Migration and Monhegan

One of my fondest memories of this past summer was the night we spent with campers on Monhegan Island.  Monhegan sits far our in the Gulf of Maine and it a perfect land beacon for migranting birds as they travel south. We hiked up to a open hillside for sunrise and watched the migrant show at it's best. Flyover warblers, shorebirds, and raptors graced the skies above and a few even landed for closer inspection.

We watched raptors diving over the Monhegan forests and heard Bobolinks calling high in the sky.  We were even given great views of a couple of Whimbrels that made repeated flyovers that morning.

Whimbrel over Monhegan taken by Tom Johnson

Of course the main attraction was after sunrise when we hiked the Monhegan trails in search of migrants busily feeding on trees and bush.  We were able to identify 19 species of wood-warblers that day in addition to seeing three species of vireos in one binocular field of view!  In addition, we had a rare Black-crowned Night Heron at the Ice Pond and so many Merlins you couldn't count them all.  

Prairie Warbler on Monhegan taken by Tom Johnson

If you're thinking about joining the Hog Island Audubon Camp on Monhegan next year, you're in luck!  We have two weeks of migration camp with two different sets of prices.  The first session will be a lower price as we will just do a day trip to Monhegan.  The second session of Living on the Wind: Migration and Monhegan will be higher in price but will include an overnight on the island and a chance to see this sunrise birding firsthand!  Of course spaces are limited and we are selling out fast.  I hope you'll consider joining us next summer. 

Green Cay Updates

Working at Green Cay is going well these days.  We are funded for 2013, our Migration Celebration is happening on October 27th, and I won a Golden Palm Award.  October is the beginning of snow bird season so attendance should be picking up.  We already have a few migrant birds coming through including a recently seen Wilson's Warbler, a male Painted Bunting, and our first winter Blue-winged Teal.  Plus, the baby Bobcats are making daily appearances. 

It's been so busy that I haven't had the time to update the blog but you better believe I finished out a great year of Bird-a-Day.  Look for my posted list of birds later this week!  And in other news, I'm in a graduate school program so if you don't see me much online I haven't forgotten The Flying Mullet days of life.  You better believe I have some camping trips planned, a few fun trips coming up, and the birding will continue.  Next up: The Big Sit at Green Cay's Migration Celebration.  We start counting birds from the back deck at 7AM.  Join us! 

Lifer Kentucky Warbler!

Today is number 255 in my Bird-a-Day efforts and after being stuck in Miami rush hour for two hours I was almost at my wits end.  The rain was coming down in buckets and it was already 6:30PM.  I was just beginning to think my hopes of seeing a lifer Kentucky Warbler were dashed but traffic eventually moved and the skies stopped raining just long enough for me to check A.D. Barnes Park.

I walked the sidewalk towards Homeless Hammock.  I followed the directions from birders who had posted of the whearabouts earlier in the day.  And sure enough it was right there, 5 feet away from me on the edge of the hammock.  I ran back to the car and took a few photos.  I know they are crummy but they show my lifer Kentucky Warbler.  I haven't been this stoked about a lifer in ages.  I guess the doubt that mounted in my stressful commute and the rain had me down but this little warbler picked up my spirits.  I was literally beaming while watching him hunt insects in the leaf litter.  It was hard to walk away but I did so happily knowing that I found the prize and the long hours in the car were worth it.  I topped off the celebration with a Shipyard Pumpkinhead once I was home. Thanks Kentucky Warbler for sticking around!  And thanks Miami birders who diligently post their sightings on TAS.   

Keys Birding

 

For Labor Day weekend Andy, Rosana, Emily, and I went to Key West for some fun times.  Along the way we stopped and did some shorebirding near Marathon.  We had a nice collection of birds including Short-billed & Long-billed Dowitchers, Willet, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Sanderling, Semi-palmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and numerous terns on the flats.  While driving over the Bahia Honda Channel I spotted an Audubon's Shearwater.  We tried for better looks but it headed out past the bridge not to be re-seen.

Once in Key West we danced the night away and then on Sunday we birded Fort Zachary State Park.  The area around the bathrooms were very busy we had 10 warbler species within 20 minutes, including a HY Hooded Warbler that gave us killer looks from a few feet away.  After the Prothonotary, Worm-eating, Prairie, Redstart, Ovenbird, Blackpoll, Parula, Black-and-white, and Northern Waterthrush fun we hit the beach for some swimming.  The water was delightfully cool.

Now a busy week is starting and my Bird-a-day year is coming to a close.  I used a Spot-breasted Oriole today but the only easy bird I have left is a White Ibis.  For those that don't know about Bird-a-Day, you should definitely check it out.  I can't believe I made it to September!  

FL Keys Birding

I've shared the story of the Bobolinks EmilyLark and I found in the Keys but I almost forgot to show you the rest of the migrants that we happened upon at Founder's Park and then later at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West. The Keys were full of American Redstarts everywhere we went.  But some less seen migrants were also found like the Blue Grosbeak below. 

Blackpoll Warblers were also found in high numbers.  We found them literally everywhere.  The one above was dangling from the prop roots of a Strangler Fig. After birding Founder's Park in the lower Keys we decided we would head down U.S. 1 and eat lunch in Key West.  

Before a delicious lunch at The Cafe, a block off of Duval St., we went to Fort Zachary for a few more migrants. We were rewarded with plenty of birds including the Dickcissel above and the Prothonotary Warbler below, both seen in one sweep of the binoculars.  We also found a Swainson's Thrush under the nearby brush.  In a large tree by the bathroom we found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and we heard a nearby Gray Kingbird calling from the wires.  In just a couple of days, a mini-fallout occurred at Fort Zachary that we would miss but I wasn't complaining, the birding in the Keys seems always to be good.

If you haven't birded the Keys in spring then you're missing out.  I highly suggest a little trip south in April, it will be one you won't forget!

Bird A Day: Black-throated Gray

The Bird A Day challenge has been taking me to new birding spots and expanding my County, State, and Life Lists. Yes, I do keep them all though not on any competitive level, just for fun. The latest adventure took me to Greynold's Park in Miami-Dade where I relocated an overwintering Black-throated Gray Warbler. At first I couldn't find my target bird but the park was so interesting that I enjoyed searching around. As I realized that my pursuit could end with a dip I went back to the spot described online and pished around. Finally I heard a chip note and knew my warbler was there, way up in the top of the canopy. I took a few crummy photos and watched the warbler until it disappeared. One more bird on the Bird A Day challenge, one happy birder!

Little Winter Warbler

The Palm Warblers are molting in some pretty feathers these days. I've seen more yellows and rust colors show up on our normally drab little winter warblers. Many people overlook our little wag-tailing Palm Warblers but I find them fascinating. Maybe it's that constant nervous twitch or those tiny little legs that keep it perched. Whatever it may be, I do love the little Palm Warbler.

Oh little warbler,
How you always make me smile
Except when you leave.

Florida Trails Bird Migration Talk

Monday, March 5th I will be giving a Bird Migration talk to the Florida Trails group at Okeeheelee Nature Center in West Palm Beach, FL.  If you would like to join the talk it starts at 7PM.  I really enjoy doing some outside speaking engagements and this one always draws a nice crowd.  Those FL Trails folk are some of the friendlist around.  See you Monday!

North America Migration Count

The Green Cay count was loads of fun this year and we had 55 species for the day with 504 individuals. Thanks to Holly, Andy, Emily, and Linda we were able to find 9 warbler species, 2 vireos, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and a few FOS species like Green-winged Teal and Sora. We had a few big misses such as White-winged Dove, Cattle Egret, and Black Vulture. With more time we may have been able to pick up 5 or more species and break 60 but it was a great count and one of our best.

Here's the break-down for those that are interested:
[_4___]____Double-crested Cormorant
[_24__]____Anhinga
[_1___]____Great Blue Heron
[_7___]____Great Egret
[_1___]____Snowy Egret
[_4___]____Little Blue Heron
[_10__]____Tricolored Heron
[_5___]____Green Heron
[_3___]____Black-crowned Night-Heron
[_26__]____White Ibis
[_3___]____Glossy Ibis
[_1___]____Roseate Spoonbill
[_1___]____Wood Stork
[_7___]____Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
[_1___]____Green-winged Teal
[_21__]____Mottled Duck
[_21__]____Blue-winged Teal
[_1___]____Turkey Vulture
[_1___]____Osprey
[_1___]____Cooper's Hawk
[_3___]____Red-shouldered Hawk
[_1___]____Sora
[_1___]____Purple Gallinule
[_130_]____Common Moorhen
[_1___]____Limpkin
[_2___]____Killdeer
[_15__]____Rock Pigeon
[_4___]____Mourning Dove
[_4___]____Chimney Swift
[_1___]____Ruby-throated Hummingbird
[_1___]____Belted Kingfisher
[_5___]____Red-bellied Woodpecker
[_22__]____Blue Jay
[_43__]____Fish Crow
[_12__]____Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
[_6___]____Northern Mockingbird
[_1___]____Brown Thrasher
[_1___]____Loggerhead Shrike
[_12__]____European Starling
[_1___]____White-eyed Vireo
[_1___]____Red-eyed Vireo
[_2___]____Northern Parula
[_1___]____Cape May Warbler
[_2___]____Black-throated Blue Warbler
[_3___]____Yellow-throated Warbler
[_3___]____Prairie Warbler
[_2___]____American Redstart
[_2___]____Ovenbird
[_1___]____Northern Waterthrush
[_1___]____Common Yellowthroat
[_10__]____Northern Cardinal
[_39__]____Red-winged Blackbird
[_23__]____Boat-tailed Grackle
[_2___]____Common Grackle
*Egyptian Goose

Thanks again count crew, you guys made this one a lot of fun!

 Photo by Emily Lark, this was her first official NAMC and she was in charge of counting all the Anhingas.

Canada Warbler at Green Cay

Migration has been pretty good at Green Cay this year.  Last week Linda Fell (photo taken by her above) found a Canada Warbler.  I was lucky enough to go out the next day and relocate it.  Also seen were American Redstarts, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warblers, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, and Worm-eating Warbler.  A couple of Red-eyed Vireos and some Blue-gray Gnatcatchers made for a very interesting day at the "Chickee Hut" island. 

Earlier in the week I had birded Matheson Hammock in South Miami and had a very cooperative Swainson's Warbler, Northen Parula, Worm-eating Warblers, and Blue-gray Gnatatchers, all found on the service road.  This area has given Miami birders a Thick-billed Vireo, Kentucky Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler in the past month.   I wish I had seen that Cerulean!  You better believe I'll be out there trying this week. 

Saturday is the North American Migration Count and birders around the country will be out counting in mass.  I'm hoping for something good on this year's count.  I'll be birding the normal Green Cay/Water Utilities areas.  This will be my 5th year leading this count area and I continue to be surprised.  Migration is coming through, don't miss it!

CL Digibinning Louisiana Waterthrush

This early Fall migrant showed up at Green Cay last week.  It's always a pleasure to see a Louisiana Waterthrush and this one I was able to video with the new CL Swarovski binoculars.  I thought they performed pretty well.  For those not familiar, digibinning or digiscoping is when you put a camera up to the lens of a binocular or scope and take a photo or video.  It's a great way to document events and provides a nice up-close view if you don't happen to have an expensive camera.  I'm still working out the new binoculars so I'm sure my technique will improve as the CLs and I become better acquainted. With the small size of the binoculars it was very easy to hold them in one hand and hold the digital camera in the other.  This was a vast improvement from my clunky old bins that were a little awkward to hold with one hand.

Purple Martins Returning

It's cleaning time for the Purple Martin boxes. We had 4 scouts on Saturday.

Winter is here!

Well not quite but a snow bird is in the pond, our first American Wigeon of the year! It was spotted today where the half mile and mile trail divert, the T. Also a few American Bittern are being seen as well. I'll be out there today after work to get my first glimpses. I cannot wait to walk around and catch up on all the migrants that have been coming home.

Merlin at Green Cay

Photo taken by Bill Kominsky at Green Cay.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Green Cay once again has a migrating Merlin stopping by our wetlands. Last year we had a Merlin that visited us for about 3 weeks. This year we are on the same tracks. Our Merlin has been delighting visitors as it snatches dragonflies from the wing. The best place to find it is near the T intersection where the half mile and one mile trails meet. Good luck and watch out, you never know what you may find out there!

Migrants on the Loose

Being stuck in the office is only mildly annoying but when it happens during migration, well let's just say I am very envious of all the visitors at Green Cay that have been able to watch migration pass through. Here is a sampling of some of the birds being seen. I REALLY must get out there this week. Maybe I'll stay late today after work and walk around.

All photos taken at Green Cay by Bill Kominsky.

NAMC at Green Cay

Ovenbird on the NAMC at Green Cay, excuse the blurry digibinning.


After days of many Prairie Warblers we only managed to find one for the count.

Last bird of the NAMC was a flock of Roseate Spoonbills seen in the distance. As you can see from the photo it was a gorgeous day and we were rewarded with some slight breezes that kept us cool.

On Saturday September 18, 2010 birders from across the country particpated in the North American Migration Count. This year's Green Cay count team consisted of Holly Krahe, Andy Lantz, and myself. We started at 8AM and birded until well after noon. Our count area consists of the 100 acre Green Cay property and the Water Utilities pond across the street which has an additional 0.75 mi nature trail. I am very fortunate that my job allows me to participate in this count during work hours and it's always a day full of fun for me and my volunteers.

We started the count off with one of the best birds of the count, a Merlin. As we continued on we racked up the number of Common Moorhen and the usual waders. On the Cypress Island we found the Northern Waterthrush that has been hanging around all week but we dipped on the Prothonotary that was seen earlier in the week. We found a nice little flock on the Chickee Hammock that gave us the above photographed Ovenbird along with Red-eyed Vireo and young Brown Thrashers. Nearing the half mile trail we found a small flock of early Blue-winged Teal. More of these birds will migrant down in the coming months.

After scoping the parking lot we headed across the street to the Water Utilties pond. We found a few migrants over there as well including our only Prairie Warbler of the count along with quite a few American Redstart. After noon we disbanded our team but I gave it one more spin around the mile trail and managed to pick up the 7 Roseate Spoonbills seen above. We ended the day with 48 species, not a record but certainly a number of migrants were found. Our complete results are listed as follows:

8 Pied-billed Grebe
4 Double-crested Cormorant
13 Anhinga
1 Least Bittern
2 Great Blue Heron
5 Great Egret
3 Snowy Egret
8 Little Blue Heron
14 Tricolored Heron
7 Cattle Egret
4 Green Heron
16 White Ibis
2 Glossy Ibis
7 Roseate Spoonbill
28 Black-bellied Whistling Duck
34 Mottled Duck
16 Blue-winged Teal
5 Black Vulture
7 Turkey Vulture
1 Osprey
1 Merlin
1 Purple Gallinule
158 Common Moorhen
3 Limpkin
25 Rock Pigeon
8 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
2 Belted Kingfisher
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpeckere
10 Blue Jay
7 Fish Crow
12 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
9 Northern Mockingbird
6 Brown Thrasher
4 European Starling
4 Red-eyed Vireo
2 Yellow-throated Warbler
1 Prarie Warbler
2 Black-and-white Warbler
4 American Redstart
1 Ovenbird
1 Northern Waterthrush
1 Common Yellowthroat
6 Northern Cardinal
45 Red-winged Blackbird
28 Boat-tailed Grackle
4 Common Grackle

Many thanks go out to Andy and Holly for all their help and Kim and Chris for working the front desk and dealing with some difficult visitors in my absence. I can't wait until the next NAMC!

Louisiana Waterthrush Day

Not the best photos but the only ones I've ever had the chance to take. A few weekends ago I went to the Matheson Hammock Nature Tail in Miami-Dade County where some Louisiana Waterthrush were being seen. I had terrific luck and saw three individuals. One spent quite some time hopping around a puddle. It was hot, super humid, and dog owners often came down the path but it was the best time I've had seeing this species. Migration is here folks, I hope you're ready!

5 Terns and a Brown Booby

Our mission was for Bachman's Sparrows and Florida Scrub-Jays but instead we found 5 species of tern and a surprise juvenile Brown Booby. Andy and I started the day in Port St. Lucie County in some typical scrub habitat that jays find beneficial. We hiked around the Savannas Preserve State Park but instead of jays and sparrows we mostly heard Eastern Towhees. At the little patch of trees pictured below we found a nice mix flock of Northern Parula, Prairie Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and a few Carolina Wrens. The Downy Woodpecker above was hanging out with the group as well.

With no luck at the first stop we continued on to another part of Savannas State Park Preserve, the Hawk's Bluff Nature Trail. This state preserve contains the largest tract of freshwater coastal savannas this far south in Florida. It's a beautiful park with open prairie where we heard Sandhill Cranes in the distance and Ospreys overhead.

Once back in the scrub our search continued but this time we found mostly Northen Cardinals. A Great-crested Flycatcher gave us great looks before leaving the park for another try at our target species.

According to Bill Pranty's FL Birding Guide we found a tract of prime scrub habitat near the Government Buildings. We hiked the small property without any luck. The scrub looked promising but either the scrub-jays are gone or they were laying low in the mid-day heat.

Somewhat defeated we decided to head towards the ocean. By this point the day was becoming more and more hot so it was nice to stop near the intercoastal and soak our feet in the water as we did some birding.

This stop proved to be more than adequate for tern species. We saw Sandwich, Royal, Least, and my lifer Gull-billed Tern. We were hoping for a Black Tern but left the stop with only 4 tern species.

At the Fort Pierce Jetty we were able to pick up a fifth tern species but it wasn't the Black Tern we were looking for but instead a Common Tern. This was an unexpected turn of events but definitely a great bird to see. Andy added it to his year list and we felt pretty happy with our find. Of course we were even happier after walking down the jetty and finding a juvenile Brown Booby sitting only feet away.

The jetty gave us great looks at all 5 of our tern species and we stood within a few feet of the booby, soaking in some great looks at a mostly pelagic bird. Many fishermen and visitors walked by with the booby giving no notice or disturbance. It merely sat on the rocks and busied itself preening.

We ended the day with 48 species. Sometimes it's nice to go birding with a target in mind but it's even better to have a few surprises along the way. This weekend I'm back on the road birding, hopefully finding Andy a Black Tern at the Palm Beach County Ag. Fields. Wish us luck!