January field trips included excursions to Siesta Key and Circle B Bar Preserve.
Shorebirds on Siesta Key, Jan. 15
This morning on the Sarasota Audubon's beach walk -Siesta Key we found an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and approximately 6 SnowyPlovers. We also had a Loon fly over letting us see the beautiful whitebelly and legs positioned far back on the body. It was also nice to see theSandwich Terns (5) which we did not dig up for the CBC in December. -Kathryn Young, Trip Leader
Circle B Bar Preserve: Jan. 22
The Circle B-Bar Reserve, one of the newest birding hot spots in Southwest Florida, proved its reputation on Saturday, January 22nd. The weather was cool, but pleasant. We tallied 68 species in four hours of birding. The oak and pine trees yielded Prairie Warbler, White-eyed Wireo, Yellow-rumped and Yellow-throated Warblers, along with an abundance of robins. We even spotted several very early Purple Martins. Most of the reserve is a water area. Hundreds of White Pelicans circled overhead.
All of the usual herons and egrets were seen, along with hundreds of coots, moorhens, and grebes. Limpkins were plentiful and were not at all shy. Three (yes, three!) American Bitterns put on a show: all so close to the path that binoculars were not needed. A Bald Eagle was on its nest. Wintering ducks, including Blue and Green-winged Teal, Wigeon, Shovelers, rRng-necked, and Pintails, were readily observed.
After lunch, half of the group elected to return to the spot where a King Rail had been reported. It obliged the group with great views, just a few feet off the path. It was a suitable ending to a great day of birding.
-Lynn Jakubowicz, Trip Leader
Who's welcome on these trips? Everyone, and that means you. Visit us online at http://www.sarasotaaudubon.org/ for the line up of trips in February and beyond!
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