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.
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