Hoo Is It?

So, I was just minding my business trying to clean out the closet and got caught up reviewing old photos. Nothing new there but there was a strange series of calls coming from the front of the house. Soon, I could make out Blue Jays making alarm calls. I grabbed the binoculars and rushed outside.

Jays were calling loudly. Gnatcatchers were flying in to add their cries. Cardinals swooped in, chipping wildly. An unidentified warbler hovered on the far side of the bushes. Something had to be in there. I circled around and searched. Eventually I found the subject of their distress.



An Eastern Screech Owl! I have posted shots of them before but those were all at night. They are much harder to find resting during the day. Unless you can get some help from the local birds.



The bush is so tangled with branches that it was very difficult to get any clear shots but I kept trying.



One last shot as my oldest son arrived and I showed him our new guest. The owl is actually looking at him.



The owl stayed in the bush for a couple of hours. I could see its shadowy shape tucked in between the branches from inside the house. By the time I headed out for groceries just before dark I noticed it had left.

Off to find food like me, no doubt.

Tennessee Warbler

I was busy filling the feeders before I woke the boys for school. It was just getting light and I noticed some movement in the Beauty Berry bush out back. The Mockingbirds have been there lately but this seemed smaller.

I ran back in for the camera and got a few not-so-great shots to make an ID when I had time. After looking through them I was still a bit stumped so I emailed some friends and they all came to the same conclusion.

I had a new Yard Bird. A Tennessee Warbler!



It seemed to be picking off bugs from the branches rather than actually feeding on the berries.



One last try before it ducks into the foliage.



Soon after I got those poor shots I noticed several other birds joining the model subject. More Tennessee Warblers. They all flew off together and I did not see anymore afterward. So much for hoping for clearer shots but a nice way to start the day.

Cooper's Hawk Surprise

Yeah, I heard the Blue Jays squawking. I decided they are lately just chasing out another hawk and I rarely see the object of scorn so I sat tight. Then I headed through the kitchen about 15 minutes later.

Since I can see down the hallway that leads out to the backyard on this trip I always glance out to my left and , LO!, a Cooper's Hawk was sitting on the fire bowl! Ran to get the camera and caught the first shot through the screened back window.



I was about to walk outside when it suddenly began flying low over the yard and then settled on the back feeder area.



I bet it was chasing my Carolina Wrens by the way it started at the fire bowl, the Wren's favorite haunt, then kept low to the ground. Doesn't seem it was successful and then got tired of my approach. It then flew in extended circles overhead and finally took off.

Exciting!

Lake Lotus, September 20th, 2009

Common Yellowthroats were majority of the day's birds. We also had our first Black-throated Blue Warbler of the season and other bird.

See the latest Lake Lotus blog to view our latest report.

Getting antsy awaiting peak of migration!

Ferndale Preserve

Had a trip with the Orange Audubon today and we started south of Clermont. That scheduled trip was fairly quite so we added a bit more birding by following Gallus to his usual haunt out at the Ferndale Preserve.

There were mainly Tufted Titmice and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and the occasional flock of Swifts and Swallows but it was also getting late in the day and HOT.

By the time we made it out to an open area a female American Kestrel took wing and circle off into the distance.



It took quite a while to get any more bird sightings. Tapes were used to call up a nice Northern Waterthrush which was joined by a couple of warblers but nothing too exciting.

Out of the blue, an Eastern Kingbird dropped in at the top of a nearby tree.



While the group was trying to make sure there were no other warblers hiding in a tree, I walked around the next tree ahead and noticed a bird flying out to grab insects. Had to be a flycatcher by the way it flew out and returned to the same spot at the top of the tree.

Indeed. But what species?



My first thought was an Acadian Flycatcher. Further study when I got the pictures home was that it wasn't since it wasn't green enough. Which leads us to wonder if it was a Traill's version.



If so, it would most likely be an Alder Flycatcher in our area. That is what I think I am calling this bird after consultations and research.



If anyone feels it is something else, please let me know! Wish it would have come down lower for better photos.

Ferndale should be a fun spot to band in the future, especially after they get new landscape improvements finished which are now just beginning.

Lake Lotus, September 13th, 2009

Thanks a lot storm front! Not.

We had a large storm system that flowed in from the West and continued up the state toward the North. This effectively blocked any new migrants from reaching us by the morning.

That's my story, at least.

We did manage to band a couple new migrants, though. Check out the latest Lake Lotus blog to see our latest report.

Weather should return to a more normal seasonal pattern next week.

Northern Parula

MIgration seems almost in full swing. I can tell because the Northern Parulas are back in the neighborhood.

Though not uncommon in the area, Northern Parula don't usually stop in the yard except for Fall migration and when they return in early Spring when they are extremely vocal.

I almost didn't even notice the pair in the yard until some raptor flew by and the Northern Parulas flew quickly into the Mulberry bush behind me. Later on, they were still feeding in the trees and I noticed them in the Cherry Laurels.



Must be good pickings since all the birds were finding plenty of snacks among the leaves.



Can't wait for the next big wave of migrants!

Ospreys at Merritt Island

Took a drive over to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to try and spot the reported White-rumped Sandpipers hanging out along Bio Lab Road. I found them but they were too far out to get any good shots.

However, there were other birds along the lagoon including Black Terns, many waders, and more peeps. The strong winds seemed to have pushed the warblers inland.

One bird species that seemed quite happy today were the Ospreys. They were streaming by every couple of minutes and every one of them had a meal in their talons. This bird was across the road and getting ready to have lunch.



It was interesting to watch this bird with that fish seemingly barely held onto and very much alive. Every now and then the fish would begin wriggling and the Osprey would have to try and keep its balance while holding on.



At one point an Osprey flew by riding the wind really quickly. I managed to snap a slightly out of focus shot. Though I didn't see it at the time, when I got home to process the photos I noticed that this bird actually had TWO fish. One in each talon!



No other great birds shots today but the gators are always posing somewhere along the canals.



I updated my annual pass so I can't wait to get some more visits in this Fall through Spring.

New Carolina Wren

I started to add this post and was going to reference an earlier post. Turns out I never posted this pic before! So...

There has been a young Carolina Wren hanging out in the yard this year. A very curious little bird who often flies up close to me to see what is going on while I walk through the backyard. I finally had the camera near the front of the house when it visited the sunflower feeder there and it posed sweetly for a couple minutes.



While filling feeders today I heard a bird calling in the Turk's Cap bush. I couldn't peg the call and ran in to grab the tape record to try for an audio sample. By the time I rushed around the side yard the tune had changed to a more familiar Carolina Wren "tea kettle" call.

I soon located the bird as it sang and hopped around.

This evening, as we readied the grill for shishkabob, I noticed the wren investigating one of its favorite spot under the fire pit. I pointed this out to my wife and then was shocked to see a second shape joining the first.

Seems our little guy has brought along a girlfriend!

Nice to see. Goes along great with the big flock of Red-eyed Vireos that visited today.

Lake Lotus, September 6th, 2009

Some day I will get around to actual birding outside of my banding days. However, for now, can you smell the arrival of Fall? I can.

One of the main reasons is revealed in the latest Lake Lotus blog entry. Stop by here to see some new migrants and new flora shots.

Birds are on the increase across Central Florida. Gotta catch as many as possible!

Lake Lotus, August 30th

A little less sweat, a few more birds, and other interesting finds.

We caught two new migrants and found a new partner in fighting Air Potatoes. For the full scoop, head here.

The tropical storms can keep sweeping North as far as I am concerned. Last year we were flooded by Fay at this time.

Lake Lotus, August 23rd

One hour during Saturday afternoon, the radar and weather sites were threatening our next day out. By the evening things changed to a clearing sky. This proved true and the day was still hot but not too bad this week.

Many birds were seen flying due south but there was not a lot of low level activity. We still caught a new migrant and saw many interesting things. For various fauna pics, head here.

Birds on the rise. Can't wait for September.

Lake Lotus, August 16th

Week 2. Hot, hot, hot.

Dripping with sweat, we caught another new migrant and caught another unexpected bird. Check it out here and if you live farther north, be thankful of cooler climes. For now.

Lake Lotus, August 9th

A new banding season has begun!

Read all about the first day back after clearing invasive plants here and see what new migrant species we banded made the entire hot day worth it.

Great Black-backed Gull

We had a day to play.

The goal was a trip to the beach and Jetty Park, just a hop-skip south of the shuttle launch pads, was chosen to get the kids out into the outdoors. Heat be damned.

As we hauled the beach gear down to the beach early in the morning, I noticed a very large gull down by the waves. Camera always in tow, I excused myself to make sure I could record what ever it was before 'trying' to relax for the rest of the day.

Happily, it turned out to be the suspected species it was. A juvenile Great Black-backed Gull!



Other birds made appearances throughout the morning but this bird made the day a total joy. Spending time with the family was good too!

Gorgeous bird.

Young Grackle

Spent a short time at the parents over on the west coast of Florida. I tried to get a few shots of different birds but all I was able to find of interest was this young Common Grackle following its parents around the yard.



Better than nuthin'...

Jay Watch, 2009

Checking my files I realize that I have been remiss on posting about this year's Jay Watch in the area. Yikes!

Every year, volunteers assist the biologists all over the state of Florida in trying to count Florida Scrub Jay populations in all of their known habitats. This year I once again helped out at the Lake Monroe Conservation Area between Sanford and Osteen.

It is performed every year after the Jay chicks are out of the nests so counts can be done of any new birds entering the population. I didn't get as many shots as in past years but still managed to get a few interesting photos.

The main family group we observed on both days was very evident and the juveniles often popped up to see what these humans were doing in their house. In this shot, an adult puts itself in between me and the baby.



Rules state that we cannot call up Jay when predators are about and there are plenty at some times. Such as the Swallow-tail Kites that take wing once the thermals pick up.



Standing in designated spots playing Jay recordings also lends one to view other wildlife such as the resident Six-lined Racers chasing ants under the brush.



Our second day found us chasing the same family by the end of the day. They were all confined to one small area and seemed to prefer the viewing from this one large pine tree by the road. Here is one of the juveniles.



From time to time, the young birds would fly over to this dead tree in the scrub. The open mouths were due to the heat and the birds were not actually calling at the time.



Our main focus was trying to record birds already banded to gauge their movements. Lack of bands, besides birds in juvenile plumage, would reveal new birds either added to the family or new additions. The color combination on this adult are only on this particular female of the family.

Note the differences of color on the nape of these birds. The adult is blue while the juvenile is grey.



Always a joy to help out and see these remarkable birds. Though the days are grueling, it is good to head out knowing we are helping our endemic bird species. I have been participating for 3 years and will be back again in years to come.

White-winged Dove Feeding

Yet another appearance of our visiting White-winged Dove. This time near dark. The bird swooped down as clouds moved in and began to feed all alone. Though this photo suggests that the bird wasn't sure it was alone.



I have never seen more than one White-winged Dove in the yard at the same time but I still get very excited when I see one at all.



Breaks up that usual Mourning Dove crowd we have every day. It also doesn't seem to gorge like its smaller cousins do.



Kind of glad I haven't found any Eurasian Collared-Doves here for some reason, though they have been seen not too far away from time to time.

I Thought We Were Done With Babies?

We have had a few Northern Cardinal chicks around through the Spring and when I heard a young bird calling a couple weeks ago I noticed an adult feeding a begging older chick. So when I heard another young Cardinal begging I figured it was the same one.

However, this new bird flew over to the kitchen feeders and revealed itself as a brand new chick!

Today, I managed to get a shot of our new arrival in between feedings by the back deck.



A bit more new life before migration gets underway.

Young Woodstorks

Taking the boys to a Summer Camp and something caught my eye as we swung past Lake Davis. A young Wood Stork was hanging out near the eastern drain.

Hoping it would remain until I returned, I sped back for a few shots. Luckily, it was still there in good light.



As I was trying to get shots, a slightly older bird flew in to give another set of shots.



A good way to get ready for a day of web research and I always love to see the increase of these once endangered birds.