FLORIDA IN SPRING 2010

SUBTLE BIRDING IN TOURIST SPOTS

by Peter Welch

Introduction:

I was lucky enough to enjoy a family break to Florida this Easter and whilst me doing any proper birding would have been tricky with two young children to entertain it was possible to combine to tourist haunts with some wildlife. Finding reports on Florida birding before I left the UK was problematic, so I thought I’d write this report to try and help anyone else who finds themselves in Florida but tied to a non birding agenda.

Over the course of twelve days I managed to identify sixty-two species and photograph fifty-six of them. Fifty of the birds seen were lifers for me and I was unable to conclusively identify at least a further fifteen sightings.

Please excuse the less than scientific style of this report but I decided to cover the geographical locations rather than a timeline or genus led approach. All of the birding was done with a notebook, camera and the loan of the excellent Peterson Eastern Birds guidebook but without binoculars or telescope. Identifications were made from the guides and a few were checked with others, more expert in wildlife from the USA.

In almost all areas Grackles, House Sparrows, Black Vultures and Northern Mocking Birds were seen but otherwise for each location I’ve listed the species seen, any specific areas of interest and any other wildlife sightings of note. I’m sure that there are other spots I missed and species I didn’t pick up but the main sightings are as follows.

Champions Gate area

When looking for a villa to stay in my first criteria were finding a good one, with enough room for our extended party but I will admit that when I found VillaMagic near Champions Gate the idea of there being a swamp area immediately behind the Villa did add to its appeal!

Above: Sandhill Crane (top) and Boat-tailed Grackle (bottom)

The list of birds seen from the villa itself included White Ibis, Boat-tailed Grackle, roosting Little Blue Heron (which I didn’t see anywhere else), Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, Anhinga, Cattle Egret, Black and Turkey Vulture (overhead fly over most afternoons down to 20m) and best of all visiting Sandhill Cranes, a single bird and later in the stay, a pair. Quite bizarre and fascinating to watch Sandhill Cranes feeding 3m away from the swimming pool…

Above: Little Blue Heron (top), Northern Mockingbird (middle) and Turkey Vulture (bottom).

Early morning walks within a mile of the villa, and in an area of swamp, orange groves and scrub bordering the Champions Gate golf course off Loughman’s Road gave Sandhill Cranes roosting in the lagoons, Wood Stork, Anhinga, Green Heron, Osprey, Tufted Titmouse, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler and Loggerhead Shrike on the wires.

Above: Brown Thrasher (top) and Loggerhead Shrike (Bottom). 

An area of original swamp a mile or so to the west crossing the I27 and down Deen Still Road was only discovered on the last morning but a very brief visit saw a flock of eight or nine Black Vultures on the road itself and more roosting nearby, several unidentified hawks, Northern Parula Warbler and a Swamp Rabbit in the roadside verge. More time spent in this area would have paid dividends I’m sure.

Above: Tufted Titmouse (top) and Swamp Rabbit (bottom).

PART 2- Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Seaworld and Discovery Cove