Just 7 of us turned out this morning for a beautiful stroll around the boardwalk and some of the trials.  But we got birds! Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Mottled and Blue-winged Teal were in abundance. American Bittern, Northern Harrier, Wilson's Snipes, Sora's, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs,Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, House & Marsh Wrens, were just some of the birds we got good looks at.  Did I say we had birds, well yes I believe I did.  We had 56 species for the 2 1/2 hours we walked  the area.  Not bad for a superb day outside. The enitre list can be seen at this eBird link. Photos courtesy of Thomas Gulley & Fred Hileman

Another beautiful day in one of the most beautiful places in Florida.  Rainbow Springs State Park.  You could not ask for a more perfect day than this day.  Sixteen birders came out to walk the trails and just to be out in the warm morning air. Eastern Phoebes were in abundance.  Robins, Pileated Woodpeckers greeted us at the parking lot along with Titmice, Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, Ruby-crowned Kinglets  But much to our dismay, the Red-shouldered Hawks seemed to dog us all over the lower portions of the walk.  One screamed at us from the entry gate and continued all around the swimming area, kayak launch.  Another answered back.  Our move over the the boardwalk did not go unnoticed by this one in the photo.  He landed just above our heads and proclaimed loudly.  This didn't lend an opportunity to see too many canopy birds.  There weren't too many warblers about as one might think from the recent front.  We traipsed to the back field past the Butterfly Garden and circled back by the Glass bottomed boats that most had never seen. But on the way out I spotted a Black-and-White Warbler where there was a great number of active canopy birds.  The entire list of 31 species can be seen at this eBird link. For  those who have not seen a Black-and White Warbler, this one came into my backyard Dripper last evening.

Another beautiful day in the great outdoors.  Morning chillness in the air gave way to a bright sunny and warm day.  We were a group of twenty-four birders, some new, some that have been around for awhile, but all willing to learn more about our surroundings. Anhingas, Herons, Coots, Kingfisher, Crows gave us some good views on the pond front.Walking along the waters edge, we got views of Sedge, House, Marsh & Carolina Wrens, Yellow-throated Warblers.  Back near the fort, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. On to the trail back White-eyed, Blue-headed Vireos. It was a very exciting morning with 37 species and a super bunch of birders.  The entire list of species can be seen at this eBird Link. Photos courtesy, Fred Hileman and Thomas Gulley.

Nov The Friends of Crystal River Refuge's fundraiser boat tour on Saturday Nov 12 resulted in  9 expert members of Citrus County Audubon hosting 7 boats of 55 participants .The weather was beautiful and cool but not cold and the morning sunrise included pink and gold burnished, high clouds.  Everyone was excited and eager to get out on the bay to spot the birds that were very plentiful.  There were  49 species plus 3 taxa species for the count.The entire list can be seen at this eBird link. The photos are courtesy of Sandra Marraffino and Jim Meyer.

Twenty Four eager birders came out this morning to Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve, ready to tackle the foggy morning and just enjoy being out in the great outdoors.  We checked out the area around the Education Center and out into the marsh at the back of the center.  Here we had 2 Clapper Rails calling back and forth and finally got to see one dart out of the marsh only to duck down very quickly close by. Off in a very low tidal basin two Hooded Mergansers gave us a quick view before disappearing around a bend. We then went back by the tower and birded the area near the ramp.  A Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk and juvenile Bald Eagle were three nice additions.  Coming back to the parking lot, a few of us got some good views and answering calls from as many as 5 Saltmarsh Sparrows.. We headed out of the Preserve and then on to the Gulf where we added 7 more species to our 39 from the Preserve.  The thrill of the Gulf was hundreds of American White Pelicans that gave us a fly over. Awesome! The two complete lists can be seen at Withlacoochee link and this Gulf link. The Blue-headed Vireo pictured here is one I took in my backyard yesterday (Sunday 13)

Sandra Marraffino led the walk for me on Saturday 28.  There were several early arrival species recorded.  Two of these being about 30 American Robins and 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers.  The complete list can be seen at this eBird link Effie Smith sent me this photo of a Robin that she took in her yard on the 28 of October.  I had one in my backyard on the 27th.  According to eBird, they are rare for this time of the year.