RFI: Birding Florida June 21-28 (1 Viewer)

Hello all,

I'll be in Florida in late June, basically for a family reunion sort of deal (which I'm dreading), but I'm going to sneak away every chance I get for some birding and herping. I'll be working out of Tampa, where the family has rented a home for the week. I'm trying to find sites near Tampa (within two hours), but I'm hoping to make it further south as well (Ding Darling, maybe the Everglades).

I haven't been to Florida since I was 13 (back in 1994), and although I was very much interested in birds I didn't have binoculars and actual field birding was minimal. So in essence, it really is my first birding trip to Florida.

I have a list of 32 birds I came up with that I feel are possible (I'm not including extra hard birds like Masked Duck or localized exotics in the Miami area such as Spot-breasted Oriole. I'm keeping this first trip simple!

Naturally, I have several questions:

--Any nice area to find and get close to (for photography's sake) waders? I'd love to see the following lifers (along with your other cool species I've already seen): Reddish Egret, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Limpkin, and Wood Stork?

-- Any reliable areas in the area for Purple Gallinule? I guess you hear lots of requests for this one...but they're sooooo pretty!

--How's the shorebirding situation? Would Honeymoon Island be good for American Oystercatchers, Wilson's and Snowy Plovers, and Willets? Is it likely to see lazy shorebirds that never migrated out of the area, such as Western Sandpipers, Red Knots, or Piping Plovers?

--Do Gray Kingbirds and Black-whiskered Vireos occur commonly this far north? Or am I better off trying Sanibel Is. for those two plus Mangrove Cuckoo?

--What's a good recommendation for central FL birding...for Florida Scrub Jays, Burrowing Owls, Crested Caracara, Bachman's Sparrow, etc?

Anything else you wanna throw in, I'm all ears.

I have Pranty's newest ed. of his ABA birdfinding guide, and I just ordered Brian Rapoza's newer guide.

Thanks!

I had YC Night-Heron, Wood Stork and Willet in Fort DeSoto park during late March. For Burrowing Owl and Bachman's Sparrow try Kissimmee Prairie State Park where there are also Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Joe Overstreet Road gave me great views of several species including Caracara.

Thanks! I just read the section on Joe Overstreet Rd. and it sounds like a must-see locale! I was planning on spending some time in that central part of the state in the Kissimmee Lakes region. Lots of cool stuff.

Again, thanks for the reply!

If you have the Pranty, you're 90% there.

Forget Ding Darling (nothing there you can't see elsewhere easier and traffic-clogged with general tourists) and, realistically, forget the everglades too.

Quick hits - midsummer isn't the best time; birding is at its slowest and it will be VERY hot/humid. However :
- Fort de Soto on the gulf edge of Tampa Bay is the best location in Florida - go and go again
- Joe Overstreet is great
- Circle B-Bar in Polk County, range of habitats and quiet; some great birds there
- Merritt Island
- Three Lakes region
- Gray Kingbird, Honeymoon Island , around the picnic area is a gimme
- Reddish Egret - move around, but de Soto is pretty regular, and I've seen 50 spread all over Merritt in late summer
- YCN Heron - Gulf coast mangroves (inc de Soto) good bet, easy to photograph, too
- Limpkin - the very easiest place is around the public park at the very north end of Lake Toho in Kissimmee and its small extension at Brinson Park; very approachable
- Wood Stork are quite widespread, including several locations like northern Lake Toho where they will eat fishermen's scraps
- Gallinule is local, but try around the very accessible public lakes in Polk, like Arianna, Arietta, Howard, etc
- Red-Headed Woodpecker - a cert in the dead trees at the parking lot at Lake Lizzie, early
- BW Vireo - you may have to head a fair way south ;
- Mangrove Cucko - not found any further north (and scarce) than, I think, Weedon Island preserve in St Petes. Hard.
- haven't been to Honeymoon in late June, but generally the causeway and southern beach/shore is much quieter summer than in winter; still some stuff there but deserted by comparison; at any time, Oyc is hit-and-miss there, Pipings are scarce and I always miss Snowys (other say they're guaranteed!)
- Scrub-Jay : Pranty will guide you, easiest places are Merritt (east, where it meets Playalinda Beach) and that bit of the ?name forest? Arbuckle tract (where you should also get Short-Tailed Hawk after mid-morning in summer, although that's in the northern section (again, Pranty directions are 100% in my experience)
- as my countryman AP notes above, KPSP gets you B.Owls and Bachman's but it's a long way down; White-Tailed Kites and Florida G'hopper Sparrows also breed there, but you might need to get there early and that's not easy.
- Caracaras widely found in central prairie/farm locations, although not numerous, and Viera Wetlands on the Atlantic coast usually has a fairly accessible breeding pair (not that you'd approach near the nest, obviously, but it means they are visible in flight around the wetlands a lot); Viera is generally good for approachable waterbirds - incl. (I think) both Bitterns
-check all locations in the Lake Kissimmee chain from Kissimmee town park down to Kenansville for Snail Kite; they move around following water levels.

Having said all that, Pranty will tell you chapter and verse.

Lockbreeze926,

I'm printing your post and stuffing it in my Pranty as a quick guide. Thanks so much!

If you can go any further south, I recommend Green Cay Wetlands and Wakodahatchee Wetlands. I have never been disappointed with birding at these sites, and you are sure to see Limpkins and Purple Gallinules at these sites. Also, Mottled Duck, Glossy Ibis, Black-bellied Whistling-ducks are very reliable at these sites along with all the usual herons/egrets, Anhinga, Cormorants, Black-necked Stilts, and sometimes Least Bittern at this time of year. Wakodahatchee has a nice rookery full of Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and Cattle Egret nests.

Forget the Everglades.

For shorebirds, I am very fond of the north end of Tigertail Beach on Marco Island. Bring sunglasses, a hat, and lots of sun block. Beautiful beach. Cross the channel that separates the beach from the rest of the island. Reddish Egret here is almost a guarantee, along with half a dozen or more different species of shorebird, a breeding colony of Black Skimmers, and a breeding colony of Least Terns. About a week ago, I birded there and got the following shorebirds: Wilson's Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Willet, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover. Western Sandpiper, Snowy Plover, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Red Knot, Dunlin, Sanderling, Marbled Godwit and others are also regular here. Go on a weekday -- it is virtually empty, then.

Carlos

For east coast Central Florida, Viera Wetlands and Merritt Island are the best, IMO, though during the summer it's not as good. In the last month, I've see your Caracara, Wood Stork and Sandhill Crane at Viera along with a nice Loggerhead Shrike and Black Bellied Whistling Ducks.

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/Crested_Caracara.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/Gallinule2.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/greenheron.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/redish.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/sandhill2.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/shrike.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/woody.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/viera_ducks.jpg

Guidenet said:

For east coast Central Florida, Viera Wetlands and Merritt Island are the best, IMO, though during the summer it's not as good. In the last month, I've see your Caracara, Wood Stork and Sandhill Crane at Viera along with a nice Loggerhead Shrike and Black Bellied Whistling Ducks.

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/Crested_Caracara.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/Gallinule2.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/greenheron.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/redish.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/sandhill2.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/shrike.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/woody.jpg

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/viera_ducks.jpg

Click to expand...

Nice shots, although the shrike is an Eastern Kingbird.

oppps.. you're right. I meant this one. I had the fiile names messed up. Thank you.

http://www.guidenet.net/birds/king.jpg

Craig Harding

edit: This is posted from my gal's computer in Miami and accidently used her login

I have just returned from 2 weeks in Flroida with my girlfriend & her parents (all non-birders!!)... It was my 1st time to the states... & I had an awesome time!!!!

I stopped at Mediera Beach (with a visit to Fort Desoto one day)... I clocked up around 47 lifers!!! I had birds like Wood Stork, Anhinga, Yellow-crowned & Black-crowned Night Herons, Reddish Egret, Palm Warbler, Cooper's Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Downy & Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black-hooded & Dusky-headed Parakeet, Little Blue Heron, Magnificent Frigatebirds.... the list goes on!!!

I have no idea which of these were 'notable/good' birds for the area? There is a full write up on my blog (incl. pics!!!) at - http://tsbantics.blogspot.com/

I loved Florida, everything about it & hope to return next year!! Any 'top' places I should visit? Any advice would be great!!
Would love to see Eastern Meadowlark, Florida Scrub Jay, Swallow-tailed Kite, Anil....

Cheers for any help ~ J.

Are you sure you had a Ferruginous Hawk? That is a western bird. It would be a VERY big deal if it is indeed that bird.

As another note, if you see the Long-billed Dowitchers on the beach, they were most likely to be Short-billed Dowitchers instead. Long-billed Dowitchers tend to live inland away from the coast in flooded fields. Short-billed Dowitchers are the more coastal species.

White-rumped Sandpiper is a rare but regular migrant in Florida. Although a little late, I guess it is possible.

Here are some recommendations for next time:

Green Cay/Wakodahatchee: excellent spot, year around, for Mottled Duck, Purple Gallinule, Black-bellied Whistling-duck, White-winged Dove, Limpkin, and Red-winged Blackbird. In late summer, Least Bitterns are conspicuous, Least Terns and Black-necked Stilts are breeding, Purple Martins as well are abundant. In the winter, Pied-billed Grebe, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, American Bittern, Ring-necked Duck, Sora, Belted Kingfisher, and more are regulars. In the winter, it is a good idea to hop over to Okeheelee Nature Center to see the Painted Buntings, Indigo Buntings, and Brown Thrashers that visit the feeders. Wood Duck and Sandhill Crane are also found here.

Big Cypress National Preserve: a visit here in the spring can be very rewarding for Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Parula, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Barred Owl, and Swallow-tailed Kite.

Government Road: a drive down Government Road toward Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the morning usually produces many Crested Caracara, Sandhill Cranes, Mottled Ducks, Wild Turkeys, Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Belted Kingfishers, Red-shouldered Hawks, Eastern Meadowlarks, and more.

Marco Island (Tigertail Beach): from early autumn to late spring, this place is amazing for shorebirds. Expect Piping Plovers, Semipalmated Plovers, Wilson's Plover, Sanderling, Willet, Reddish Egret, Marbled Godwit, Osprey, and Short-billed Dowitchers. Though not guaranteed, American Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Lesser Yellowlegs, Snowy Plover, Roseate Spoonbill, and Sandwich Terns are regulars. In the summer, there are massive breeding colonies of Black Skimmer and Least Tern right on the beach.

Carlos

Hi there ~ thank you for you informative reply!!

Obviously this was my 1st time to Florida, so my ID skills were very rusty & everything there was new to me...
Did you read my description of the hawk sp.? I could find no other hawk sp.that fitted what I saw quite as well?... I'm open to any idea's as to what you think it may have been?...
It wasn't a Red-tailed, as I had seen a few of these by then & the wing pattern was different & the bird seemed larger?... Of course, I may be totally wrong!!
Thanks for the Dowitcher info ~ I shall alter my blog list!!!

I want to come back to Florida next year, so would love any help/advice you could give me please...
Again ~ thank you for you assistance.
Hope I hear from you again ~J.

According to your description, I don't see why it could not be a light morph Short-tailed Hawk, a much more typical bird for Florida. Be careful with judging size when birds are soaring overhead, especially for identification.

I have more nitpicks for your list. American Golden-plover is a VERY good bird for Florida. In fact, only a few are reported each year and nearly all of them from sod farms in the interior. Yet, you do not list ever seeing Black-bellied Plover, which is very common in both coastal and freshwater habitats.

Purple Martin -- in October? No way. Last Purple Martins left Florida by late August. They are one of the first summer breeders to leave the state. Yet you do not list Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, or even Cliff Swallows which would be much more likely this time of year.

I'm surprised you saw White-rumped Sandpiper, but did not see Western or Semipalmated Sandpipers which outnumber the White-rumpeds at least 100 to 1.

I don't know which area of the state you will be visiting, but I can give a lot of pointers for Lake Okeechobee south -- which has all the same birds in central Florida such as Crested Caracaras, Swallow-tailed Kites, Wild Turkeys, etc with some Caribbean influence such as Black-whiskered Vireo, Gray Kingbird, and White-crowned Pigeon. Autumn/winter/spring are the best times to visit.

Carlos

Hi again ~ yeah, I did see Black-bellied Plover (our Grey), I didn't list birds on my page that are either common or seen regularly over here, just birds which are of note to UK birders...
I have a picture of the American Golden Plover on my blog! Did you see it? No question in my mind of it's ID, in fact there were 2 of them on the beach that day...
I wasn't sure of the hirrundines I saw except the Barn Swallow's & the Rough-winged Swallows (which I saw really well at Fort Desoto).... I shall remove PM, again, this was down to my lack of knowledge in your state...

Thanks again for your advice & assisstance, very much appreciated!!

jada dulo said:

...
I have a picture of the American Golden Plover on my blog! ...

Click to expand...

I presume that the picture in question is the one here
[ http://tsbantics.blogspot.com/2008/10/florida-pt4.html ] .
I am a bit puzzled why you think this is an American Golden Plover in summer plumage. The bird is still mostly in summer (alternate) plumage but it is a Black-bellied Plover (P. squatarola) as can be seen by the fact that, as your photo shows, it has a white ventral area (from the lower belly to the undertail coverts) with the black starting at the belly and (not visible in your photo) going up over the chest and throat. In an American Golden Plover in alternate plumage the ventral area would be all black.

Dalcio