Pitvar
Well-known member
Just a few highlights of some of the key species from the last fortnight in case anyone's out in Florida soon [I will try and get a proper trip report done sometime...]:
Bald Eagle - one seen over the lake at Magic Kingdom, pair on road to Boggy Creek airboats - one roosting on telegraph pole. Singles also at Orlando International airport, Lake Woodruff and Orlando Wetlands [ace reserve].
Swallow Tail Kite - at least six seen - over wet woodlands - Gatorland, Champions Gate junction, Disney approach road and three near the Osceola Schools preserve near Fish Lake
Osprey, Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture, Sandhill Crane, Northern Cardinals - daily almost hourly - all areas
Crested Caracara - single , Western Meadowlark [most surprising bird of the trip due to its size - three singing and feeding]- off road to Boggy Creek Airboats - under trees 08:30 [before the airboat traffic picked up]
Pileated Woodpecker - singles - Boggy Creek again and in Merritt Island reserve
Warblers - not yet identified but good mixed feeding flock at Gatorland from the board walk [and at least two species of snake plus skinks - working to confirm but Rat Snake and Cotton mouth I think]. Plus all the expected Egrets, Herons and Night Heron, Wood Stork,
Reddish Egret, Brown Pelican, Belted Kingfisher, Black Necked Stilt, Roseate Spoonbill, Florida Scrub Jay - Merritt Island - and perhaps the best wildlife experience - over 40 Manatee at the boat launch ramp at Haulover Canal -opposite side of the road from the Manatee viewing platform.
Limpkin and Purple Gallinule, Least Bittern, Green Heron, Blue Winged Teal, Glossy Ibis, Red Shouldered Hawk, Common Ground Dove, Red Winged Blackbird plus turtles, alligators of all sizes and two snake species - all at Orlando Wetlands
Many other species seen and photographed - with some IDs still to work on [warblers, sparrow species and terns].
Bald Eagle - one seen over the lake at Magic Kingdom, pair on road to Boggy Creek airboats - one roosting on telegraph pole. Singles also at Orlando International airport, Lake Woodruff and Orlando Wetlands [ace reserve].
Swallow Tail Kite - at least six seen - over wet woodlands - Gatorland, Champions Gate junction, Disney approach road and three near the Osceola Schools preserve near Fish Lake
Osprey, Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture, Sandhill Crane, Northern Cardinals - daily almost hourly - all areas
Crested Caracara - single , Western Meadowlark [most surprising bird of the trip due to its size - three singing and feeding]- off road to Boggy Creek Airboats - under trees 08:30 [before the airboat traffic picked up]
Pileated Woodpecker - singles - Boggy Creek again and in Merritt Island reserve
Warblers - not yet identified but good mixed feeding flock at Gatorland from the board walk [and at least two species of snake plus skinks - working to confirm but Rat Snake and Cotton mouth I think]. Plus all the expected Egrets, Herons and Night Heron, Wood Stork,
Reddish Egret, Brown Pelican, Belted Kingfisher, Black Necked Stilt, Roseate Spoonbill, Florida Scrub Jay - Merritt Island - and perhaps the best wildlife experience - over 40 Manatee at the boat launch ramp at Haulover Canal -opposite side of the road from the Manatee viewing platform.
Limpkin and Purple Gallinule, Least Bittern, Green Heron, Blue Winged Teal, Glossy Ibis, Red Shouldered Hawk, Common Ground Dove, Red Winged Blackbird plus turtles, alligators of all sizes and two snake species - all at Orlando Wetlands
Many other species seen and photographed - with some IDs still to work on [warblers, sparrow species and terns].
