Finally, Another Robin Frenzy!

Cruising through the Greenwood Cemetery to check on the Bald Eagle nest I noticed a bit of bird activity on the ground around the bend. We have had a pretty slow Winter when it comes to migratory birds but I showed up at the right time for one of the annual American Robin feeding frenzies. Before these birds head back toward the North they swarm the trees and landscape for al the fruit they can get to fatten up for the journey. They really like Camphor berries.



I took my usual spot under the big Camphor tree and soon the Robins were dropping down to make sure I was no threat before they resumed their feast.



Other birds were inspecting the tree like this Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker. This cemetery is my reliable place for this species.



A Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler posed for a few seconds in the middle of her search for insects. Yellow-rumps and Cedar Waxwing numbers were way down this season. Particularly the Waxwings that often trail the Robin flocks.



This male American Robin barely gave me a second glance as he swooped down directly beneath my perch. I could hardly get him in focus!



He soon wandered a few more feet out in the open and started gulping fruit.



I am not sure if I will get another chance to find a feeding flock again this Winter. It is almost time for them to go home. Just have to enjoy it while I can.



Next year, bring your Waxwing friends along with you, please. Though I love you guys just as much.

New Red-headed Woodpecker!

Made another check on the Bald Eagle nest but still can't get any views of the chicks yet. Just Momma sitting there as tiny heads moved back and forth.



Trying for a new angle, I drove to the other side of the tree when a flash of black and white flew past me. I have seen that flight pattern and coloration before but never here. I pulled closer and the bird flew to a farther pine tree but my guess was now confirmed. It was a Red-headed Woodpecker!



Red-headed Woodpeckers do breed out at Wekiwa Springs and we started seeing them at Mead Garden and now here. Seem to be spreading South.



Which is fine by me! Red-headed Woodpeckers fun birds to watch.



Lurking below was a Yellow-shafted Flicker, another woodpecker that has been breeding here for years.



I hope this isn't the last time I see our new bird species in the cemetery.

Quick Trip Through Mead

We closed up our nets at the end of our weekly banding session and, as I often do, I swung by Mead Garden for quick look around. I was hoping to relocate the Rufus Hummingbird that has been there but it was not to be. There was a large Jewish wedding gearing up and the music and foot traffic was increasing every minute. Not the best hummingbird environment. So, I decided to do a quick scan for anything else. The biggest surprise was a female Merganser hanging out in the Clay Pit retention pond. First time I have ever seen a pond bird in there.



I headed through the butterfly garden and stepped onto the boardwalk and was quickly met by several Western Palm Warblers



I could hear American Goldfinches out in the marshy areas but they were way up in the Maple trees.



I just missed a great shot of a Northern Flicker as we surprised each other as I approached a tree. Had to settle for a distant shot.



Many Myrtle Warblers were feeding in the grasses and willows. The flocks were very active and on the move.



Not too bad for a few minutes but I still want to see that hummingbird again. Maybe next week.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
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One Last GBBC Count for the Year

The Great Backyard Bird Count ends today so I had to head out early and get in one more report. I took the camera along just in case but didn't really plan of using it for some reason. Turns out I used it quite a bit.

Ring-necked Ducks are thinning out as we head toward Spring but it was nice to find a Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker around the lake. Can't recall seeing the feathers so pretty before.



Finished the count at Lake Davis and headed over the Lake Lancaster. Hasn't been a lot of birds there of late but I knew I could add at least a few more species. I always seem to forget about certain birds that are so common like Boat-tailed Grackles. Until they turn and catch the sunlight.



Just feet away was a Tri-colored Heron feeding amongst the Mallards.



Started hearing loud calls soon afterwards and first thought someone grabbed themselves a Peacock. Then it dawned on me that it was a Limpkin creating all the racket. Then it flew in near me for verification. I couldn't get a good shot through the tree branches so I had to settle for a Little Blue Heron in another part of the tree being extremely quiet.



That count done, it was time to swing through the Greenwood Cemetery to check on the Bald Eagle nest. As I have mentioned before, I was trying to get a shot of one of the chicks. I did see that there are definitely two chicks in there but only one was up in the open.



The adults flew back and forth dropping off fish for the chicks and I managed to get a shot of one of the adults taking off back to gather more food.



While awaiting the return of the adult Eagles, I noticed some movements of Pileated Woodpeckers around the area. They eventually headed over to the tree where the eagles had the nest before. This now dead tree is currently the home of the woodpeckers and I hope to get some shots of the chick in the future. For now I settle for the female peaking out of the nest hole.



Just above the nest hole were a pair of European Starlings trying to figure out if they could find residence in another cavity in the same tree.



As I waited for the woodpeckers to return I was greeted by the calls of a Northern Mockingbird just under the dead tree in a shrub. It allowed me close approach to get some shots.



So close that I could get action shots of it singing away. Awesome views, awesome songs. Spring is here. Finally.



What will reveal itself next? Still waiting for the Robins and Waxwings.