird caught my attention after the Cuckoos. A single male Blackpoll Warbler was speeding its way from branch to branch in the shade.



Down in the creek, a Wood Duck hen and her ducklings snapped up insects from the water's edge.



Walking through the Cypress stand a bit farther down I spotted a couple of American Redstarts that I thought I might be able to get a shot of. However, I was quickly distracted by something even smaller backlit in the shade. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird was grabbing tiny bugs and things before settling down on a branch.



I really wanted it to go into the light more but I had to be happy with a tiny bird scratching away.



One more shot before heading to the boardwalk.



Just before reaching the butterfly garden, Northern Mockingbirds appeared and were inspecting the Elderberries for the best fruit.



These birds love the black berries this time of year and the whole family chases one another from plant to plant, vying for the best spot to eat.



Only got shots of the adults today but the juveniles are around, too. That one looks very, very tasty...



I knew I wouldn't get a great shot of the Carolina Wren singing deep in the shaded azaleas but it is hard to resist a try.



Time to head out and get to the dedication ceremony. I was pleasantly surprised to find one of the adult Barred Owls at eye-level preening over the creek.



I snapped a few shots and then began hearing the juveniles calling nearby. One had to be very close. In fact, I nearly walked into it as it hid in the leaves which made it fly to another tree. On the ground, though, was the other young bird watching a pair of Northern Cardinals flying back in forth. These birds are so used to people walking around that it takes a a lot to get them interested in anything other than their task and just to have one turn to look at you is nice.



Not a bad little jaunt. Of to Lake Lotus where I hope to get a little more birding in before the speeches begin.

Orlando Warblers

What better way to end a full week of rain by having to head to work on a Saturday. Yay. Clouds were still low and misting but I decided to drive around Lake Lancaster just because. As I slowed to a stop half way around I noticed a bird flying in from across the lake which then landed behind the retaining wall. I stepped out to confirm what I thought it was and was able to spy and juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron that also spied me and took off before I could even think about going back for the camera. It flew off to the far side of the lake.

I walked along the shore for a bit and found myself suddenly surrounded by warblers. Lots of warblers. I ID'd several species before a male Cape May made me curse myself for not having my camera every second. I scurried back and started the walk again. Most of the birds were Blackpoll Warblers.



Dozens of Blackpolls flitted through the branches but, man, how difficult it is to take photos of hungry warblers in tight quarters.



Most of the Blackpolls were male but there were a few females in the mix.



I was able to relocate the Cay May Warbler but it stayed in the shadows. You can still make out that beautiful color, though.



A few Black-throated Warblers, Magnolia Warbler, and American Redstarts were coming into view as the birds covered several trees just above the lake.



Northern Parulas are easy to find once they return here in March but they are still fun to watch and listen to.



A few Common Yellowthroats chased one another through the Cypress trees and rounded out the species count.



Oh, yeah. I have to go to work. Though I could stand here all day.

Walking Greenwood

Headed back to Greenwood Wetlands to see if I could find any signs of the Green Heron chicks. No such luck. They finally left the tree and have moved on. So, time for a walk of the full perimeter for the first time in years. Just outside of the car I found a very curious Red-bellied Woodpecker. A little out of focus in the shade but it does show the red belly more than most shots you can get.



One of the main reasons I was down here was that I had a report from Gail that she had seen our baby Barred Owl down in the wetlands. Wanted to get a shot of it in its new digs. Unfortunately, I could not locate it. So, other birding it is. easily distracted when I hear Jays going crazy. Main reason was a Blue Jay chick begging for food. I barely managed a shot as they all jumped from place to place.



Off to my right, a family of Mallards moved about while a Double-crested Cormorant plowed through the waters in search of food.



I made it over to the Green Heron spot and, like I said, there were no chicks up in the tree any longer. I did see an adult fly by but that was it. Until I happened to look up and saw movement in the trees. Definitely a warbler but I would have to get in a better spot for a chance to see what it was. Soon, I could tell it was a Blackpoll Warbler but only managed a few ID shots. Seems a bit late for warblers.



Under the shade of the Cypress trees, a pair of Wood Ducks rests and waits for me to move along.



Only heard a couple of Red-winged Blackbirds out near the lake but this one made it over our way.



Time to head back. I ended my visit with the same birds as when I arrived. A young Red-bellied Woodpecker was chasing its parent who spent a few minutes checking me out and digging deep for insects in the tree bark. Always fun to watch.



I will check back for the owls later but it is still pretty bridy without finding them.