Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron

        Today's featured feathered friend is the Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron.  These wading birds stalk their prey along the water's edge, mainly at night, hence their name.  They can be found along coastlines in Central and South America.  In the summer they breed in the swamps of the southern United States.  After their breeding season is completed, they expand their range to Texas in the west, to near the Great Lakes in the north and to southern New England in the east.

        Yellow-Crowned Night-Herons are medium-sized stocky herons with short, deep-based bills, red eyes and yellow legs.  Males and females are similar in appearance with light gray underparts, darker gray backs and wings with pale gray margins.  Their black heads are "egg-shaped" with a yellow crown stripe and white cheek stripes.  During breeding season they grow long white plumes on their hind crowns.  Immature birds are brownish-gray with whitish streaks on the face, neck and breast, with spotting on the back and wings.  The average Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron is 24 inches long, weighs about 22 ounces and has a wingspan of nearly four feet.

        This species is perhaps the most "secretive" of the Heron family.  Although they are year-round Florida residents we don't see them often.  When we do spot them, they tend to be very still, making them pretty easy to photograph.  Enjoy our favorite photos of the Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron.....tweet.....tweet!!

Close-up face shot.
(Taken 11/18/12, Blind Pass Beach Park

on Manasota Key, near Englewood FL)

Adult Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron
(Taken 11/18/12, Blind Pass Beach Park
on Manasota Key, near Englewood FL)

Adult Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
(Taken 11/14/12, Blackburn Point, near Osprey FL)

Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron
(Taken 4/24/12, J. N. Ding Darling National
Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island FL)

Adult with breeding plumes visible.
(Taken 4/29/14, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL)

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)

Photo Book

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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.