Purple Martins and Spotted Sandpiper

The oldest had to attend a luncheon at church some I hauled him out and since I was waiting I remembered that the Purple Martins should be back at Baldwin Park nearby. When I first arrived there were no birds to be seen.



I wandered around a bit until I spotted a bird circling overhead. A Purple Martin for sure. She flew in quickly and I approached quietly as she went inside the apartment. As soon as I focused on the hole she bolted out straight toward me.



Not too much later, Papa flew in and surveyed his territory.



Once the lunch was finished, we headed home and I finally found a shorebird at Lake Emerald. A Solitary Sandpiper was feeding, as its name implies, alone.



In the middle of the quickly evaporating lake, a Tricolored Heron pants to regulate its temperature in the warming afternoon.



Nice to have a couple of new birds for the year.

The Lakes and Spotting Baby Barred Owl

I swung by Lake Lancaster in the morning so I could hopefully get some better shots of the Solitary Sandpiper in daylight. Yep. Still in the same place as the night before.



Nearby, a Tricolored Heron was hopping around trying for minnows.



A high-pitched whistling alerted me to incoming Cedar Waxwings. The flock zoomed past and headed out over the main part of the lake.



Back at home I remembered to go out back and check the nest tree. The adult Barred Owls have been getting more and more vocal and for good reason. I can finally see a tiny head peering out of the nest. Yay!



It won't be long before I start hearing the wheezing call of our new owl. Maybe they will stay around the house for a while like they did last year.

The Return of a Sandpiper

It felt like we should be seeing arriving Northbound migrants. Sure enough, this evening a single Solitary Sandpiper was on the muddy areas of Lake Lancaster.



Over at Lake Davis, there are still a few American White Pelicans hanging around.



They soon soon began swimming around the lake's edge as the Sun headed behind the horizon.



I tried to get a shot of the first Mallard ducklings of the season but they scooted around the reeds too quickly. But then a female Common Yellowthroat popped out just before dark.



Should be seeing more migrants any day now.

Solitary Sandpiper. Really?

Time to count the birds. Again. "Don't you ever get tired of it?" Not really. Over a the church pond I was greeted by a Little Blue Heron in the parking lot. I different angle for once.



I tallied the usual suspects and was about to leave as the sun was setting and I needed to head home. Then something caught my eye hiding behind a tiny branch. A Solitary Sandpiper!



I can't recall ever seeing this species on their way south. They usually stay on the coast going down Florida. I do expect Solitary's in the Spring on the way home when they stop by our local lakes.



We have had a lot of rain and the lakes are full so there is not a lot of shoreline of flat areas that sandpipers like. Good for the arriving ducks. Just wasn't expecting this fella.



I will check to see if it is still around in the morning but I bet it heads out overnight. Nice that it gave me a little bit of its time this evening.

Lake Lancaster Variety

So, yesterday's dearth of birds at the gardens means I need a fix at a place I know has the birds right now. Back to Lake Lancaster. The usual birds were there and today I had a small flock of White Ibis right on the shore so I could get some great shots. All of the adult birds were in breeding plumage. In White Ibis it expresses itself with bright red facial skin.



You gotta love those blue eyes, too.



There was one juvenile in the mix. They begin their life a brown-ish gray and molt into bright white.



My favorite shot was this bird apparently looking for something on the ground.



Out on the recently exposed sandbar was one of the adult Great-blue Herons from the rookery group.



There was another heron to the right and it took me a few seconds to realize that this was one of the juveniles! Compare the two and you will see the subtle differences.



I was looking for the Spotted Sandpiper over at Lake Emerald the last couple days but it was not there. Too much human activity. Seems that made it fly the few blocks over here!



One of the Muscovy Ducks wandered out by the shore. A lot of folks really dislike Muscovys. I think they can be quite pretty at times. Their chicks are flat out adorable. Yeah, I said it.



Winds were picking up and the light was right for watching the shorebirds like the increasing number of Solitary Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs.



They were weary of me but actually got closer to me than the past couple weeks. Nice when they come to you.



Over on the far side of the lake Snowy Egrets wade through the water and pluck fish from the waves. Love these birds in breeding plumage, too. It was those fluffy feathers of breeding egrets that almost led to their demise back in the day. All for fashion...



Our last bird of the day is yet another Solitary Sandpiper. This is the bigger concentration of this species in Orlando that I have seen over the years. They won't be here much longer.



Tomorrow is banding and a trip to Winter Park for dinner. What surprises await?

Some Migrants Found

My one day off. The winds have shifted from North to South meaning I bet most migrants took off already but I need to do some checking. First stop? You know. Lake Lancaster. The Limpkin family I reported about a while ago have moved down to the bend toward the lake since their original home is even more dried out and snails are more plentiful in the new spot.



The area has the same birds as yesterday but I like this Solitary Sandpiper shot better than yesterday's.



The Mallards are also looking a bit more colorful today.



Unlike yesterday, I can hear a loud noise over at the Great-blue Heron rookery. An adult was flying in and now I can see the young birds. They aren't little at all! I was looking at juveniles but they were already almost as tall as the adults. I completely missed the newly-hatched stage. Now they fight with each other as the adult keeps its food in its belly, for now.



Once I snapped out of that revelation I began looking for warblers in the oaks. The were several Western Palm Warblers but I was looking for what I saw as I left my house. Moments later I spotted one. A Blackpoll Warbler. This one has a nice juicy spider.



Unfortunately, this is how we see most Blackpoll Warblers this time of year. From below. When they do come out they aren't there long. At least they are easily recognized by their bright yellow legs.



I wanted to get over to Mead Garden so I didn't try to wait all morning for a clearer shot. I was hoping for more warblers over there. I did have to swing by Lake Emerald on the way and quickly came to a halt as I was driving past. Could that be? Yep. My first Spotted Sandpiper of the year!



It caught my eye immediately for some reason. It was feeding near one of the many Little Blue Herons like this immature bird. Little Blue Herons are born white and then get mottled before turning solid blue. Looks almost like it got splattered with paint.



I was trying to get some closer shots of the sandpiper while the herons in the water stayed statue still. What's a boy to do? Click. I have the entire reflection in the shot but wanted to get more detail in the bird for you, dear readers.



The Sandpiper was very jumpy and stayed exactly the same distance from me until it decided to fly back across the lake (OK, barely a pond by now) and landed on an exposed log. Not a bad mix after a million shoreline shots.



I get carried away. It is a nice new migrant, after all. But I need to get to other spots! I will try again for the closer shot of the sandpiper at another time.

Looking for More Migrants

By now, you can tell I have been spending a lot of time around Lake Lancaster. Still there every morning on the way to work and most evenings on the way home. Will be until the migrants clear out. Need to keep track on things like the fact that I once had the one Solitary Sandpiper but now there are at least 3. This guy wasn't here yesterday.



The different Yellowlegs are still in the same location, striding back and forth.



Across the lake is the Great-blue Heron rookery. I keep trying to see any young birds in there but I can't tell.



Scanning down back to the closer shore I find the Mallard family relaxing in the shallow water. Ducklings are getting more grown up.



Moving to the left revealed a Killdeer walking the shoreline in the golden morning sunshine.



Another leftward shift and I find another Yellowlegs in the shadows trying to be invisible.



Suddenly, a rapid movement to the right sent me spinning around and taking aim. A Muscovy Duck wings its way underneath the heron rookery.



Panning back to the left and I find a pair of Wood Duck zooming along in the opposite direction.



On the way out of the neighborhood I found one more Solitary Sandpiper. This one displayed its distinctive barred tail as it fed around the now exposed fish beds.



Back home in the afternoon I stepped out back to see if anything was around. Not too much but I did find a female Black-throated Blue Warbler sneaking around in the branches.



Nice. Haven't had one of them in the yard in a long time. I get a day off and should take a ton more photos. I am sure my first stop will be Lake Lancaster, again.

Still Checking on the Solitary Sandpiper

Back to the Solitary Sandpiper. As I drove up to the spot I noticed the Tri-colored Heron I posted about a few days ago. This time, instead of hunting it was preening on the banks.



Soon, I relocated the Sandpiper off to my right.



Maybe it is getting used to me a bit. It did let me move a little closer today but still kept a careful gaze in my direction. I love that white eye ring.



A few more shots and then I would take my leave. Glad this bird has decided to stay. Must be something good to eat in that mud.



Back to the left, the heron settled down on the grass to rest. It even let me head down the hill to get some really close shots.



Might have to use that for a desktop calendar for next month.