Home stretch - recap

Migration is winding down and we're on the home stretch now - I had the opportunity to go to the Lighthouse and to travel through Ding Darling in search of the latest migrants, this year we are not seeing the birds in great numbers which, in essence, means the birds are finding some favorable conditions for traveling north - we wish them well. 

One exception though was seeing the Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks by the dozen - that was quite exciting and OH! what eye candy they are.

A Yellow-crowned Night Heron probably wondered what the fuss was all about - however it paid us no mind and went about its feeding business.

The Scarlet Tanager on the other hand truly stole the show!

I found another along the Shell Mound and this one was sound asleep and all tucked in behind 1000s sticks, it was probably exhausted from the trip and needed some rest before resuming its journey.

Another visit to the Lighthouse and this time we found a female Scarlet Tanager....

a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak and....

a few males around the corner - they were not so generous with us and kept hidden for the most part.

This morning I returned to my ole stomping ground - the Bailey Tract - where I observed several Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings.

Of course the regulars came into play too and it was most enjoyable to watch this Mottled Duck family come straight toward me - I stood still so as not to spook them and they walked right by me.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker caught my attention when the sawdust started to fly around.

Along the edge of the Sanibel River several gators were seen getting their sun rituals, I pointed them out to the visitors and they were quite delighted to see them.

Around the corner a Black-necked Stilt was spotted on the nest, soon we will have little chicks walking around.

Those Stilts are just so elegant looking.

As I was heading out a group of Least Sandpipers landed along the island within the Ani Pond - sweet! This day at the Bailey Tract this morning turned out to be a fantastic spree - I tallied up 56 species - a record for me at this location. See my E-bird List for today.

Sweet Migration

I mentioned to a pal recently that birding is like a box of chocolate - you just never know what you're going to get and the same applies while migration is taking place, though the weather and the wind tends to play a big factor and this year it's all been 'odd'. In any event, this past week I finally got to see some of the late migrants going through, come and take a look....

Our local Palm Warblers have gone north for some time now, in this instance I had a Palm coming from the South and stopping by for a bite to eat before continuing further north.

An interesting little fellow - was it a finch? - was it a Dickcissel? - well, how about an Indigo Bunting! I've got so much to learn yet.

A Black-throated Green Warbler gave us the greatest view ever, we figured that he just landed, was totally exhausted, famished and he didn't care who was nearby.

Now, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak is one gorgeous bird!

The resident Gopher was keeping a sharp eye on things.

A lady Rose-breasted Grosbeak - this is one of those exception as far as the female being drab - not so much in this case if you ask me.

Another view of the Black-throated Green Warbler.

A female American Redstart posing for a split second.

A Red-eyed Vireo, I had many great views of many of them and I'm sure that I will recognize this fellow in the future, no doubt!

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak pair.

Not a migrant but a great way to start the day with the sunrise - this White Ibis was actually gathering some sticks.

And guess who? If you said Blackpoll Warbler then you win the applause!

Quite a few Yellow-billed Cuckoo have been seen for the past couple of weeks and that's greaaat!

Ahhhh....the Gray-cheeked Thrush....what a beauty!

And today's eye candy goes to the Scarlet Tanagers - we had 2 male and 1 female - lucky gal!

Happy Mother's Day to me and to all the moms out there.

 

Lighthouse beach park

A front filled with rain came through and the north winds picked up - some cool weather is in the air now and I have hopes that some migrants will be dropping by until they can resume their flight north.

While I wait and look patiently, I take time to observe our regulars along the trail - a Mourning Dove was taking a respite from the whipping winds.

The Osprey on the other hand was 'business as usual' - feasting on fresh fish.

A short walk on the beach provided sights of Dolphins cruising by the water's edge and hundreds of washed up shells.

When I came back to the trail - there were a group of birders with their bins up and there they were: 6 Indigo Buntings.

And that, folks, was the extent of my sightings of migrants for today, perhaps some were hunkered down and will show up tomorrow - time will tell. Happy Birding!

March, mating, migration mmm

I visited a friend this week and had the opportunity to catch glimpse of:

A Brown Thrasher singing,

An Indigo Bunting eating some seeds and

a Swallow-tailed Kite gathering some nesting material.

 

The Shipley Trail - FOS American Robin

The Shipley Trail which borders the Bailey's Homestead and the new home for SCCF's native Nursery is progressing nicely - the nursery is open and the Homestead will follow on the early part of next year.

Come and take a look at all the progress...

This is viewed from the parking lot - in the back is where the Shipley Trail is.

The Bailey Homestead.

The Windmill which borders the trail and the homestead property.

The fresh water pond.

I made my way to the Shipley Trail which overlooks the Bailey Homestead.

A bit of history on the Windmill.

I walked to the reclaimed water area which sits behind Matzaluna Restaurant and at the end of the Shipley Trail - technically this area is also known at the Pond Apple Trail - the two trails connect. This morning several birds were already resting from their breakfast feasts.

A Tricolored heron.

A pair of Killdeer.

From the trail head of the Pond Apple Trail I am looking across the ponds and into the tall Australian Pine.....

where the pair of Bald Eagle is presently resting.

Further along, some little frogs were seen jumping the bridge (railing) into the nearby vegetation as I approached.

Plenty of purple moon flowers can be seen along the trails.

I love to be on a trail - looking ahead yet not knowing what I will encounter....an adventure awaits.

On my way back I noticed a few more Killdeers, as I raised my binoculars to count them I am surprised to see how many there are....

the more I watch, the more I see - I counted 24.

A Young Anhinga claimed a wood post - he watched intently as I walked slowly by....

after I passed him, I turned to watch his demeanor - he made me think of: Ready, set, GO!....but he fooled me because he stayed put after all.

Back along the boardwalk - I noticed the pollen dwellers.

And my surprise for today - an American Robin - my first of season sighting....the Robins have been making their way down south and looks like this fellow has arrived in Sanibel - how precious!

A young Indigo Bunting was also spotted along the trail...

in the midst of the Yellow-rumped Warblers, which have become a dime a dozen.

Folks, the birding is getting better and I would venture to guess that the wildlife/birds are approving their new grounds that surrounds the Bailey Homestead/SCCF nature Gardens ...check my E-Bird list for today - 33 species!