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)