Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk

During a heavy rainstorm two days ago I noticed a female Mallard walking through the parking lot toward a retention pond. On her heel were 6 ducklings, all in a row.

The rain let up as I was heading home and I stopped for a couple of pictures.



The next day, someone mentioned that there were 3 ducklings. I mentioned that that makes 3 less. We have a healthy population of Red-tailed Hawks in the office area and I am sure the ducklings make an easy catch.

Today, a co-worker came over to me to say she thought there was a hawk that might be injured since it wasn't flying. It was just standing on the grass near the pond. I looked out and saw that it actually appeared to be eating something.

Not a duckling. Looked more like a lizard. I headed down and got a couple of shots. Other people were watching it outside by now. This juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk didn't seem to notice.



I followed it around for a while, taking more photos, and it soon flew to the opposite side of the building.



As for the fate of the remaining ducklings...time will tell.

Jay Watch, Day 2

Day 2 of Jay Watch and, indeed, I was assigned a new route. Maybe providing a photo from day 1 helped determine that they would like photos of other birds. This day we would be fairly guaranteed Jays to count.

We did pass a Jay preening along the trail side as we headed to our early check points but we couldn't count it. It wasn't in our area. It would have to be picked up by a trailing group assigned there. The next stop yielded nothing more than Downy Woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, and Carolina Wrens. Fun to watch but not good enough to count officially.

The following stop was close to the area where I got shots of one family the day before. I was even dropped off at a counting station in view of the tree where my shot was taken. I heard Scrub Jays almost as soon as I stepped toward my designated spot and didn't even have to play the recorded Jay calls.

I saw a couple of the Jays swoop in from the left. Hummingbirds fed from the overhead branches and soon Chickadees surprised me from over my shoulder. Then I noticed one of the Jays moving from shrub to shrub. It appeared to be the unbanded bird from yesterday.



The other bird I photographed was back up at her treetop perch soon afterward. I wanted more shots but the transport vehicle was heading back toward me. Time for the next check point.

There, I heard a couple of Jays off in the distance and could barely make them out in the heat shimmer. They just wouldn't head toward me and the tape player. Perhaps it was because they were right next to another check point blasting Jay calls as well.

We headed to the next points being told to keep a sharp watch out. A known family group usually stayed nearby. I played the tape and watched for my alloted time and then started to walk toward the other groups. As I watched the Black Vultures and Swallow-tailed Kites rising to meet the morning updrafts I noticed some small shapes bouncing through the pine branches and heading in my direction.

Seconds later, the scout landed just above me.




He was soon followed by 2, 4, maybe 5 other Scrub Jays. They landed close and then flew to new branches quickly. I decided I would be better off snapping photos than trying to get band IDs with binoculars so I fired away. I got many identifying shots. Even when they end unbanded like this bird it is good for record keeping.



We all met up near the transport vehicle and compared notes. The scout was now at the top of a pine tree right next to us. The remaining birds had dropped down into the scrub. We called to them once more. An adult female jumped up to investigate soon to be followed by a juvenile!

As far a cuteness goes, this young bird stole the morning. I hadn't even realized this shot looked like this until I got home and processed files. It is now my computer desktop.



It hopped around right in front of us for a while. Then, we found out that this bird was a young female. How? She began attempting the hiccup-like calls only used by the females. This shot was taken in mid-call.



We had a couple more check points to go but I ended up with probably my favorite pose just as we were leaving.



The last few check points were mixed. No birds where they had been seen before and some birds where they hadn't. The light was bad then as the rain clouds were building but we managed a few band readings. With those birds the day was concluded.

Not a bad tally. Only another year until the next counts.

(Scrub) Jay Watch

A weekend of tracking Florida Scrub Jays. What could be better? It is a yearly count that is held across the state of Florida to try and document the declining Florida endemic in many known habitats and determine the health of existing colonies and, hopefully, record any new generations as they appear.

Jay Watch counts like this are held just after breeding season so any new surviving chicks can be observed. It also tries to learn if any new birds have joined an existing family group or if a family has relocated to another area.

The only down side is that it happens when it is HOT! With many days of afternoon rain, however, it seemed much cooler than last year. I was also assigned to a new location. Last year I was next to the coast at Buck Lake. This year I helped at the Lake Monroe Conservation Area just off of Lake Monroe as it empties into the St. John's River.

Or is it enters the lake? The river does flow North...

On this first day of the three day count, I was given a ride by Alex, one of the several Saint John's Water Management team. The four of us stopped at our determined check points. At each stop we exited the car, played tape recorded Scrub Jay vocalizations, and waited to see if we could observe any jays.

We heard one at an early spot but did not see any until check point 28. There, Susan (another volunteer) was greeted by a family of four. I asked Alex to let me try and get a photo and to try and see any bands that might be on any of the birds. I could make out some yellow and white bands but the real proof was delivered by the couple of shots I got before the birds dropped into the surrounding scrub.



In the field I could only make out the bright colors but the photo revealed two more bands. Silver and dark green.

We had to call the last check points off due to Swallow-tailed Kites in the area. Unknown to me, these Kites are now considered predators in this instance as they have been seen swooping down at Jays in the area. Using tapes to call the Jays into the open would be inviting them to dinner.

These were the only Scrub Jays for our group on this day. Tomorrow, I might get a new route. We shall see what birds are in the other areas.

Burrowing Owls

Almost exactly 2 years ago I was tipped off to a Burrowing Owl location. To this day I have kept that location a secret and will continue to do so until told otherwise. I still get a rare occasion to drive near the spot but have not had the time to drop back in again to see if the owls were still there.

This year, I had to make a swing around the area and decided to spend at least a few minutes making sure if they were there or not. Developers are getting closer all the time. I feared the whole field that they inhabited would be paved over.

Happily, I was wrong.

I thought they may have moved on after a quick scan of the fences lines but I finally spotted a bird about 60 yards outs. I knew pictures would not be good but I snapped a few any way.

On the way back to the van I looked to my left and there, on another fence post much closer, was another owl. Watching me. It even let me get a closer view.



So, the birds are still hanging on in this changing landscape. I just hope that the owners of the properties can claim them as their own for as long as possible. These birds deserve a nice home.

Peach-faced Lovebirds

There were reports today of some 'new' birds not far from the house. I put new in quotes because they were actually reported 2 years earlier but never relocated by anyone. Even me.

But there they were. Peach-faced Lovebirds.



This time, they were noisy and easy to find. Better yet, they appear to have hatched some chicks this year after using the rocks on the side of a business building as nest holes.



I will have to keep some notes into the future.

Hawk and Owl Banding at ARC

A full slate of birds to band and an equally large group of volunteers and viewers! There are more pictures than usual in this post as we had so many birds and banders.

The birds to band today included 8 Red-shouldered Hawks a a few Barn Owls and an American Kestrel (Southeastern sub-species). Many got to take turns banding different birds. For several volunteers, this would be a first opportunity to do so.

Carol brought in the first hawk for banding and we all enjoyed viewing these beautiful birds about to be released back into the wild.



After Richard and I got the first few hawks banded, Richard's granddaughter, Sydney, had a first try at banding.



Once the hawks are banded they are weighed for the records. To do this, they are placed inside of a cardboard box...



...and placed onto a digital scale. The weight of the box (weighed previously) is subtracted to get the actual weight of the bird.




Christine looks on as Carol shows the stress bars on the young hawk's tail. Stress bars indicate growth rates on a bird much like tree rings suggest feeding rates of trees. You can see the points were the bird was growing fastest by the growth patterns in the tail feathers.



Next up, Cameron takes a turn at banding.



For the last Red-shouldered Hawk, Sydney's boyfriend Maxx gets the honor of banding a raptor.



The hawks were returned to their mews (a large structure where the birds can rest and recuperate) and the Barred Owls were brought out.



Scott McCorkle holds an Owl as Richard applies the band.



A close-up of the band being applied. You don't want your fingers in the middle of those talons!



FInally, the Kestrel was brought in. What a pretty bird. I am so used to seeing them so far overhead.



On the way back to the car I wanted to check on the progress of the Red-shouldered Hawks that I included in an earlier post. Just a couple of weeks and they are so much bigger!



As the season moves into Summer there is usually an increase in birds to be banded as storms displace young birds and are brought into the rehab center. Hopefully, there will not be too many but we will be ready to band them once they are fit enough for release.

Great-horned Owls at ARC

I couldn't escape work to help with the new owls that needed banding. They were set for the weekend but the date was moved up. But there some good shots from the day to post.

This time they had some Great-horned Owls. Wish I could have been there as those birds are extremely cool. Here Scott McCorkle holds up the first bird to band.



The bands are applied.



Sometimes it take 3 to get through the operation!



We have a bigger group of birds to handle during the upcoming weekend. Can't wait.

Northern Rough-winged Swallows

Just when I thought there would be nothing to chat about...

I had to make a run out to the Scout store just south of Apopka, FL. Cubs needed some belt loops and achievement pins and such. It was a nice day but I only had a short time in the middle of the work day.

On the way back out to the van I heard some calls far overhead. I couldn't determine exactly where they were at first. The echoes off of the building were a little distracting. Eventually, however, I spotted some soaring shapes in the clouds.

Once I spotted them my steps quickened. I nearly broke into a run to get to the camera! I have seen Northern Rough-winged Swallows flying by before but never had a chance to get a shot. I managed a few but they all turned out like this.



Still, not bad for them being so far above me. The birds drifted south on the winds as they called and darted. In a few minutes they were out of sight and out of ear-shot.

Right place, right time.

Grey Kingbirds at Honeymoon Island

How could I not stop by Honeymoon Island once I was so close to it after banding Purple Martins? We were only a few miles away. Glad we dropped by as we found many Grey Kingbirds all along the Osprey Trail in only a brief time. It was getting hot and I was hoping to find some other birds but the amount and close proximity of the Kingbirds was a real treat.

We did see many Ospreys at their nests but the Kingbirds caught my attention just after we entered the trail. Others were seen and heard as they called and chased one another throughout the abbreviated walk. Once we got near the parking lot again, the show really began.

I have only seen Grey Kingbirds up on power lines in the past. Today, they were feeding in the lower branches and made several stops just feet away in many different spots surrounding the restrooms and parking area. Who can resist eye-level views of this beautiful bird?



Some birds seemed rather oblivious to our close approach. Feeding was on the agenda!



It was very exciting to see them from any other view besides just staring at bellies.



Even when they were a bit higher up, they made perfect photo opportunities.



A great end to a quick birding check. Maybe we can stop back in for other birds next Fall or Winter. The beaches should be more full of other species by then.

Banding Purple Martins

Purple Martin landlord Susan Pulling put out a call on the bird lists in hopes of finding someone to band her new Martin chicks before they fledged and took off on their journey. The post was not long before the pelagic trip I was scheduled for but said I could help.

Hopefully, they would still be there by the time I arrived. According to her charts, they were set to take flight on the morning of the first chance I had available! We crossed our fingers and watched the clock and the gourds.

The day came. Susan said they were still there and we hurried over to her beautiful Dunedin home. Susan donned plastic gloves and we began extracting the chicks for banding. We tried a box first in hopes of getting a few at a time but they were so close to flight that we quickly decided that one at a time would be the way to go.



My oldest boy decided to tag along and I coaxed my Dad to join in, also. Someone needed to take photos and I figured he would enjoy the experience.



Usually when banding, there are at least two people at the table. One banding and one recording data. Today I had double duty.



Susan looks on as another chick is banded.



Here, I do a quick check of the just banded bird to see if every thing is A-OK.



A close-up of a newly banded chick.



Proud landlord and bander. This is Susan's first attempt to attract Martins and it turned out to be a great success. Next year, she will check through scopes to see if any of these same chicks return as adults to raise a new generation.



A fun new experience for all of us. Reports are that the chicks all left the very next day!

Owl Banding at the ARC

It is that time of year again when birds that have made it to the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka are ready to be released. We have been informed that many birds of different species will be readied for release in the next couple of weeks. The first of these birds were 3 Barn Owls.

Here is the first lucky customer that will be fitted with a new band before release.



Carol McCorkle collects and holds each bird as Richard applies the band.



The main order of business was finished quickly so I checked out a new addition to the center before heading back to work. The McCorkles have added an outdoor section to one of the mews so the young birds can get acclimated to the outdoors more quickly. Right now it is occupied by a few Red-shouldered Hawk chicks.



In due time, these chicks will also get banded and released.



Can't wait!

Pelagic Birding Trip

The day finally arrived. The trip was planned many months ago and seemed like it was so far away. Today we would depart from the marina at 3 AM and head 100 miles out across the Gulf Stream in search of pelagic birds. This would be my first Pelagic trip.

Much like air travel, I couldn't sleep as we headed out into the darkness. Too much to look at even in the pre-dawn hours. Shore lights. Boat lights. Lighthouses.

After the sun came up, and we were about 30 miles out, we had our first bird of the day. An Eurasian Collared-Dove. Odd. Occasionally, a small flock of warblers would pass by the boat. Once the waters began to get a bit more choppy the show was about to begin.

Our first sighting was a Bridled Tern but it was too far out to get any photos. Soon afterward the call came out for a more elusive bird. A Black-capped Petrel.



The arcing flight of these birds was spectacular to behold.

It wasn't too long after that when a Wilson's Storm Petrel made its way into view. We spotted many of these birds during the day and several followed behind the boat picking up pieces of chum laid out by the boat crew.



We eventually made it out to the eastern side of the Gulf Stream and the water turned a brilliant cobalt blue. Off in the distance we could all make out a flock of birds diving over a school of tuna. This is what we had been hoping to find. Among these birds were many Sooty Terns.



Joining the Terns were a few Audubon's Shearwaters.



During the trip we actually had a few weary warblers use the boat as a resting spot. This Common Yellowthroat would rest on the boat awhile, take off and circle the ship, then land in a different part of the boat. We were on near constant watch to make sure no one stepped on her as she searched the deck for crumbs.



When the waves got higher we had to hold on tight. I know I left the deck a few times as we rolled over the largest of the waves. Looks like I wasn't the only one!



The trip was called a little short as the captain thought the seas might be too rough for the long haul back but we did have some other exciting finds such as a Loggerhead Sea Turtle, a couple of Marlin fins, Spotted Dolphins, and a pod of Short-finned Pilot Whales which surfaced right next to us.



We arrived back at the dock again in the dark. 19 hours at sea. Would I do it again? Sure. Tomorrow? Nope. Maybe next year.