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Posted by Bruce P on 13:11:48 10/22/13
A banner day for migrants today! I had the pleasure of meeting up with Holly and her mother and Dr. Monk for terrific morning of birding...
Along the boardwalk in the open meadow area there were 5 Indigo Buntings (3F+2M) and several Painted Buntings along with House Wren, Common Yellowthroat and Palm Warblers. Eastern Phoebe and Pine Warblers were in amongst the tall pines near the gazebo.
Immediately opposite in the brushy area and near the lone fig tree were several Ovenbirds (a fresh wave of these seem to have arrived), a Gray-Cheeked Thrush and loads of BT Blue Warblers (easily the most common bird in the park today - I lost count after 30).
In the Cypress swamp area and around the gazebo, Brian and I got great looks at a YB Cuckoo. Also, FOS YB Sapsucker, BH and YT Vireo and a nice variety of warblers.
After Holly left, Brian and I continued back along the north (wet) side of the boardwalk. Just past the sharp turn, heading back toward the entrance, we saw an unlikely grouping of Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager and Baltimore Oriole. Sorry Holly!
After Brian left, I drove to the north end of the park and although already hot and tired I was able to park behind the cones the workmen had set up near the pumping station, so I decided to walk the perimeter. Aside from a roosting RT Hawk and a Flicker, there was nothing particularly noteworthy until I got to the fire-break. The first part was very birdy - lots of BT Blues again, along with White-eyed Vireos and PBs - but one little bird kept popping up and 'chattering' at me. Although calling continuously, it finally stayed up long enough for some good looks - gray/green head and back, faint white eye ring, yellowish belly. After getting home and reviewing the calls and field marks, I am reasonably confident that it was a Bell's Vireo. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a pic - will likely try again tomorrow.
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