Recap-Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve

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.




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​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.

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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.