Birding in hot sizzling July

It has been unseasonably hot this year and beginning the day with the first light is in order, beside - what's not to love to be able to witness the sun rise as a new day begins!

Today's adventure takes place at the southern part of Fort Myers Beach aka CWA, so come along...

The Black Skimmers can be found there in great numbers as they use this area for their nesting ground.

Interestingly enough there is a pair of Black Scoters that did not leave with their peers during migration - so, it's a nice bonus for us.

One of many Wilson Plovers spotted along the beach - adults and young ones are seen strolling the beach now.

A nice addition to our list was to see 18 Roseate Spoonbills - these seemed to be in a yoga balancing act.

One of the three Reddish Egrets seen feeding.

Several Marsh Rabbits were along the edges of the beach vegetation munching away while keeping a keen eye on their surroundings.

A Young Great Blue Heron - check the plumage and the legs.

Elaine was sharing a moment with GBHE

Nice little group of Ruddy Turnstone, Snowy Plover and Sanderling.

The Least Terns are still nesting.

A young version,

an adult.

A Wilson Plover - check the black nails on those pink toes.

A single Oystercatcher - it might have been the only one but its striking look steals the show.

A Snowy Plover

A gorgeous Black Skimmer preening

I'd say it cleans up pretty good!

 

 I hope you get a chance to visit this quiet pristine spot and spend some time with those beautiful creatures.

Least Terns

It is this time of the year when the Least Tern return to our area and are now entering into their courtship. They may be our smallest tern but don't let that fool you - they are quite vocal and if you go too close to their nesting ground - you better be prepared - or else!

I was out on the beach today and watched this pair doing their courtship - come along and take a look....

The male initially presents and feeds the fish to the waiting female.

Stay tuned!

Sweet shore

My plans changed several times within the last 24 hours or so and the winning location turned out to be south Ft.Myers Beach - the traffic has diminished a great deal and heading on that busy street is now doable. Come and see what was on the shore today....

A small raft of Scoters has been reported along the shore and it didn't take long for us to notice them.

We found one Surf Scoter - "rare" according to e-bird. This is a young male which is noticeable by the white and orange bill, when the male becomes an adult it will have a white patch above the bill and behind his head.

This lone Surf Scoter was hanging with 5 female Black Scoter which are really brown, however the male Black Scoter is black.

Several Wilson Plovers were spotted this morning,

the male (on the right) has a darker band below the neck, the female remains brown.

A lone White Pelican was observed, it looks quite young and will most likely stay behind for the time being.

I always find this amazing when I see their pouch and how thin it is when highlighted with the sun.

More Wilson Plover prints.

The Ruddy Turnstone were found in big numbers today - soon they will leave our area and migrate to the High Arctic Tundra of N.Amer where they will nest for the summer.

While we were watching the Ruddy Turnstone a Whimbrel made a brief landing before taking off again - perhaps next time I'll get to see it a tad bit longer.

The Least Terns have arrived and they were quite vocal - a trait that I had forgotten about. They were seen diving in for tiny fish and eating on the fly.

One of them on the right is banded - pale blue over yellow on the right leg.

A White Morph of the Reddish Egret in breeding plumage - take a look at that bubble gum bill!

A pair of Cattle Egret also in their breeding plumage.

A beautiful sunny day makes it enticing for a dip in the Gulf.

Or for a rest on the beach - the Black Scoter seems to know just how to do that. Happy Birding folks! My E-Bird List for today.

Freedom to fly

A bit of beach walking this morning provided me with some great time observing our feathered friends and to muse about the fact that they have the freedom to fly - whether as a mode of transportation or to flee for protection. I was glad to see more birds on the beach too, come and take a look....

The White Ibis in its breeding plumage really caught my attention - look at those blue eyes, crimson legs/bill and

that gular pouch! The Ibis are common but they certainly deserve second looks, don't you think?

A younger White Ibis with some of its brown feathers remaining - by next year it will sport its new white coat too.

Several Least Terns were on the beach this morning - resting and feeding in between.

An adult Least Tern.

Some Ruddy Turnstone came in to mingle and to check if the food is better in this corner.

An Osprey was also actively looking for some breakfast.

A juvenile Least Tern

A wet Black Skimmer landed near the adult Least Tern.

A Sub-adult Brown Pelican flew by too.

More Least Tern

People were walking the beach along the edge of the water causing the birds to take flight - a Ruddy Turnstone showing its intricate patterns.

The Black Skimmer did not spend much time resting - off he went to resume his feast.

A few Royal Terns were present too - on the left I see that this Tern has been banded.

Notice the difference in the size between the almost largest Tern with the smallest Tern.

See the difference in flight too.

Another young Least Tern - notice the difference in the bill and the plumage.

Well, folks, it's been fun and soon more birds will return to our area, I look forward to welcome them back.