[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Vince Lucas on 09:30:24 04/09/06
Yesterday, 04/08/2006, Is Gotti and I joined more than 50 others (exact number not known) to once again check-out the avian "happenings" at STA-5 (Stormwater Treatment Area #5) in far eastern Hendry County. It's interesting to see how things change from week-to-week at STA-5. For example, when birders and others were last allowed into STA-5 on March 18th, we saw approximately 60+ Fulvous Whistling-Ducks and only about 10+ Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. Yesterday, there were an estimated 500+ Fulvous and 750+ Black-bellied Whistling Ducks present and all afforded great views to everyone present. Their "din" (whistling) at times was truly amazing. Likewise, I've never seen Short-billed Dowitchers present at STA-5, only Long-billeds. However, yesterday, both species were present and in high numbers. Undoubtedly, the Short-billed Dowitchers were migrants. Many were already in breeding plumage whereas none of the Long-billeds I saw were. Although still present, Belted Kingfishers and Northern Harriers were significantly reduced in numbers indicating that they may have begun departing south Florida. Likewise no Palm Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, buntings, etc. that are normally seen along the canals/ditches on Blumberg Rd. were seen. Other subtle changes were evident to me as well i.e. seeing different Odonates like Four-spotted Pennants which I've never seen in winter at STA-5 and Great Southern Whites (Leps) which looked very fresh and must have just eclosed. There's always something fascinating to see at STA-5 and I never tire of going there. Birders and other interested parties will have one last opportunity to do so on April 22nd. If interested in going, please contact SFWMD and Hendry-Glades Audubon Secretary Margaret England at sta5birding@earthlink.net. Directions and maps to STA-5 can be viewed at:
http://tropicalaudubon.org/sta.html
Here's yesterday's STA-5 bird list which includes birds seen along Blumberg Rd. All numbers are estimates only. There may have been more species seen by others present, but these are all of the sightings for which I am aware:
Black-bellied Whistling Duck (750+)
Fulvous Whistling Duck (500+)
Wood Duck (2)
Mottled Duck (20+)
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail ( Ring-necked Duck (6+)
American White Pelican (200+)
Double-crested Cormorant
Anhinga
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill (20+)
Wood Stork (100+)
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara
Purple Swamphen(100+)
Purple Gallinule ( Common Moorhen
American Coot
Limpkin
Black-bellied Plover (3)
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt (breeding)
American Avocet (1 adult & 10 juveniles)
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper (12+)
Long-Billed Dowitcher (200+)
Short-Billed Dowitcher (25+)
Caspian Tern (2)
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Loggerhead Shrike
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow (few)
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Common Yellowthroat
Savannah Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Boat-tailed Grackle
Lastly, on the way to STA-5 from Naples via CR846, CR833 & CR835, in addition to the more common waders and passerines, Is Gotti & I saw two Limpkins, two Sandhill Cranes, one Crested Caracara, one American Kestrel and about 6 or more Yellow-crowned Night-herons. The latter were sitting on nests along the C-11 Canal on CR835. On the way back to Naples, we added a few birds to the day list when we ate our lunch at Canon Hammock Park, namely Great Crested Flycatcher & White-eyed Vireo among a few others.
Our best sighting on the return-to-Naples trip were of 4 Western Kingbirds still present in extreme Collier County along CR858 as they have been all winter. But this time, the birds had moved from the north-south leg of CR858 to the east-west leg (Oil Well Rd.) about a mile west of the Hendry County Correctional Facility. Interestingly, this is where the water in the canal along the road "re-emerged". Other areas along this canal are bone-dry due to the severe drought we here in southwest Florida are experiencing at the moment.
If anyone who was at STA-5 yesterday can add any additional sightings, I would be interested to hear from you.
Good birding!
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]