Sanibel update - day seven

Today we moved from our condo on Sanibel Island to a hotel just a couple of miles away on the main land. A birder had told us about house in a small town called Alva about 30 minutes away that had a number of feeders in the front garden, which often attracted buntings, so "on route" to our hotel we swung by to take a look.

Male Painted Bunting - stunning

Three of a least a dozen Indigo Buntings coming to the feeders

That evening we got tickets to our first ever baseball match! It was fun but long! We gave up after the 6th Inning, which had already taken 2.5 hours! Was a good experience though!!  Little did I know that while we were at the game, at Sanibel lighthouse all sorts of migrating birds were literally dropping out of the sky into the trees and grass. Typical it happened the day we left our condo which was just a 10 minute walk away!     

Sanibel update - day six

We woke up on day six to rain, after a night of thunder and lightening. I was hopeful that would mean "fall out" at Sanibel lighthouse so I set off after breakfast to check out that area. There were a few birders who had the same idea as me, checking the trees and bushes, but no migrating birds were present. There were still a few birds to be seen on the beach though.
  

Black Skimmers

Osprey with lunch

More of the 30 - 40 Skimmers on the beach 

Distant Spotted Sandpiper 

Magnificent Frigatebird

Reddish Egret  

Sanibel - day five

Up to date now. This is a quick post from this morning. I had a quick visit to the Bailey Tract at first light
which was rewarding as got much better views of the Solitary Sandpiper. No sign of the Northern Waterthrush or Sora, although I only looked for 10 minutes. A Greater Yellowlegs and the Stilts were still present.    

Solitary Sandpiper

Morning Dove

On the way back from a trip to supermarket we stopped for a walk around the Pond Apple Trail, hoping to see Bald Eagles, as well as many species of heron and egret.

   

Tricoloured Heron

Anhinga

Bald Eagle - an impressive sight - 2 adults and 2 young at the nest

Palm Warbler

Sanibel - day four

Not much birding today as we spent the day at the beach. In the evening after dinner we walked along the main beach for an hour though. A few pics below.

Black Bellied Plover

Snowy Plover - another new bird for me

Palm Warbler 

Sanibel, A visit to Corkscrew Swamp, Naples - Day 3

Day 3 of our holiday and we headed to one our favourite Florida sites, Corkscrew Swamp near Naples. There is a 2.5 mile board walked loop trail and on previous visits we have seen some great birds. Apart from  2 female Painted Buntings on the feeders near the start of the trail, the first 2 miles was exceptionally quiet, hardly a bird was seen or heard! However, as we moved into an area of the preserve that had a number of small ponds, it all came rapidly to life!

First Julia spotted the first of half a dozen Northern Waterthrushes. Twenty yards later, something caught my eye in the canopy. Wow! An  male American Redstart. It was stunning and I managed to get just a few people on to it before it disappeared.
 

Northern Parula - one of two seen

Louisiana Waterthrush - I was particularly pleased finding this bird as it was quite close to a Northern Waterthrush allowing me to be sure it was different. I debated with an American Birder who  had not seen it and was doubting my claim - until he saw my photos!  

Barred Owl chick - 2 present and an adult

Roseatte Spoonbill

Wood Stork

Red Shouldered Hawk

Possibly the bird of the day - Worm Eating Warbler - luckily found by a birder standing next to me - I think only 3 of us saw it as it passed though and disappeared after about 2 minutes.

Also seen of note were 2 Swallow Tailed Kites, Yellow Throated and Black and White Warblers and Carolina Wren. What a cracking visit, yet again.    

Sanibel, Florida - Day two continued - Ding Darling Wildlife Drive

I am now getting way behind with my blog, but bear with me, it's worth the wait. I am still on day two; we done the wildlife drive in the evening which was quiet as was high tide.

Yellow Crowned Night Heron 

Little Blue Heron

To round off a great day, as we sat on the veranda eating a BBQ an Eastern Screech Owl flew in and landed on the garden fence! Wow! We've seen it in flight each night since. More soon from a memorable trip to Corkscrew Swamp Preserve, plus more     

Sanibel, Bailey Tract, Day two - part 0ne

Another quick update from Florida. Day two, unable to sleep properly I was up and out at first light, heading back to the Bailey Tract. Here are some pics from my three tick 1.5 hour session!!
   

 

Solitary Sandpiper (another self found bird) - was distant but handily a passing US birder had a scope to provide better views



 

Killdeer - not a tick but I really like these smart little plovers

Lesser Yellowlegs 

 



Lesser Yellowlegs and Killdeer

 



Black Necked Stilt

Sora - another tick, one of two seen

 



Greater Yellowlegs - tick - conveniently with the Lesserlegs for comparison   

 



Blue Winged Teal

 



 

Northern Waterthrush still there

 

More later from an evening visit to Ding Darling and an unexpected evening visitor to our accommodation