Morning started with unfavorable conditions. The drizzle was a portent of more to come, but this did not deter the group of eager birders. None stopped and hied to their cars.  The conditions were not the greatest, but the birds were hungry. Although the weather report was  for no precipitation, the drizzle continued. Northern Parulas, Yellow-rumped warblers were out in force.  Pileated Woodpeckers were many as were Red-bellied.  Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Downeys, White-eyed Vireos were calling and gave us some good views.  Cedar Waxwings gave us aerial displays.
The drizzle dissipated and out came the sun. We then went on to the campground where there was a slight glitch with the gate code, but with a few calls all was resolved.  The Bald Eagle was there to "greet" us from his customary perch in the highest tree. I heard the call of a Great Crested Flycatcher once, but not again and was hesitant to record it.  But as we returned home after lunch and as we were unloading the car, I again heard it's call. For the day a good number of 43 species were seen or heard of which the eBird link can be seen here.

Fred Hileman
President
CCAS

Weather was a lot warmer this year than last.  No wind, overcast, but warm. We were able to get the tram for some who chose to ride.  It is quite a trek otherwise as three of us could agree.  We had the normal run of species, but they are always exciting.  King Rail was heard calling, over 100 Wood Storks were in a roosting phase.  Also a Merlin  and 15 plus Purple Gallinules gave us walkers photo ops.   I have never seen this many Purple Gallinules in one area before. We tallied 52 species of which this eBird link will give you the list.

Wednesday morning on the Causeway at Merritt Island suggested strongly that we were in for a rainy day. We birded the Causeway, but the wind was starting to kick up so we decided to travel farther along the causeway.  Not too many surprise results on this leg, but for the 200 plus American White Pelicans.  Ducks were absent for the most part.  We watched the Black Skimmers zipping along the water to catch their lunch.We decided to break for lunch before Black Point and at this point the deluge came. We still drove Black Point in the rain.  This drive was a disappointment.  The left side of the drive was almost completely void of water and had dried to a hard cracked earth.The rains continued out to the Canaveral Shores where we did get to spot the Northern Gannets feeding as they dove into the water to retrieve a fish.  By this time, our group of 12 had dwindled down to 5.  We packed it in and retired to our motel.  But with the poor conditions of the day, we still had 70 species.  The list for this day can be viewed at this eBird link. The total species for both days amounted to 89.  Not bad.
Top photo courtesy of Tom Gulley.  Bird photos by Fred Hileman.

Fred Hileman 
President
​CCAS

For the tally of 62 species, click this eBird link.  We then went to one of our favorite restaurants for a much needed energy boost.

Another beautiful day in the hood! This event was lead by Jim Meyer and Eileen Riccio  Super morning to be out and have the pleasant company of 31 avid birders. New birders came out to walk with ones who have traveled the beaten bird paths before. Jim & Eileen changed their route a bit to encompass the marsh area that now can be visited. It had been closed for some time.  Other improvements can be seen along the lake where a burn was made to manage the tall grasses that obscured certain parts of the lake edge.  We heard or saw the Red-bellied, Downy, Pileated Woodpeckers and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. 

American Coots, Common Gallinules, Cormorants, Anhingas, Great Blue, Little Blue and Tricolor Herons, Great Egret, Kinglets,Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were some of the species. The entire group got good views of the Barred Owls in the park. The tally for the morning was a whopping 43 species. The eBird link for the species can be seen here.

A very hungry bunch grudgingly left the park for a much needed lunch break.  

Photos courtesy of Thomas Gulley