From my Florida Jackpot post, I wanted to share the story about the North Cape Corl area where we saw the Florida-Scrub Jay. It was on NW 25th Terrace, north of Kismet Pkwy.
When we pulled into the area, the houses went away, and just the
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| Life Bird spot |
After 2 hours and 2 life birds, we decided to drive over to Sanibel Isand. On the causeway on the way over, JK reported a Frigate Bird that he saw two day earlier. Sure enough, I got to see the Frigate soaring on the north side. I even pulled over on the island spot and got the binoculars on him. My records show that I saw the Frigate as a life bird in June 1990 while on that great run toward #500ABA with my grandparents. I'll have to add a seperate post on that trip in the future.The stories, the birds.
The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on the
subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge
is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United
States. It is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird population. There is a 4 mile stretch that you can drive or bike through all day. The fee is $5 a car. $1 per biker or hiker.
We drove the Mazda 2 through, with several stops. Black Simmers, Semi-Palmated Polver, Osprey's fishing over the car. We stopped at Shell Mound Trail and tried for White-Crowned Pigeon, but no pigeons where around. We drove down to Tarpon Bay Rd, and walked out on the beach. There are reports of Snowy Plovers all along the beach from the light house down here too. No luck, there was too many people already enjoying the beach. But the Frigate Bird soared over again!
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| Snowy Plovers? Just Black-Bellied |
Day 2 started out with another 50 minute drive, this time south to Marco Island. This trip was inspired by http://bikingforbirds.blogspot.com/ and Dorian's adventure there earlier in March. While we waited for the gates to open at 8am, we where treated to the hometown population of Burrowing Owls. I did not realize you could see them in south Florida. I had always seen them in south Texas, Azrizon 1985(lifer) and on vacation in Aruba, yes they have Burrowing Owls too.
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| What's up dude? |
Tiger Trail Beach. Wow. The goal here was again Snowy Plover, a lifer, plus Semi-Palm, Piping, Wilson's, Black-Bellied. We did not get a chance to go all the way out. The wind conditions where not good, and we where not prepared to walk through shin high water toward the beach. See the photo. Instead we did the LONG walk around to the right, then left to the red line. We got to the start point, and birded there back into the lagoon area. We picked up several shorebirds with highlights Piping Plover, Marbled Godwit and Western Sandpiper(did not get in 2013).
The good news is, we know the Snowy Plover is there, so next time with good equipment, I should be able to pull a Penta-Plover day.
Day 2 ended with many FOY birds, and only one morning left for #TSB. JK was leaving at 3pm, and really wanted to get a Snail Kite. One had been reported at Harns Marsh, north of the airport. We arrived at sun rise again, and I got many FOYs like Black-Crown Night Heron, SandHill Crane, heard Northern Paula, Carolina&House wren. On our way back toward the car, from the north end. There@! Soaring low over the marsh, a female/immature Snail Kite. It move right past us, showing the hooked bill and white rump on top of the tail. It landed in a tree, and we watch it a longer with bincos until the crows pushed it on.
After we checked out, the party headed east toward Pompano Beach, FL. We had 4 nights at a private bungalow right on the A1A inlet. I planned to do some east coast birding, with possible 3 more new life birds I could get(which I did). That Friday morning, I drove up to Green Cay Wetlands in Palm Beach county.
This place is very famous for birders and walkers.
I headed towards the east, and walking the entire loop just once. Toward the back hammock, I got the Sora, Purple Swamphen(lifer#535) and Yellow-Crown Night Heron. On the way out, stop by the two feeders hanging in the trees before the entrance. A fellow birder pointed them out to me, and I got White-Winged Dove and Painted Bunting, male. Sorry no pic's.
Turns out, there is another fantastic birding place 2.2 miles away that I never new about. Its called
Wakodahatchee Wetlands. The park was created on 50 acres of unused utility land, and transformed into a recreation wetlands open to the public.The three-quarter mile boardwalk that crosses between open water pond areas, emergent marsh areas, shallow shelves, and islands with shrubs and snags to foster nesting and roosting. There where lots of great species here, but most noted is a singe NeoTropic Cormorant. It has been roosting here for three years now. Typically I see this species in south Texas, but this is rare for Florida. They believe the bird was blown over here with a storm, and has just stayed with is Double Crested Cormorant friends, there his framily. Click to
enlarge the picture. Notice the longer tail, white facial marks and smaller bird.
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| NeoTropic(L) DoubleCrested(R) |
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| Fulvous Whistling Ducks |
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| What bird is that? |
So, on the way to the airport to leave on the 31st. I mentioned that Wakadahatchee was on the way north, so maybe we can stop and get the NeoTropic Corm, and maybe another FOY. Luckily we did, and I saw this small, discrete bird. What is it? I only heard them last year in Las Vegas, but it was my last one to compete the Ardeidae family. Well, I saw it this year, and I'm close again.
On the way out, in the parking lot. Swoosh, a American Kestrel lands on a tree branch. A new trip bird, then out of now where . . a Monk Parakeet flies by and lands too?!? Sorry no pics, they flew. So I got 4 new FOYs, and a great picture on that second time around. Note to self--Always try, try again.
In conclusion, Florida was very very good to me . I'd like to thank my wife and friends for a spring break trip I'll never forget. To always having fun and living life.
- 7 nights/8 days
- 860 miles driven
- 6 Life Birds
- 106 total species
- 75 FOYs
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