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.

Been Awhile

It has been too long since I was able to visit Mead Botanical Garden. Now that Fall migration is kicking in I decided now was the time. That and reports of some more rare birds being sighted got me out early.

The beginning of the trip was promising but the Sun was making shots difficult but birds were definitely here. By the time I got to the concrete bridge I did find a Cape May Warbler foraging over the water.



I was there for a different flycatcher but soon a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher landed mere feet in front of me. Of course, it flew off as I aimed the camera. I had to try and chase it for a couple of minutes, only getting a brief ID shot before it flew off over the pond.



I got to the wooden bridge to find a female Anhinga basking in the rising Sun. I stayed at the far end and she eventually flew off. Moments later, the flycatcher I was there for dropped down maybe 4 feet in front of me devouring an insect. Like the Yellow-bellied, it flew before I could click for a nice up close shot.



So I waited at the bridge hoping it would return. In the meantime, I was joined by other birds including a Prairie Warbler.



Then a Red-eyed Vireo made a quick stop and a peek-a-boo treatment. They are hard to photograph as they move so quickly through the branches, usually higher above in the trees.



A male Anhinga decided to drop into a Cypress across from be to soak up the sunlight.



Another Prairie Warbler pranced through another Cypress as I continued my watch for my prize.



An "Elephant ear tree", (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), spreads over the wooden bridge and at one point a male Cape May Warbler spent time feeding among its branches and paused for a moment to provide me my best ever shot of this species.



I was prepared to leave when I decided to do something I typically never do. I played a sound clip in hopes of seeing if the bird I was after was still nearby. Moments later the bird I was here for, a Least Flycatcher emerged from the bamboo for a quick minute. I have been trying to get one of these birds on my List for years. Nemesis, no more!



Next Sunday is the official start of Fall migration and I will be spending full weekends trying to capture and band birds at the banding site. More fun ahead!

First Palm Warbler of the Season

You know we are settling in for the good birding when the first Palm Warbler of the season shows up.



Next up will be buntings and wintering ducks. Let the games begin!

Leading a Hike

Orange Audubon has started holding Spring Migration bird walks in addition to their previous Fall walks out at Mead Garden and I was asked to lead one of the groups today. The attendance has been pretty high this year and we need to split up into two group so no one area is too crowded. My group headed to the Southern side of the gardens while Larry headed toward the Butterfly garden just to the North.

Our first bird was a fast moving Palm Warbler. Most other Palms moved North not long ago. This one busy trying to catch some tiny moths. There is one in its bill.



We headed to the 'ear-trees', (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), and started to find several Warblers but they were so high in the tree it made photos pretty difficult. However, we did record Northern Parula, Black and white Warbler, and Cape May Warblers here.

Barred Owls are out of the nest but the youngsters were tucked in some foliage while one of the adults sat in the bright morning sunlight.



We did not find too many birds out this morning but the Gray Catbirds gathered in large numbers down by the new bridge by the creek. They were eating fruit from the palm trees. Not too far away we entered the boardwalk and were quickly met by a small flock of Cedar Waxwings and a often hidden female Cape May Warbler.



Over in the willows, a Prairie Warbler darted in and out of leaves in search of insects.



Out in the open, a male Black and White Warbler prowled the branches and tree trunks just past the railings.



Before we exited the boardwalk I spied beautiful a Five-lined Skink along the rails.



Folks began to drift apart by the time we got to the Butterfly Garden. Time for a sit down at the benches. I spotted a Great-Crested Flycatchers darting around the back of the lawn so I tried to outflank it for a photo. Success!



Over at the Clay Pit we checked for any migrants in the mulberries. Nope. We instead watched a Great Blue Heron swoop in and do a short bit of hunting before it nabbed a snake.



Upon closer inspection it appeared to be a Banded Water Snake. Yum!



One the way back to the car I stopped by the Red-shouldered Hawk's nest. I didn't look too closely first thing in the morning but now we could clearly see 2 little fuzzy heads bopping around up there.



Finally, I got to see one of the juvenile Barred Owls before I headed home.



Some interesting birds for the day and some warblers even I was wanting to see. Now we settle in for the hot months and dream of Fall migration.

Searching Mead Botanical Garden

Took a run over to Mead Botanical Gardens to see if any migrants were around after my lake checks. The only thing of note at Lake Lancaster was the Great Blue Heron rookery that is starting to show some signs of new chicks.



I got out of the car at Mead to the sound of a large flock of Cedar Waxwings. Unfortunately, they dropped into a very tall oak. I hope these are not the best shots I get of Waxwings this year but there is not much time left before they leave.



I headed into the gardens and when I got to the cement bridge I heard some high pitched calls from nearby. Baby birds, but where? Then it hit me. They were in the nest box just overhead. The box (actually put there years ago by Richard from our banding site) has seen better days. It appears squirrels have been at work over time. Still, it is being used.

It took a few minutes of waiting to see by which species. There was a blur of a bird leaving the box as I got closer but I couldn't tell what kind. Soon the blur returned past me and into the box. Chicks cried out for food and I trained my lens on the box opening. Soon, an adult Tufted Titmouse was staring out to make sure the coast was clear before heading out for more bugs.



I didn't see the owl family where I expected them. I did hear them later but came away with no photos. Over the back of the original amphitheater a Great Egret preened all alone.



The Lizard's tail is finally reestablished itself after being nearly unseen for many years. Don't remember when it declined. Perhaps it was the hurricanes in 2004. The blooms are now back all over the wet areas like I remember from when I started coming out in the late 1990's.



Today the Golden Aster was nearly as profuse along the boardwalk.



Sitting in the shade and whispering was a near motionless Gray Catbird.



On the way out I found one of the reasons there were not a lot of small birds in the open. A Red-shouldered Hawk stood watch on a snag. They have a nest not too far from here for the past couple of years.



Stopping by the cemetery on the way home I finally saw something up in the Bald Eagle nest. See it? To the right of the fishing bobber is a roundish shape behind the sticks. Eagle chick! About time.



Still pretty quiet overall. I thought this was Spring migration? Sigh.

Mead Garden Wood Duck

I needed to get out at least one day the the Great Backyard Bird Count so I headed over to Mead Botanical Garden and counted what I could. I was really pretty quiet. So much so that I only took a few pictures and most of them were of this drake Wood Duck that flew into the pond as I was walking toward it. There were a few other Wood Ducks along the creek but I guess he just wanted some alone time.



That was just fine by me. I love Wood Ducks. Typically they are very skittish and swim away even if you are just driving close in a car. This guy just took his time drifting toward and across from me as I took photo after photo.



Maybe I was taking too many photos because I got the "Really?" stare as he drew up along the weeds. Yes, really, Mr. Wood Duck. One of those things I do.



I think he would stayed there for some even closer shots but out of the back of the pond a flock Mallards began to swim towards him and he decided to not mess with them so he bid me adieu.



Little minutes like that make up for the lack of other birds. Any day.