Our final field trip of the season exploded with birds! We spent several hours on the Whitman Museum grounds. The birds were not readily evident, but with perseverance, viola. They came out of the wood work, so to speak. Black & White's were scurrying up and down the trees.Magnolia, Cape May, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. A Swainson's Thrush and several Great Crested Flycatchers giving us a show all the while proclaiming their territory with their "freeping" (my word) call. The Acadian Flycatcher flitted about in the upper reaches of the oaks. Our next stop was at the cemetary with a one legged Whimbrel spotted in the surrounding waters. The airport was next with Gray Kingbird and Eastern Kingbird. Around the waterfront on the way to lunch, Ruddy Turnstones, Willets, Dunlin, Royal & Forster's Terns,Semi-palmated Plovers. Lunch at Steamers with a flock of Black Skimmers flying by. Back to the mudflats and American Avocets. The Train Trestle gave up a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a Bay-breasted Warbler. To the Shell Mounds, Blackburnian Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Worm-eating Warbler. Did I say we had birds, well yes, yes we had birds.
At one point during the day, a pod of about 30 White Pelicans seemed to be just stationary in the clear blue sky. Winds aloft apparently were blowing against them and they seemed to be enjoying the sensation of just floating in place. The total of species for the day was a whopping 90. Thanks to the 19 who came out to enjoy another beautiful birdy day in Florida. The eBird list is here.
Photos Courtesy of Thomas Gulley
Fred Hileman
President
CCAS
Photos Courtesy of Thomas Gulley
Fred Hileman
President
CCAS
RSS Feed
