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.

 

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.

Migrants visiting with the locals

Some front was supposed to move in - perhaps tomorrow. In the meantime I took a drive through Ding Darling and later visited the Sanibel Lighthouse - it's always nice to be out there - catching sight of my feathered friends and birding buddies.

This is not a usual sighting along the wildlife drive.

 The Double-crested Cormorant looked like he had swallowed the canary or maybe he's just smiling and happy to see me.

It always feels special to spot the Night Herons and the little ones are really precious.

These guys were hanging out by the Caloosa trail at the end of the wildlife drive.

He waived me on as I passed through the exit door.

Off I went to the lighthouse and I was treated to a lot of Indigo Buntings, often times sitting in a tree by the dozen.

A nice little burst of yellow when the Prairie shows up.

This looks like a female Scarlet Tanager. - If I got this one wrong, please don't be shy to share.

I love this White-eyed Vireo and it feels especially nice to be able to capture those eyes.

The Cowbird - a Shiny female.

 Another great day birding - I hope it holds out for a while longer. My E-Bird lists http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17921068

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17921132