Florida 2000

Friday, May 5th
Cheri started me out on my two day endurance test with a trip to the Hal Scott Regional Preserve along the Econlockhatchee River (you've just got to love those Florida names). The first bird we saw as we entered was an Eastern Meadowlark - the 100th bird of the trip. We started our LONG walk throughout the preserve in search of three great birds - Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and Bachman's Sparrow. Along the way we found a Northern Bobwhite. We passed some preserve employees who told us that they had located a new colony of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.

Proceeding on, my most excellent guide heard the Bachman's Sparrow singing. She pointed out a very small bird on the end of a branch off in the distance. Cheri decided that this would be a good time to hold a contest - namely to see who could get the most cuts on their legs by walking through the palmetto. Unfortunately, I won that contest. Fortunately, the cuts led me to a better view of the bird. I could watch it throwing its head back in song. Very nice. That was the only life bird that I got on the trip. We continued on and saw more Eastern Meadowlarks and some Eastern Bluebirds. Both almost became junk birds. We heard and then found a Pileated Woodpecker. Always a thrill to see that.

Cheri noted that everything was much drier than usual. Cheri heard a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and while we were looking for it, we both noticed some movement and saw a Barred Owl. I tried taking some pictures of it, but there were branches in the way. We moved a little and I got a nice clear look at it. I didn't see the gnatcatcher then, but did pick it up later in the day. We went into Cheri's "Enchanted Forest" in search of the nuthatch but could not find it. (It would not have been a lifer, but would have been nice to see.) The old trees covered with Spanish Moss were beautiful but they were quiet. Saw several Tufted Titmice and added Pine Warbler, Downy Woodpecker and White-eyed Vireo to the list. We did not see the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Cheri had gotten them for me as a lifer on a previous Florida trip). The birding was slow but I did get a lifer and some good trip birds there.

Cheri's Enchanted Forest

Next we went on to the Blue Heron Water Treatment plant. Cheri knew that there was a pair of Sandhill Cranes with a chick there. We found them near the entrance and enjoyed looking at the fuzzy chick. Cheri looked up and saw a Bald Eagle on a tower. We drove along the impoundments. Again, it was hot and dry and the birding was slow. Saw the "usual" herons and egrets and I was pleased to see Purple Gallinules and Least Bitterns again. Chimney Swifts flew overhead. Gull-billed Terns were another highlight of this area.

YR and the Giant Fire Ant Hill

Then on to Orlando Wetlands Park, one of my very favorite birding places. At the entrance, we saw the mother of all Fire Ant Hills. We were greeted by Red-shouldered Hawk and Wood Storks when we entered. We began our long walk at the park by going to an area on the other side of the road to look at a Swallow-tailed Kite nest. When we got near the nest, we were treated to the sight of one of the adults circling around it while carrying a snake. It eventually brought it to the nest where it dropped it for the other adult. We also saw a tiny head in the nest.

We went back to the main part of the park and walked around the impoundments. It was so dry that the grassy on the berms crunched under our feet and the water levels were quite low. We saw lots of Black Vultures in trees and on the ground. On one of the berms, we came across pile after pile of feathers. Don't know what got what but the bird population dropped by about fifteen birds.

A park employee was driving an airboat and spraying what we thought was herbicides on some of the water plants. He was plowing through areas apparently unconcerned about what effect he was having on nesting birds. However, there was one funny aspect to this. The alligators heard the sound of the motor and must have taken it for a giant rival as about three of them started bellowing in response.

(I have subsequently been advised by a city of Orlando employee that park employees are concerned about the wildlife. He said that their management efforts they have helped to increase the water quality and the wildlife habitat. He said that all their activities are only coordinated with those two goals in mind. He said that airboat drivers have an excellent view of the nests and nesting birds and that disturbances are held to a minimum. He, furthermore, stated that long term studies on the herbicide they use show that it does not cause birth defects or reproductive problems in laboratory animals and that it does not accumulate in the food chain.)

We walked on and came to the area where Purple Martins nest in the palm trees. This is supposedly the only area east of the Rockies where these birds nest in natural areas rather than in man made housing. We came upon a man who said, to my surprise, "There is an ice skater around the bend." At least that is what I heard at first. I quickly realized that what he actually said was "There is a nice gator around the bend." We did see the gator but I was much more interested in the Limpkin that was nearby. Cheri realized that she was probably not going to wear me out and we called it the end of our birding day.

The First Florida Page Lake Woodruff NWR and Zellwood Farms

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