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Posted by Alex Harper on 20:45:21 11/20/08
It seems to me that we have many great wintering birds showing up already across the state. I am rather frustrated that I am up in Pensacola while the "best" birds of this past fall and beginning winter have been in Dade!
Golden-crowned Kinglets have been showing up on University of West Florida's campus for over a month now, as have many sparrows. I can see Chipping, Savannah, Song, White-throated, and Swamp Sparrows around classes. I spotted my first junco of the winter while I was walking to the library this afternoon. Brown Creeper and Pine Siskins have both been spotted in coastal Alabama, and they should be in the Panhandle soon, along with Winter Wrens, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Purple Finches.
Massive numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Orange-crowned Warblers can be seen up in the Panhandle already! I'm talking flocks of up to 30 birds in the middle of a university campus!
Brewer's and Rusty Blackbirds have been reported from the Panhandle already, but I have yet to see any up here thus far. My only Brewer's in Florida ever was in Dade last year, and my first Rusty may be in Dade soon!
A few ducks have finally arrived in the area. I have had Gadwall, both teals, shovelers, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, and many Hooded Mergansers in the past two weeks.
I will be chasing a Black-chinned Hummingbird that is in Pensacola this weekend, and then will be flying down to Miami next Tuesday. Hopefully I will be picking up Snow Goose, Least Grebe, Tropical Kingbird, LeConte's Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird for my state/lifelist in one weekend.
If the birds are really pouring into the Panhandle already, keep an eye out for more northern birds in Dade/South Florida as winter rolls on.
Alex,
Pensacola, where it was 34 degrees last night.
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