Fun in the Field: More Great Birding in 2010

Check out the birds we enjoyed on Sarasota Audubon trips in late November and early December. Hope you'll join us in January.

Siesta Key Shorebirds, Nov. 24

It was another stunning day on Siesta Key as a dozen birders scoured the beach for shorebirds. Though shorebirds were in scant supply, we did notice a large congregation of Herring Gulls that were not in evidence two weeks ago. The best showing was off shore, where we witnessed about 14 Common Loons in formation and a couple of hundred ducks, most probably either Scaup or Ring necks, way too far away to be sure. One lone male Magnificent Frigate bird gave us close looks as well as a second year Bald Eagle chasing an Osprey.

An adult Sharp-shinned Hawk was briefly seen on one of the condos and later provided good looks from the parking lot. Though only 26 species were tallied, it was, as always, a pleasure to be out in such perfect weather.

Good Birding and a Safe and Happy Holiday to All.  -Rick Greenspun



Lido Key Shorebirds, Dec. 5

This morning I led 9 birders to North Lido Key and North Lido Key Woods in search of wintering shorebirds, raptors, and passerines. Our best bird today was a late Magnificent Frigatebird seen as we were ending our walk and discussing the checklist!

We started at the beach near the parking lot where a large group of gulls and terns awaited. Most were Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns, with a smattering of Ring-billed Gulls and Sandwich Terns thrown in. There were 2 Herring Gulls and a couple Forster’s Terns as well. As we were watching that group, we saw a Black-bellied Plover and Snowy Plover off to the north, and a Sanderling that had flown into the gull group. We walked north along the beach from the gulls, and saw 4 Snowy Plovers, one of which was one legged! It wasn’t tucked in like usual. It was hobbling and hopping around very well, though. Further up the beach, we saw a landing Willet, and many Brown Pelicans off in the distance.

We kept our eyes peeled for pelagic birds, but none were seen. From there we walked across the dunes to the woods. Along the way we had a small flock of a dozen or so Palm Warblers. High in a dead tree, we saw an American Kestrel with several House Finch, a Mourning Dove, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker. In the park, we added Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Pine Warbler, and Black-and-white Warbler. On our way out, we saw a Kestrel and a Downy Woodpecker. Beautiful morning out today. Dan Irizarry


Myakka River State Park, Dec. 8

Ten members and guests attended the Sarasota Audubon field trip to Myakka River State Park on Wednesday, January 8. Starting out on a sunny but near-frosty morning, conditions warmed up to a delightfully pleasant day. We sighted 68 different species of birds which is believed to be a record for a SAS Myakka Field trip. Highlights included John Ginaven's discovery of a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers on the upper lake, and during our picnic at the end of the birding day, Edith Miller sighted a flock of approximately 50 White Pelicans. Other "good" birds seen by all included a Crested Caracara, Spotted Sandpipers, Hooded Merganser

The Snow Goose, which was present on the Upper Lake for two weeks, was not seen. Perhaps it built up it's protein supply and took off for its regular wintering grounds along the Texas Gulf coast. -Owen Comora & Kathryn Young


Visit us online at http://www.sarasotaaudubon.org/ for the schedule of trips. You're always welcome to join us.

Carefree Learner & Celery Fields in December: Great Trips

We're lucky to have so many places to enjoy and explore in Sarasota. Here are the species counts from two trips in December:


Celery Fields, December 11
Today during a Sarasota Audubon walk at Celery Fields we tallied up 55 species. We missed on Owen Comora's Gull-billed Tern but did find an Avocet (thanks to sharp-eyed Alice from NY) in the ponds south of Palmer Rd. From Palmer take a right on Raymond to the furthest western pond. A second highlight was the many Marsh Wrens and one Sedge Wren (thanks to our great guide Rick Greenspun). The SEWR was found in the cattails just below and to the north of the gazebo. The third highlight were the dozen or so Dunlin found in the 1st pond just west of the Gazebo and easily seen from the sidewalk. --Kathryn Young, Trip Leader

Carefree Learner, December 16
Today SAS member Campell Lee and I went on our first trip aboard the Carefree Learner. Though it was chilly, the calm weather and clear skies made the experience pleasant.

At Robert’s Bay Rookery we observed numerous Double-crested Cormorants and a dozen plus Great Blue Herons resting, nesting and courting. Two GB Herons were or near to being fledglings (didn’t see them fly). As well, we observed Brown Pelicans, a Cattle Egret, a Black-crowned Night-Heron, Great Egrets, laughing Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls and a Herring Gull resting at rookery.

A dozen White Pelicans were scattered about resting around the nearby mangrove islands along with resting and feeding waders-Little Blue Heron, Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, and more GB Herons and Great Egrets. Other birds seen at rookery were a large flock of Fish Crows, Turkey Vulture and a Belted Kingfisher. On the way back, our boat captain drew our attention to a Common Loon that surfaced near the boat then we spotted more in the bay. I also saw resting on a warning buoy a possible Black Tern in non-breeding plumage. It was a small tern with a notable dark gray back and wings. We ended our trip with a nice view of an adult Bald Eagle soaring over head at the marina. Good Birding to All and Happy Holidays! -Ruth Ellen Peipert, Trip Leader


Visit us online at www.sarasotaaudubon.org  to see our schedule of trips! We'd love to have you aboard.