Was it a great morning?  Why, yes, it was more than that.  Thirty-one eager birders came out this morning to just greet the day and were rewarded with not only fresh air but some very good birds.  Wood Ducks, Pied-billed Grebes, Double-crested Cormorants, Anhingas, Little Blue & Green Heron, Ibis, Kingfisher, Woodpeckers, including the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,  American Kestrel, Barred Owls calling,, Kinglets, Catbirds, 5 species of Warbler, and  Indigo Buntings were in good numbers.  A Northern Harrier gave us a fly-by.   We continued on to the campground and our Bald Eagle who always seems to be around did not disappoint. The entire list can be seen here on ebird.  American Kestrel, Eastern Bluebird, Prairie Warbler and Red-bellied Woodpecker are pictured.  The Red-bellied Woodpecker was being scolded severely by the Bluebirds and others because he seemed to have taken up residence in the Bluebird hole.        Thank all of you for coming out.

Thank you Julie, Trish, Virginia, Elaine, Eileen and Jim for representing Citrus County Audubon and participating as guides on the Crystal River Boat/Bird Trip from Saturday Oct 24.. Jim sent me the following email:
.  I wanted to let you know that we had a great day on the Crystal River trip.  Julie, Trish,Virginia, Elaine, Eileen, and I acted as Audubon Bird guides. Weather was perfect and the birds were showing themselves.  The trip started with a Roseate Spoonbill and Woodstork standing on a branch just across the water at the dock of the Visitor's Center.
 
We ended up with 45 species, including American and Least. Bittern, Clapper Rail, Sora  Rail,  Yellow-crowned Night Heron, and Spotted Sandpiper. ​

Thirteen came out this morning for a walk on the wild side.  We had sprinkles throughout the morning and finally a bit more than sprinkles drove us out of the preserve. Many Wild Turkeys, 5 warbler species, Kinglets, 3  Wren species, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were everywhere.  The highlight was  hearing a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.  Even with the gray morning we came up with 36 species.  The complete list can be viewed at this ebird link.

10 of us came out for this morning's field trip to Inglis Island. Each time we go there we say, "we should come here more often."  Permission has been freely given us to cross the dam and drive about 5 miles around the island.  Several Indigo Buntings greeted us on our first stop with the appearance of a Scarlet Tanager.  The area was very active. As we then drove down the canopied trail, the Kinglets, Catbirds, Phoebes, and Vireos gave us a show. Warblers were not lacking either.  We had 7 species including the Redstarts, Magnolia and Black-throated Green. Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned, and a Peregrine Falcon made an appearance.  We have seen the Peregrine on other occasions  on the island. The one surprise was a Great Crested Flycatcher that was calling, because they should be gone by now. Our total of 62 species was a winner.  The complete list can be seen at this ebird checklist link.

Twelve of us hit Powers Park "running". Well,  maybe not so fast, but a slow amble.  It was very productive. A total of 50 species can be seen at this ebird link,.We birded the canal with a good list of 38 or so and continued around the left side on Lakeshore where we hit a bonanza of warblers.  Black and White, Tennessee, Bay-breasted, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Palm, Yellow-throated.  Here we also got to see two Baltimore Orioles. I talked with a gentleman who lived across from this area who gave us permission to go out on a very long dock.  He has given us permission in the future to again check this area.  We continued to Palm Point to view the "Vulture tree", but perseverance gave us a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. A break for lunch and off to the Overlook on 441 with no results and then on to Bolens Bluff.  This had many American Redstarts in store for us.  Mosquitoes got the best of Tom and I, but Jim & Eileen had sprayed and continued on.  I hope they make it back!!!!!!!!!! 

Thirteen souls braved our first cool day of fall (69 degrees) and visited this jewel in Marion County.  The work that is being done there is quite remarkable.  New paths have been cleared also a fantastic bird blind has been constructed over looking the small body of water near the front. The blind is so new that there has not been a dedication ceremony. The photo above is of  the floor and is quite handsome.While the birds were not plentiful, the scenery and walk did us good.  There is more water flowing in the creek than we have ever seen.Click this ebird list link for today's count.