2016 St. Pete CBC, Part 2

Part 2 of the CBC post is going to be a bit more lengthy. I took so many more photos as the day went on and didn't expect to get many birds at the golf course. Settle in...

We headed back to Crescent Lake to look for our main target, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. We missed it the first two time. We were told where to look for the bird and as we got out of the car the first thing we found was a Red-bellied Woodpecker peeking out of a tree branch.



Gathered around the woodpecker were several European Starlings. They were all fussing at the woodpecker. Perhaps it use to be their nest site? Every now and then, one of the males would wave its wings about in protest.



It took a little while but Jim finally spotted our bird in the Sweet Gum tree between the parking lot and the lake. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is very well camouflaged against the tree bark. If you aren't looking at the right moment it is easy to miss them.



Now that it was later in the day we got a chance to get a better view of the Lesser Scaups and Ring-necked Ducks. The Scuap is in the center.



Among the Ring-necked Ducks was a leucistic female.



I love how grumpy this Lesser Scaup looks. Hur-umph!



One of the domestic duck present was a Graylag Goose who took some time to bathe as we were walking past.



Double-crested Cormorants were gathered along the shore. Great to have a chance to get a close look at those amazing eyes.



What I didn't know about Double-crested Cormorants is that the insides of their mouth can get that Robin-egg blue. Thanks for the yawn!



Not a lot of American Coots around but a few. Simply stunning in black and white.



Couldn't resist a shot of a feather resting on the lawn.



Laughing Gulls were gathered at the North end of the lake.



We were told that White-winged Doves could be found at the Dairy Inn. Nope. Just wanted to prove that we did check.



We did find another dove on the way back to the lake. A Eurasian Collared Dove.



Just past the tennis courts were a pair of Yellow-shafted Flickers.



We came back to the water tower and could here Monk Parakeets everywhere. Closer inspection revealed many nest wedged in the stairs and railings.



A lot of the Monk Parakeets would fly down to the oaks and chew on some acorns.



We stopped along a creek in search of more birds. Our leader, Jim McGinity, was trying to get a shot of the only House Wren we found today.



We were not thrilled to head to the golf course. We just figured there would not be that many species to be found out there. It was our final stop of the day. We loaded into carts and began our tour. If I hadn't have turned toward the practice range I would have missed our only raptor hiding in the shade. A Red-shouldered Hawk.



Jim and Killian were just ahead of me and seemed excited as they climbed out of their cart by a small pond. It was full of a couple dozen Northern Shovelers. I got my best shots of these birds ever today.



They were enthralled with the ducks but I spied something else across the pond. A Spotted Sandpiper!



The soon setting Sun lit up a female Northern Shoveler resting on shore.



Just in front of her were our only Mottled Ducks of the day.



Feeling a bit more bouyed by these unexpected finds, we made the turn toward the next fairway and came upon a small flock of Blue-winged Teal.



Behind them was a pair of Mallard. This is the best I could get of the green feathers.



Lurking along the shoreline was a feeding Roseate Spoonbill trying to stay hidden.



You can try to hide, Roseate Spoonbill. You can try...



Ospreys were busy diving for fish in all of the ponds. Just couldn't get those houses out of the way.



My final shot of the day was a Loggerhead Shrike perched as we were exiting the course. We then turned in the carts and totaled our birds before heading home.



Ten news species were gathered at the golf course. Who would have thunk it? Not a bad day but I was hoping for more species in total. But, we were in very urban environments so I guess we did alright. The final total for the St. Pete CBC ended up being 163 species which was a tie for the 3rd best count ever. I was there for all the top counts. Can't wait for next year.

When Swans Attack!

A woman up the road at Lake Concord have been raising Mute Swans for years. Once she has too many or can't handle them se releases them into the wild. A lot of birders don't like that since they are non-natives but I don't think there is too much they can do about it at this point. The dang things have pretty much established themselves in the nearby neighborhoods.

Right now it seems like it must be breeding time. The pair in Lake Cherokee are getting all fluffy .



I counted as many as 6 in the area today so when a stranger drops in our Lake Davis pair kick them out.



Once the rival has been ejected it takes awhile to come back in for a landing.



The city introduced Chinese Geese to many parks years ago and they live side by side with the swans but this male wanted nothing to do with the goose. The goose knows it and is swimming as fast as possible in the other direction. Check out the wake!



The goose was not going fast enough, though. The swan flew over and appeared to be trying to drown the thing. It eventually escaped.



Some other ducks moved around the argument and headed toward shore. I noticed then that one was a Northern Shoveler. Haven't been too many around this Winter.



So, a little excitement in the neighborhood. Now I wait and see if we get any signets this year. Two years ago they had their first. Last year there were 7.

Lake Apopka New Year's Drive, Part 2

Made my way back around to the start of the drive and got a shot of the new sign and gate at the entrance. Rather penal-looking. They are now automated and open at sunrise and close by sunset. At the exit gate, you have to stop in a specific spot or it won't open. Should be interesting once the the stormy season begins!



Just past the gate I had another cooperative Eastern Phoebe.



Northern Harriers are difficult to get photos of. At least for me. They are always tilting this way and that and I find it hard to get a shot of their heads. Got this one but wish the light was better and it was pretty far away.



Fulvous Whistling Ducks are often seen flying quickly from one side of the property to another but seldom sitting in the water. In fact, last year was my first official record of them but it was only by hearing them calling just past a clump of reeds. Today I decided to walk out along the back berm to see if I could get a shot. Fortunately, a small flock flew in as I walked so I was able to get some photos.



Exploring further, I spotted a Ruddy Duck drifting along behind some trees.



A lone Ring-necked Duck was a bit more in the back.



A pleasent surprise was a Gadwall resting on a branch.



American Wigeons have been reported so I was hoping to find them. A pair swam out as I headed back to the car.



I now have sightings of American Wigeon from coast to coast in Florida and my first was out in Washington State years ago. The male gave me a nice wave "Goodbye!"



There was also a report of some Northern Shovelers but I missed them the last time. Got one just before getting in the car (and out of the wind) hiding way behind the grasses.



Near the end of the drive I spotted a flock of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks wandering through the grass.



A final bird of the drive. One of dozens of Belted Kingfisher. This one stared at me for a while instead of darting off like all the others.



Two trips around the drive is a nice way to begin the year. Hoping to make many more journeys out in 2016. Still need to get that Swamphen...

Local Lake Search

This season has been so slow for migrants that I keep wondering why I even take my daily lake rounds to look for them. It has been consistently disappointing. A typical year usually has hundreds of Ring-necked Duck in the area. This year the best flock is on Lake Weldona with just over 30 birds.



There must be something out there just out of sight because I am starting to see more raptors on the move. This Cooper's Hawk was trying to stay hidden in a Cypress at Lake Lancaster.



On the opposite shore, the Great Blue Herons are preparing to nest in their usual oak trees.



On to Lake Davis to look for a reported bird I haven't seen in a few years. The first ducks I found were a couple of young Muscovy Ducks that were hatched last month.



Just when I thought I wasn't going to see any Anhinga, there she was.



A small flock of Blue-winged Teal have been hanging out this season. Mostly they cling to the shore under the shade. Today I caught one in the sunlight for a few seconds.



It seemed to take a while for the American Coots to show up this Winter but they are here and there around the area now.



Rounding the last part of my lake walk I spotted the birds I was after. Northern Shovelers congregate in large numbers over on the coasts but some years they venture inland. They are another duck that stays in the shade a lot.



Northern Shoveler males get pretty flashy. This is actually the 'dull' plumage.



A few more species in the area with a little while longer to go. I have yet to see a Cedar Waxwing this season which is really odd. Waiting and watching.