[MLoyko]

Hey all,

We're leaving later on today for Florida (actually a Disney trip so not specifically birding but you know I'll get it done) around 11:40 am. This is the first time I will be going to Florida since becoming interested in birding so I am excited. I got a lot of advice on where to look in the parks and around the parks and possible species that I could see from you guys and I'm grateful for that. I will post what goes on later on in the day but just wanted to start the thread in case I would forget (packing away the computer to take along.

Sincerely,
Matt

[apbarr]

Have a great trip, looking forward to your report
AlexB

[veagle]

I'm guessing more than a few new lifers! Have a great time.

Veagle

[MLoyko]

Ok here is the report from the end of day one!

Our plane was supposed to arrive in Florida at around 2pm. We were actually early by a half hour so that was cool. Taxiing into the gate I keep a n eye out the window and saw an egret fly away, couldn't ID him :(. We got our bags and met up with our driver and that is when the fun began. First road we got to I saw a raptor in a tree that looked new to me (you guessed it, couldn't ID him) that also happened many times on the road up. Various raptors/gulls/egrets I couldn't ID because our driver had tinted windows and was a speed demon. The first birds I was able to ID were two Sandhill Cranes walking the side of the road, new lifers for me! I also saw about four cormorants in ponds and flying by along with the usual hordes of Turkey Vultures. My favorite sighting was of a lone Osprey in a tree (I did see a bunch of huge nests but there werent any birds in them). At the campground I got possible Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers but still waiting ID confirmation on the ID forums, Mourning dove, Cardinal, Blue Jay, and Yellow-bellied sapsucker.

Later on we met up with a friend for dinner and headed to the parks. THere we saw Black-ducks, Mallards, Great Blue Heron, and Egrets/Cormorants roosting for the night.

Non-bird sightings so far is Armadillos and a Flying squirrel near Epcot. (attached photo of Armadilllo)

That was only half a day, I have until Wednesday, this is going to be cool.
I'm going outside to listen for owls so I'll post again at the end of the day tomorrow!

Later,
Matt

[lmans66]

Keep it going...where abouts in Florida are you?

[MLoyko]

Ok guys, part way List of what was seen.

White Ibis
Common Moorhen
Red Shouldered Hawk
Northern Pintail duck
Anhinga
Great Egret all lifers.

I also saw Mallards, Grackles (I think common), more butter butts, YBsapsucker, Turkey/Black Vultures and LIttle Blue Heron all in Animal Kingdom (except for the RSH)

That's it for now, I'll post more later after the second part of the day.

[MLoyko]

End of day three report. I saw a lot of the regulars and non-lifers: mallards, cormorants, Osprey, RBG's, Egrets, Cardinals, catbirds, etc....

THe new lifers for today were Barred Owl (its about freakin time) I was walking a nature trail alone in the darkening Florida woods and I heard it call! My reaction was "Holy sh*t!" so I walked to find and found both of them.

Other two lifers were Boat-tailed grackle and Pied-billed Grebe!

Two more days to go!!

[csanchez7]

Just so you can tick one more bird, your "Black-ducks" were more than likely Mottled Ducks, a specialty bird of Florida and quite common. It really is our only resident, native dabbling duck. American Black Duck is a very rare winter visitor to the state.

Carlos

[MLoyko]

Originally Posted by csanchez7

Just so you can tick one more bird, your "Black-ducks" were more than likely Mottled Ducks, a specialty bird of Florida and quite common. It really is our only resident, native dabbling duck. American Black Duck is a very rare winter visitor to the state.

Carlos

Thanks for the heads up, I actually think they may have just been mallards but I will take closer looks now that I know.

[csanchez7]

Remember that about 99% of the Mallards in Florida are feral barnyard birds. Genuine wild Mallards are also a very rare visitor to the state -- I only recently was able to find a pair! They are much more beautiful than the feral Mallards that live in the lake in my neighborhood.

Carlos

[MLoyko]

Originally Posted by csanchez7

Remember that about 99% of the Mallards in Florida are feral barnyard birds. Genuine wild Mallards are also a very rare visitor to the state -- I only recently was able to find a pair! They are much more beautiful than the feral Mallards that live in the lake in my neighborhood.

Carlos

I did not know that either! Thanks.

[J. Moore]

Originally Posted by MLoyko

Thanks for the heads up, I actually think they may have just been mallards but I will take closer looks now that I know.

Hi Matt,

Mottled Ducks resemble female mallards quite closely. I would recommend getting photos if you can.

Best,
Jim

[MLoyko]

Originally Posted by J. Moore

Hi Matt,

Mottled Ducks resemble female mallards quite closely. I would recommend getting photos if you can.

Best,
Jim

Thanks Jim! They also won't have white outlining the speculum?

BTW as an update, I just came back from a couple hours of birding while my mom and my brothers went swimming. As usual, the egrets, cormorants, and gulls.

More exciting was an adult Bald Eagle soaring over head. Also three new lifers Limpkin, Northern Parula, and Blue-headed Vireo. Lastly I had the pleasure of watching a Little Blue Heron picking minnows out of the lake and a RSH catching a snake...the Limpkin then harassed the RSH!

Awesome day.

EDIT: added American Coots on the way to dinner

[MLoyko]

Ok guys...the final report!:'(

Today saw much of the usual's as previously posted. All trip I followed the pattern of 3+ lifers per day and today was no different. Two of them today I caught by mistake. First was a wood stork I just happened to look back and see on the island we were passing on our boat. I also got a Tern I have yet to ID and some Thrashers I didn't get ID'd yet either so I will add them as positively ID'd when applicable but here is the total trip list with the lifers being bold.

Sandhill Crane
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mourning Dove
Blue Jay
Northern Cardinal
Red-bellied woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Mallard
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Limpkin
Red-shouldered hawk
Little Blue Heron
Green Heron
White Ibis
Wood Stork
Double-crested cormorant
Ring-billed gull
Barred Owl
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Pintail
American Coot
Common Moorhen
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Pied-billed Grebe
Bald Eagle
Northern Parula
Blue-headed Vireo
Anhinga

Also a couple others.... I will add them when I get them in memory

[mcapper]

Sounds like you have had a fantastic trip! Some good birds in there

Matthew

[MLoyko]

Originally Posted by mcapper

Sounds like you have had a fantastic trip! Some good birds in there

Matthew

Thanks it really was and I found it hard keeping up with the influx of birds . BTW, at first after reading your post I thought you said Matthew as in addressing me but I see that it is your name too

-Matt