The first activity I observed was a pair of nesting Red-shouldered Hawks in the tree near the pavilion who were feeding young. My first feeling was that this was going to be a good bird day.


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WOW!! Where to start??? I guess the beginning. Why, yes that's a great place to start. The first activity I observed was a pair of nesting Red-shouldered Hawks in the tree near the pavilion who were feeding young. My first feeling was that this was going to be a good bird day. ![]() The best bird of the day was yet to come. We crossed over the bridge and back to the road. Eileen Riccio spotted a Waterthrush in a tangle of brush overhanging the water. Many of the group got great shots and the throat with no markings gave the determination that it was a Northern Waterthrush. (It was later reported by Jim Meyer that he rewarded Eileen with a sip of his Rum & Coke for her sharp eye.) Nancy Kost and Betsy Frank joined us and reported an Ovenbird that they heard plainly as it called out its signature, "Teacher, Teacher, Teacher." ![]() Northern Waterthrush. It was time to go eat a delicious and plentiful lunch that was provided by CCAS and members present. Thanks to Libby who did the organizing. There was still one more surprise to end this fantastic day. Leave it to Effie Smith who had observed a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher flying into a tall oak branch. The BGGN was building its nest. Photos supplied by Bob Ross, Ken Spilios, Jim Meyer, and Effie Smith.
![]() There were 8 Citrus County Audubon members that showed up for the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve field trip and we were not disappointed. After birding the area around the Nature Center and finding Marsh Wrens, Clapper Rails and a Hummingbird which was most likely a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, we headed out to the tower. (David Chapman took this photo) Once up on the tower we scanned the horizon and spotted a Bald Eagle. Being above the tree tops offered us a great view of the salt marsh where we spotted - you guessed it – a Spotted Sandpiper, one of 6 seen that day. In the tree tops below us, we saw a gorgeous Palm Warbler in full breeding plumage. Behind us at quite a distance, I saw two birds. After we discussed all the possibilities, a photo confirmed one to be an Eastern Kingbird and the other a Belted Kingfisher. Both just ten feet apart in the same snag. The EAKI was the first of the season for me and one of our best birds for the day. Someone then asked me, “what hawk has a yellow belly?” Since it was April 1, I figured that this was a joke. Upon looking in that direction I did see “a hawk with a yellow belly”. Turns out it was a Red-shouldered Hawk with a very yellow bird in its talons; after considering all the possibilities, I think it was a male Goldfinch in breeding plumage.
There were not many warbles to be found but we still managed to see 47 species when we added birds that we saw at the Yankeetown boat ramp. |
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