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)