Florida Keys Specialty At Bunche Beach

Upon my arrival to Bunche Beach Preserve on 26 May 2013 in search of an elusive bird species to me yet to be observed, I saw a car parked on John Morris Road exactly where expected.


The Mangrove Cuckoo above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in May 2013.

Although it had been five days since Vince McGrath's observation this season of a "Florida Keys specialty" in the Mangrove Cuckoo here in Fort Myers, the species lingered. I got out of the car to speak with an amiable fellow who commented to me that I was five minutes too late. He advised me that the cuckoo was indeed present and he had gotten photos to prove it.


The Mangrove Cuckoo above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in May 2013.


The Mangrove Cuckoo above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in May 2013.


The Mourning Dove above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Mourning Dove above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

I had timed my visit to Bunche Beach Preserve to take advantage of better light for photography along the well manicured mangroves along their edges and interior that allow stunning possibilities. After a brief stop at the beach, the initial observer of the cuckoo this day chose to leave for home (Sanibel Island he said).


The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

As I heard the call of the species while we were talking, I chose to devote some time with an attempt to see the Mangrove Cuckoo for the first time personally. It would not be until an hour later, after my observations of a Red-winged Blackbird that must have been nesting nearby as it feigned the broken wink technique in the middle of the road, that I caught a glimpse of the rarity.


The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

Visual observation of the cuckoo was similar to the description made by my earlier acquaintance who described the bird as behaving like a squirrel foraging in the trees. Quickly moving and unpredictable for sure. While I had a rewarding 15 minutes observing the highly interesting bird, a second of the species was not seen.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

It was my hope to return to attempt to observe the species again on 3 June when I was able, but chose to forgo the trip due to overcast conditions. My next opportunity to attempt an observation was 9 June. I arrived at Bunche Beach Preserve again this day to find Mourning Doves abundant along John Morris Road, but there was no Mangrove Cuckoo after well over an hour searching for it.


The Roseate Spoonbill with Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The immature Snowy Egret with Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

I had the pleasure of seeing Wes Dirks at the Preserve this trip. Upon his arrival I was photographing an accommodating Mourning Dove close to the parking area. I was amazed that as I was so preoccupied in photographing the perched bird that I was unaware of what it appeared to be mourning.


The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

Possibly the Mourning Dove's mate made movement on the road indicating survival after apparently hit by a car. A regretful fate. After making one more attempt for the cuckoo, I disappointingly made my way to the beach. Wes was already making his way from the west channel and advised me of some nice wading bird activity noting a few Roseate Spoonbills present.


The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Great Egret with Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

I thought the spoonbill's presence unusual so late in the morning on a weekend day, so I headed that way. Upon arrival a mix of about 50 birds were feeding in the shallows with a rising tide near the channel. Perfect conditions for them, and amazingly undisturbed by all the visitors to the Preserve already doing their thing of primarily fishing.


The immature White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The scene above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

Be sure to note the behavior of the opportunistic Snowy Egret. The Snowy Egret is the only wading bird I know of from my observations that is not harassed by the even more opportunistic Laughing Gull. The Laughing Gull was the only gull species observed this day and was observed in few numbers.


The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

While I have made countless attempts to get a good image of an Osprey with a fish at this venue, I was at a loss again with the bird flying nearly directly over me. I noted that the dredging activity at the east channel may be completed with the heavy machinery no longer seen. I will be sure to investigate what has changed there and notify you when I can.


The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

Ranger Hammond with Lee County Parks and Recreation was met while I was leaving the Preserve. He advised me of the authority's awareness of dogs on the beach which are not permitted. Very interestingly he told of his belief that he had identified Coyote tracks at Bunche Beach Preserve. I have yet to see the predator there.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

The dredging work at the east channel appears to have been completed as the heavy machinery is no longer present.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.