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DESTINATION - SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Typical BIRD SIGHTINGS
Provided by SRQ Bird Alert
18 February - Late this afternoon, I observed a Solitary Sandpiper, on a mud flat
in the eastern part of the canal that runs along the path that separates the large impoundments, north of Palmer Blvd.
in The Celery Fields. Always nice to see this infrequent winter visitor.
Jeff Palmer, Sarasota
20 February - A very confiding (and banded) adult Caspian Tern was among a mixed
flock of resting Gulls and other terns at Ackerman Lake this morning, about 10:00 am.
Sandy Cooper, Osprey
16 February - I went to Pinecraft today, 2/16, between 1 and 2 pm. There were 3
woodstorks, 4 great blue herons, and a snowy at the end of the boat ramp. They approached me warily,
but obviously thinking they might be fed. Bummer. Inside the park I saw 3 pairs of wood ducks at the back in the
creek (Phillippi?) that runs along the west side of the park. Other than that, I did not see or hear any birds, but I
was delighted to see many clumps of the purple flowers of shamrocks in bloom, a tree with what looked like very ripe
tangerines (too high for me to reach), and a vine with berries and clusters of very pretty little purple flowers. A
cheerful sight in contrast with all the damaged flora surrounding us. Over the weekend, I was on my driveway when a
raptor flew down, hoovered and then seemed to pick something from the street in front of my yard. It quickly flew
up onto a lamp post. A small bird was harassing it, and it flew away pretty quickly. I noted that it had a small head.
It had the overall shape of an osprey, but but smaller, and the entire body was striped - very light brown and white,
almost like a dry dust brown; no rust or dark brown. The most striking feature was its bright yellow legs. Any ideas?
I'm not even going to say what I'm thinking it might be.
Elaine Rimbach, Venice
16 February - The Great Backyard Bird Count Weekend at STA5 started off cold and damp
Saturday, but warmed up Sunday and Monday. Some of the highlights included snail kites, white pelicans, tree swallows
and Cassin's kingbirds. An Eurasian wigeon was observed by groups of birders on Saturday, Sunday (west
levee) and Monday (observation deck). On Monday afternoon a mystery kingbird (Tropical or Couch) was observed and
photographed by the last group at the L1 Canal gate. No sound recordings were made. The next trips to STA5 will be
Februrary 20th and March 6th. Early birding and regular escorted tours are offered both days. The other March trips will
be the Big "O" bus and photography tours.
Margaret England LaBelle
15 February - Toay, Went birding with some folks from Ohio at Carlton Reserve in Venice.
The trails are completely flooded and unless you are birding in waders, you will be limited to the parking areas. We
managed to see Red headed, Red bellied, Downy, Yellow bellied Sapsucker and N. Flicker in the Woodpecker
dept. Some nice looking Pine Warblers and White eyed Vireo. We went in to Sleeping Turtles briefly
and had one nice mixed flock that consisted of Yellow throated, Parula and a stunning male Black throated green
warbler(s), Hermit Thrush and a Ruby crowned Kinglet. Good Birding
Rick Grenspun
14 February - Sunday morning, I looked out to the lake (Magnolia) we live on in Venice
Gardens and saw an unusual duck profile. I immediately thought the backlit duck looked like a Shoveler.
I'm used to seeing them up north in Ohio but have not seen one here. A closer look through binoculars revealed a strange
mix of plumages. The head was all slate gray. There was no white crescent back from the bill (which was all dark). The
feathers on the back were white and black and there was a cinnamon patch extending from mid to rear abdomen. The
remainder of the abdomen was white. Sibley's notes that blue-winged teal x shoveler is one of the crossbreeds
seen more often. What a surprising delight
Anonymous
14 February - This morning 2/14 at 11:30am saw the Western Kingbird perched on
fence around pond behind Sarasota High School along School Avenue. We missed this bird on SAS Christmas count this year
but late then never.
Ruth Ellen Peipert
14 February - We had a very unusual experience today (2/14) with an adult and a juvie
bald eagles in our backyard. We have only seen a bald eagle once before in our subdivision perched on a
tall pine tree at the home across the street from us. (We're in the Mcintosh/Bahia Vista area.) However, about an hour
ago, we heard a very plaintive hawk-like "crying" noise in the backyard. At first we thought it might be a hawk, but it
sounded much louder and it definitely sounded like a bird in trouble. We went out on the patio and as we got closer to
the screen, we saw an adult eagle fly from an outer branch of the large live oak nearest our patio. We still heard
the "crying", but at first had difficulty finding out where it was coming from. Then we saw what at first
looked like a large bird's nest, but then the head appeared. It seems that the juvie had gotten itself "stuck" in the
middle of the live oak and was probably wanting the adult to help it get out. When it saw us watching, it finally decided
to fly away, and it did have a difficult time as it was so far into the tree branches. We could see and hear its wings
hitting the branches as it flew out and away. Having never been that close to a bald eagle before, it was amazing
to see just how large a bird it is - no wonder it got frightened when it got itself too far into the tree and surrounded
by all the branches. It was a nice Valentine's present for us! Also, in regard to several posts about the goldfinches
leaving - we've had the same experience - they've dropped out of sight at our feeders in Sarasota as well. I did see a
lone goldfinch several days ago, but none since. On the bright side, we have been enjoying watching the 5 indigo
buntings that have been present at our feeders (as well as on the ground around the feeders) for the past 5 weeks or
so. We had seen one indigo bunting in our yard briefly about 3 years ago, but none since. So we've been quite
delighted to have these new visitors this year. The males are starting to fill in their beautiful indigo color and we're
hoping they'll stick around so we can see them in full indigo color.
Sue & Bill Herring, Sarasota
Please send your input about rare and/or interesting bird sightings to:
SRQbirdalerts@msn.com"
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