Bahama Mockingbird - Life bird #237

       Today's featured feathered friend is the Bahama Mockingbird, the "rarest" bird we've seen so far.  It was first observed on May 15th at Leffis Key on Anna Maria Island.  Our schedule opened up on May 17th, so we made it our "target bird" of the day.  We drove north to Leffis Key hoping it would still be there.  When we arrived we noticed many other birders at the site.  Hallelujah! the Bahama Mockingbird was still there.  We joined the others and followed the bird flying from one end of the parking lot to the other.  This bird knew that it was "a star".  It seemed to fully enjoy all of the attention it was receiving from the crowd.  It was certainly in the spotlight for nearly a week.  Sadly, it has not been reported seen since May 20th.

        The Bahama Mockingbird is native to the Caribbean.  It can be found in Cuba, Jamaica, the Turks and Cacaos Islands and in the Bahamas.  The American Birding Association (ABA) has given this species a code "4" status.  That means that this species is not recorded annually in North America, but has six or more total records, including three or more records in the past 30 years.  The last sighting on the Florida Gulf Coast was in May of 2010.

        Bahama Mockingbirds are brownish-gray above, white below, with streaking on the flanks and lower belly.  It also has a distinct malar streak (a moustache stripe).  They are more "secretive" and slightly larger than Northern Mockingbirds, with a slightly bigger body.  Both species are outstanding singers, although the Bahama is not known to mimic other bird species.
        Enjoy these photos of the Bahama Mockingbird, a rare bird indeed.....tweet.....tweet!!
     Listen to it singing by clicking here ------------->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqz_xPNJ0M0&feature=youtu.be .

        
http://birds.audubon.org/birds/bahama-mockingbird


http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/652/overview/Bahama_Mockingbird.aspx

Warbler Mania at Fort De Soto (Part #2)

        Late arriving Warblers are featured here in part #2 of Warbler Mania at Fort De Soto.  As of May 20th, there are still a few stragglers being reported, including many Blackpoll Warblers.  

        The late arrivals that we spotted include the Black-Throated Blue, Black-Throated Green, Blue-Winged, Cape May, Chestnut-Sided (life bird #234), Kentucky (life bird #232), Tennessee (life bird #230), Yellow, American Redstart and the Northern Waterthrush (life bird #234).  Late arrivals that we dipped on were the Bay-Breasted, Blackburnian, Blackpoll, and Magnolia.  The Blackburnian and Magnolia would have been new life birds for us.  

        Now we can relax for the summer and look forward to fall migration.  That will be our best chance to see the Wilson's, Canada and Nashville Warblers, all will be life birds for us.  It seems that these species migrate through Florida in the fall on their way south, but not in the spring on their way north.  Enjoy some of our favorite warbler photos from Fort De Soto during spring migration 2014.....tweet.....tweet!! 

Chestnut-Sided Warbler (Male)
(Life Bird #235)  (Taken 4/19/14)

Kentucky Warbler (Male)
(Life Bird #232)  (Taken 4/16/14)

Tennessee Warbler (Male)
(Life Bird #230)  (Taken 4/16/14)

Cape May Warbler (Male)
(Taken 4/16/14)

Black-Throated Green Warbler (Male)
(Taken 4/16/14)

Black-Throated Blue Warbler (Male)
(Taken 4/16/14)

Yellow Warbler (Male)
(Taken 4/19/14)

Northern Waterthrush
(Life Bird #234)  (Taken 4/19/14)

Prairie Warbler (Male)
(Taken 4/19/14)

Palm Warbler
(Taken 4/16/14)

Warbler Mania at Fort De Soto (Part #1)

          Warbler Mania was incredible at Fort De Soto this spring.  There were four "fallouts" during the migration season, all classified as "minor" events.  Overnight storms with high winds and rain kept birds grounded for a day or two.  However, during "extreme" fallouts, weather conditions can ground birds for many days.  Then it becomes necessary to walk carefully or risk stepping on tired, weather-beaten warblers that litter the ground. 

        Warblers started arriving in mid-March and a few stragglers are still being reported as of May 11th.  Certain species seem to arrive earlier in the season than others.  In Part #1 of Warbler Mania, we will feature the early arrivals.  They include the Hooded, Prothonotary, Worm-Eating and the Louisiana Waterthrush.  Early arrivals that we "dipped" on (seen by others, not by us) include the Swainson's, Cerulean and Golden-Winged, all of which would have been life birds for us.

        Another ten species of warblers can be seen in Florida during the winter months.  All of them were seen migrating north through Fort De Soto.  They include the Palm, Pine, Prairie, Yellow-Rumped, Black-and-White, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Yellow-Throated, Orange-Crowned and the Ovenbird.  We dipped on the Orange-Crowned, which also would have been a life bird for us.

        Enjoy some of our favorite warbler photos from Fort De Soto during spring migration 2014, and stay tuned for Part #2 of Warbler Mania.....tweet.....tweet!!

Prothonotary Warbler
(Taken 3/30/14)

Hooded Warbler (Male)
(Taken 3/30/14)

Hooded Warbler (Female)
(Taken 3/30/14)

Louisiana Waterthrush
(Taken 3/18/14) (Life bird #225)

Yellow-Throated Warbler
(Taken 3/18/14)

Northern Parula (Male)
(Taken 3/18/14)

Northern Parula (Female)
(Taken 3/18/14)

Black-and-White Warbler (Male)
(Taken 3/30/14)

Black-and-White Warbler (Female)
(Taken 3/18/14)

Common Yellowthroat (Male)
(Taken 3/18/14)

Pine Warbler (Male)
(Taken 3/18/14)

  

Migration Magic at Fort De Soto

        Spring Migration 2014 was fantastic!!!  There were four significant "fallout" events, the last occurring on April 18th.  Since then, the prevailing winds have been from the south.  These winds help migrating birds reach their summer breeding grounds in the north.  To learn more about how birds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico, here is a link to a very interesting 55 minute movie.  To see the movie click here ----> http://gulfcrossingmovie.com./Gulf_Crossing.html   You will be amazed.

        We spent over 30 hours at Fort De Soto during our four visits this spring and saw many species of songbirds.  Sightings included:  Vireos-White-Eyed, Blue-Headed, Red-Eyed, Yellow-Throated and Black-Whiskered (a life bird).  Tanagers-Summer and Scarlet.  Orioles-Baltimore and Orchard.  Grosbeaks-Blue and Rose-Breasted.  Buntings-Painted and Indigo.  Kingbirds-Eastern and Gray.  Other migrants we spotted were Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Swallow-Tailed Kites, Magnificent Frigatebirds and Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers. 

          Enjoy some of our favorite songbird photos from spring migration at Fort De Soto, and stayed tuned for "Warbler Mania at Fort De Soto", coming next.....tweet....tweet!!

Baltimore Oriole (Male)
(Taken 4/16/14)

Scarlet Tanager (Male)
(Taken 4/19/14)

Black-Whiskered Vireo
(Life Bird #230)  (Taken 4/16/14)

Blue Grosbeak (male left, female right)
(Taken 4/19/14)

Yellow-Throated Vireo
(Taken 3/18/14)

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Female)
(Taken 4/16/14)

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Male)
(Taken 4/19/14)

Summer Tanager (Male)
(Taken 4/19/14)

 

Indigo Bunting (Male)
(Taken 4/9/14)

Orchard Oriole (Male)
(Taken 4/16/14)

White-Eyed Vireo
(Taken 3/18/14)

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Fort De Soto Park - Florida's "Birdiest" Location

         Fort De Soto County Park in Saint Petersburg (Pinellas County) is a birder's paradise.  It is the #1 birding hotspot in Florida with 328 recorded species, it ranks #22 in the United States.  In the spring, migratory birds can easily fly non-stop from Mexico, across the Gulf of Mexico, reaching the southern Gulf states.  However, when strong storms occur over the Gulf, birds are tossed around by high winds and pelted with heavy rains.  Seeking shelter, they arrive in huge numbers all over this 1136-acre park.  This phenomenon is known as a "fallout".  While at the park the birds will get the rest and food they need before continuing north.  If conditions are unfavorable for flight, they will hang around the park for days.  There have been four separate fallout events during the 2014 spring migration season.  With a few weeks still remaining, birders are hoping for more.

        Fort De Soto has become one of our favorite destinations.  We have scored over 130 species there.  The diversity of habitats and birds is amazing.  Miles of beaches are great for shorebirds, pelicans and gulls.  The tidal areas and shallow lagoons are great for waders.  Acres of wooded areas are great for songbirds and raptors.  The park is a perfect location for many other activities such as a day at the beach, biking, fishing, kayaking, sailboarding, picnicking, sightseeing and camping.  Triathlons (swimming, biking, and running) are held there regularly.   Read about the park and its history by clicking here ----->   http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm  

        Enjoy some of our favorite photos from around Fort De Soto Park and stay tuned for migration photos.....tweet.....tweet!!

Mortar from inside old Fort De Soto.

Getting ready for sailboarding on the East Beach.

Great Horned Owl and chick on the nest,
North Beach picnic area.

Reddish Egret in breeding plumage at the East Beach Turnaround.

A Long-Billed Curlew at the North Beach tidal pool.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge
(Looking east from the East Beach)

View from atop the Fort, looking north.

Ferry Boat docked at the Bay Pier.
Egmont Key and Shell Key are nearby barrier
 islands accessible only by boat.

Mangrove Cuckoo - Life Bird #228

        There is an old saying that "it's better to be lucky than good."  We believe that it's better to be blessed than not.  Acting on a report, we traveled to Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto on Saturday April 12th, in search of the Mangrove Cuckoo.  We arrived, got our cameras and binoculars ready, then headed for the trails.  Seconds later, we met a man from Virginia, who was just leaving after birding for three hours.  The man asked, "are you looking for the Cuckoo?"  When we told him that we were he said, "follow me."  We walked less than 100 yards to the spot where he had been looking at the bird.  The poor guy had only gotten a quick glimpse or two and a couple of poor photos for his efforts.  He then played a sound recording of the Cuckoo on his cell phone, the bird responded vocally.  It was so exciting for us to hear the bird calling while we stood there surrounded by mangroves.  He played the recording several more times and within minutes the Cuckoo appeared right in front of us.  Had we arrived five minutes later than we did, we would have missed the man entirely, and possibly the bird.  We didn't get lucky, we were blessed.  We spent the next 45 minutes observing the bird from "point blank" range, getting incredible close-up looks and hundreds of great photos and videos. 

        So, today's featured feathered friend is the Mangrove Cuckoo.  A year-round resident of southern Florida coast lines.  They can also be found in the coastal areas of Mexico, the Caribbean and northern South America.  This species is commonly found in mangrove swamps and hammocks, hence the name.

        Mangrove Cuckoos are long, slender birds with long, narrow tails.  They are grayish-brown above with a dark mask surrounding the eye and a yellowish eye-ring.  They are white below with a Cinnamon wash to the under parts.  The bill is long, heavy and down-curved, black on top (upper mandible) and yellow on the bottom (lower mandible) with a dark tip.  The under side of the tail is black with bold white tips.  Males and females are similar in appearance.  They are around 12 inches long, weigh nearly three ounces and have a 16-inch wingspan.  Juveniles are similar to adults, but lack the dark mask.
        We would like to thank the Virginia Gentleman for being our guide on a very warm and humid afternoon.  If not for your help, we might have "dipped" in the Mangroves.
        Enjoy these photos of the Mangrove Cuckoo, our 228th life bird.....tweet.....tweet!!

     
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mangrove_Cuckoo/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove_Cuckoo