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Posted by Rafael Galvez on 09:26:47 07/30/12
I spent some time looking for birds at a few locations in Collier County, from Big Cypress to Chokoloskee with the primary interest of observing the evening passage of migratory Swallow-tailed Kites.
Swallow-tails have been known to fly over the Gulf of Mexico / Florida Straits through the night, at times taking off from the SW tip of Florida late in the evening.
Kirby Sorter, Janes Scenic Drive and Chokoloskee had no shortage of song birds. The following are highlights:
Northern Parula: 3. All first year birds. Fakahatchee.
Black-and-White Warbler: 5. present at all locations, primarily Kirby Sorter.
Yellow-throated Warbler: 7. Present at all locations. All birds apparently of the "albilora" subspecies all were white-lored birds. Anybody else notice loral coloration in YTWA currently moving through SFL? Also noticed that 3 of the birds were first year birds.
Prairie Warbler: Several seen between Chokoloskee and Everglades City, presumably of the "paludicola" year-round resident subspecies.
Pine Warblers: 3. Janes Scenic Drive.
Northern Waterthrush: 5. Chokoloskee and the mouth of Turner River (by kayak).
Louisiana Waterthrush: 7. At least 4 throughout Janes Scenic Drive. At least 3 at Kirby Sorter, where they were SINGING. I first heard singing LOWA during fall migration in July of 97 at Fakahatchee. Yesterday at Kirby Sorter, the LOWA were very vocal, and I managed to get some audio recording of the singing.
Common Yellowthroat: Several at various locations.
American Redstart: 2 first year males at Fakahatchee.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: At all locations, with "flocks" up to a dozen birds foraging or in flight.
Swallow-tailed Kites were visible several instances from Fakahatchee through Chokoloskee. The highlight of the trip was a flock of 10 STKI moving S-SE towards Everglades City at 6:45pm. It is likely these birds continued moving past Ten Thousand Islands well into the evening, and possibly into the Gulf as night fell.
Swallows are well into migration, with strong movements noticed over Fakahatchee. Hundreds of Barn Swallows moved south, with several Cave Swallows in the midst and a few Bank.
Some non-migrant highlights:
Mangrove Cuckoos were heard at 3 distinct locations between Florida City and the mouth of Turner River.
King Rail: 4 seen along Janes Scenic, with several others heard.
Least Bittern
Snail Kite
Barred Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl
Tufted Titmouse
Eastern Bluebird
and more!
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