Short-tailed Hawk - October, Central Florida (1 Viewer)

[mustap]

Would appreciate some advice on seaching out short-tailed Hawk in October. I will be based in Orlando, and was hoping to avoid the drive to the everglades NP. I understand short-tailed hawks are somewhat reliable by the visitor center there starting in October (or once were).

Can anyone recommend a spot less than 5 hours drive? Weedon Island Preserve?

 

[csanchez7]

In early autumn, Short-tailed Hawks migrate back to the southern tip of the peninsula and stay there through April. Some birds linger throughout the year and never leave the area. You might get a lingering bird, but I don't think they would be reliable anywhere in central Florida at that point.

Short-tailed Hawk is indeed reliable at Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park, particularly around 9-10AM when both vulture species take off and form an enormous kettle. There are usually a couple birds circling in there with them.

Carlos

 

[mustap]

Thank you very much Carlos.

 

[Pauhana]

If you come to st Petersburg your best location to try is Sawgrass Lake park. Oct may be a bit late for them. Only show 1 sighting on ebird in last ten years in oct. There is a dark morph there currently as I have photograhed it twice in past 10 days