Lighthouse for possible migrants

I've been watching the e-bird reports on what has been seen and where, I usually plan my days around those sightings if possible.

The Lighthouse had great reports of an Acadian Flycatcher (would be a lifer for me), a Swainson Thrush and a Tennessee Warbler - so, I studied my bird guide and headed to the Lighthouse this morning with Elaine S.

After watching a Hooded Warbler, we switched attention to this little guy - we had ample views and enough clues to conclude after a while that we were looking at a Blackpoll Warbler - probably an adult female, first year, spring.

Then a very sweet view of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Talk about being lucky to have it in full sight

What a beautiful bird - its feathers look luxuriously soft and the colors/patterns are very crisp - like a young man in a tux.

Our local Palms warblers have left already and we are now seeing the Palms that are traveling through as they head north. It's nice to see those breeding colors and rusty cap.

After spending 3 hours at the Lighthouse patiently and failing to see our target birds, we decided to head out and make a stop at the Snowy Plover sight. Two beautiful eggs have been laid in this spot - just out in the open - soon a third egg will be deposited and the Snowy will actively begin the incubation process.

We wondered how such a little bird could pass such a plump egg!

Notice how the shells have been carefully lined up within the nest cavity.

Not too far away, a pair of Willet were resting side by side by the ocean side - not a bad way to spend the day, hey?

As we made our way out of the beach, we couldn't help but watch with awe this beautiful Bald Eagle - most likely a 3 year old still sporting some brown feathers in its cap. I wondered what it was watching so intently.

I just wanted to close this blog today with a photo from a couple of years ago - a striking Hooded Warbler - just like the one we saw today. I look forward to my next sighting. 

A few more migrants

We've had a cool front come through and our winds shifted to the NW - this indicated a good chance to see a few more of the late migrants. Come and see what I located in my area.

At the Sanibel Lighthouse - an Eastern Kingbird

and a Western Kingbird

An Eastern & a Western Kingbird.

A Palm Warbler - a nice surprise.

A Red-eyed Vireo

A Western Kingbird and

 

a Blackpoll Warbler.

A visit to the Caloosa Shell Mound provided views of the Great Crested Flycatcher,

Scarlet Tanager - female

Scarlet Tanager - male

 I'm just glad that I was able to catch sight of these few - spring migration gives us a short window of viewing opportunities while the migrants are passing through - bad weather usually provides more dropouts. In any event, any day birding makes for a great day.

Winding down

These past couple of weeks have been so exciting and filled with beautiful migrants, that it's hard to get used to the idea that this will end soon and normalcy - as I know it - will resume. I looked in all the 'hot spots' this morning and found the few that have been hanging around lately - as you'll see, and also a mystery bird which turned the morning into a learning opportunity.

The Blackpolls have been 'regulars' by the "Picnic Tables" area, as well as a Tennessee and a Northern Parula.

The Grey Kingbirds and Western Kingbirds were again spotted near the Lighthouse area.

And then, my funny guy. I heard the "caw", so figured that it was a crow but the yellowish throat was puzzling - being new on the birding field, I assumed that it was a juvenile and I made a mental note to check it out when I got home.

A bit later I bumped into Lillian and Don Stokes - so I asked them about the 'juvenile' and showed them my photos.

I saw/heard Lillian and Don in action as they discussed and pointed out the different key points while trying to determine what the bird was - the bill being deformed and the yellow being determined as being pollen. As I put my photos on my computer, I also saw that he has a deformed foot and lots of hair on his legs. The feathers are not being well taken care of because of the condition of the bill - however, it is amazing how this crow with all its limitation is able to carry on. We searched the area to spot the bird and sure enough we found it - and it was hanging around with the other crows. I learned a lot today and felt very lucky to have bumped into Lillian and Don and grateful that they had the time to share their knowledge and expertise.

I

One single Indigo Bunting was spotted by the Picnic Tables too.

A Pileated Woodpecker enjoying the ripe berries by the Lighthouse.

A pair of Crows and their behaviors were being observed, Lillian and Don pointed out that they were a pair because of the way they were sharing food back and forth....not a typical crow behavior.

Well, it might have been quiet but the experience and knowledge that I gathered this morning was truly priceless - thank you Lillian and Don for sharing your time with me. My E-Bird List for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18100152

 

Migration continues to be lovely.

Since I am a relatively new birder on the block - I don't have other preconceived idea as to how much I'm supposed to be seeing and when - either way, I am delighted to learn as I go along the way.

This Blackpoll Warbler is probably one of the fastest guy on the block - I'm just glad that I was able to see it, let alone take a photo or two.

The Indigos are still present - 1.5 weeks and still going.

This Rose-breasted Grosbeak never cease to surprise me - I would look up and there he'd be.

For a minute there I thought I was seeing a new specie - Judy Davis happened to be walking toward me when I showed her my finding - good thing too, otherwise I might still be looking for it's ID. This Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a pretty good looking female if I must say so myself.

The Northern Parula - a male - telltale signs is the dark 'necklace' below his neck.

The Prothonotary continues to take by breath away with it's simplistic beauty.

The Parula and the Prothonotary were hanging in the same tree....there's plenty of fruit to go around.

Not too far away was the juvenile Osprey - who had just jumped over from its nest - he/she will soon take its first flight.

The Black-billed Cuckoo is still in the area - what a treat to see it two days in a row.

The European Starling - often overlooked - is filled with an interesting pattern in its plumage and the yellow bill is indication of breeding.

A Prairie Warbler

Till the next time.....I live in Paradise and I am grateful.

 

 My E-Bird List for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17994747