Farewell Harns Marsh Preserve And SW Florida

My likely last visit to Harns Marsh Preserve in Lehigh Acres, Florida, occurred in late October when I met up with Canadian wildlife photographer Frank Constantin.

The primarily Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 1) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The weather was favorable with the grass well groomed and 39 species of bird observed in the ensuing two hours after sunrise during our stay. A good number of Purple Gallinule were present among a Gray-headed Swamphen continuing this day with a snipe an unexpected bonus.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 2) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The immature Black-crowned Night-Heron above (image 3) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 4) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Purple Gallinule above (image 5) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 6) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 7) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 8) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

After a number of failed observations of Snail Kite at Harns, a male and female were observed in and over the marsh. A possible third individual of the species was seen perched while closely reviewing an image of a flock of grackles in flight.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 9) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 10) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 11) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Gray-headed Swamphen above (image 12) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 13) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 14) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 15) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 16) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The time at this extraordinary wildlife venue in southwest Florida passed much too quickly with a regrettable need to ready my departure from paradise. It was, however, especially good to see some of the venue's signature species.

The American Coot above (image 17) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 18) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 19) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Turkey Vulture above (image 20) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Snowy Egret above (image 21) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Little Blue Heron above (image 22) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Great Blue Heron above (image 23) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Limpkin above (image 24) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

Though under the weather at the moment, stay tuned for new adventures in Connecticut along the northern shores of Long Island Sound and beyond.

The Anhinga with prey above (image 25) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Purple Gallinule above (image 26) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Wilson's Snipe above (image 27) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

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The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 28) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

13th Annual Sanibel Lighthouse Hawk Watch

The Sanibel Lighthouse Hawk Watch with Vince McGrath has been an anticipated event for a number of years prior to leaving the state of Florida for what you might not believe a move of mine to the great white north.

The Osprey above (image 1) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

As crazy as it may sound I have become acclimated to observing birds again in a northern clime where I would have to travel many miles in Florida to see these species, if at all.

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above (image 2) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The American Kestrel above (image 3) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

Vince's Hawk Watch was a few days later this year than last with weather conditions that appeared favorable for observations. The wind was from the northeast as I recall with it ideally from the northwest to funnel the raptors over Sanibel.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk above (image 4) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk above (image 5) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

A Merlin was an early raptor seen during the 16 Oct 2016 Hawk Watch. It was much too quick for me to photograph as it flew from the west and over San Carlos Bay. Swallows were present as well throughout the morning, but did not appear to outnumber those seen last year.

The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above (image 6) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The American Kestrel above (image 7) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

While the 2016 Hawk Watch was in conflict with the Ding Darling Nation Wildlife Refuge's annual Ding Darling Days, there was still good participation at the hawk event where I met with friends and acquaintances for hopefully not the last time.

The American Kestrel above (image 8) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The dog above (image 9) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

A highlight for most at the Lighthouse was the observation of an immature Red-headed Woodpecker. Vince noted this species' presence on nearby Cape Coral with it a very rare sighting on Sanibel.

The Peregrine Falcon above (image 10) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The Peregrine Falcon above (image 11) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The appearance of a Sharp-shinned Hawk, with the male of the species typically the smallest hawk seen in the United States, was the highlight for me while observing and photographing the species for the first time.

The Cliff Swallow above (image 12) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The Chimney Swift above (image 13) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

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The Gopher Tortoise above (image 14) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

South to North

Thank you for your interest in this blog.

The juvenile Black Scoter above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

There will be a brief suspension of its publication during a long distance move with future reports from southern New England and beyond anticipated to be presented randomly. A pair of latent posts from Florida are expected as well.

A Week In Siesta Key Overlooking Sarasota Bay

"Siesta Casa Coram Deo" was the home rented for a vacation with family this past week in Siesta Key, Florida.

The scene above (image 1) was photographed at Siesta Key in September 2016.

The house had great accommodations with stunning views of Sarasota Bay and downtown Sarasota. Observed over the bay throughout the week were countless Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, White Ibis, Mourning Dove, a dozen or so unidentified crow species, a few Anhinga, a few Osprey, a few Little Blue Heron, four Black Skimmer, a pair of Great Blue Heron, a Tricolored Heron, and a Pied-billed Grebe. Incidentally observed in the trees were Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Tufted Titmouse, and a Yellow Warbler seen early and late in the week. Nanday Parakeet were heard on one occasion. Late in the week a Red-shouldered Hawk briefly landed on one of the boat pilings. A pair of Bald Eagle were also observed overhead on another day. Siesta Key Beach and Lido Beach offered good numbers of the expected shore and wading birds as well. A round at the highly recommended Buffalo Creek Golf Course in Palmetto added a Wood Stork, dozens of Black Vultures and notably more Nanday Parakeets. All this was without being preoccupied with birding with the exception of confirming the Yellow Warblers with binoculars.

The scene above (image 2) was photographed at Siesta Key in September 2016.

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Feature: Sawgrass Lake Park Pt. II

Back at the main parking area at Sawgrass Lake Park, Tom Obrock and I chose to follow the birders seen earlier.

The Summer Tanager above (image 1) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

We would learn that the trees along the entrance to the park had warblers dripping off of them in preceding days. That was not so apparent initially, but waves of warblers did eventually pass through with the Cerulean Warbler making a reappearance. A Canada Warbler would make an appearance days later.

The Summer Tanager with prey above (image 2) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Black-and-white Warbler above (image 3) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Yellow Warbler above (image 4) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Yellow Warbler above (image 5) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The size of Sawgrass Lake Park is ambiguous as its acreage is noted as 333, 390, and 400 acres at various websites while doing research for this article. In any event there are lakes, the Red Maple swamp, canals, wetlands, fields, and Live Oak Hammock that encompass the park.

The Yellow Warbler above (image 6) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Little Blue Heron above (image 7) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above (image 8) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above (image 9) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

Wildlife seen other than birds included the spider previously noted, a pair of Florida Softshell Turtles (Tom guesstimated the larger one at 60 years of age), numerous Eastern Gray Squirrels, a large skink, dragonflies, butterflies, aggressive mosquitoes in one small patch of the park, and Yellow Jacket wasps (benefiting a Summer Tanager as seen in image #2) that were stirred up by a fellow birder.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above (image 10) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Blackburnian Warbler above (image 11) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above (image 12) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above (image 13) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

As of this writing there have been 215 bird species documented at Sawgrass Lake Park according to eBird data. JoAnna Clayton, a St. Petersburg Audubon Chapter volunteer, makes routine visits and racks up impressive eBird checklists at this park and other venues in the Tampa Bay area.

The Downy Woodpecker above (image 14) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above (image 15) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Northern Parula above (image 16) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Limpkin above (image 17) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

In an effort to improve our list, we made another trek to the observation tower. On the way back we met up with several other birders observing a good number of birds near the bridge that accesses the boardwalk.

The Common Gallinule above (image 18) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Regal Darner Dragonfly above (image 19) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 20) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 21) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

I found the boardwalk to be very slippery, but its width possibly as wide or wider than the boardwalk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary made up for that concern. The occasional passerby did not shake the boardwalk as much as occurs at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and other boardwalk venues I've been to.

The Anhinga above (image 22) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 23) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The scene above (image 24) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Hooded Warbler above (image 25) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

Of the hundreds of venues on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, Sawgrass Lake Park in the West Section should be considered one of the must visit Florida parks especially during migration. Be sure to bring your camera and binoculars if you have them.

The American Redstart above (image 26) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Blackburnian Warbler above (image 27) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

Sawgrass Lake Park is open from 7:00am until sunset. It is closed the day after Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas Day. From the north on I-275 take exit 26 or from the south take exit 26B and follow signs to the park.

The Yellow Warbler above (image 28) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

The Limpkin above (image 29) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

There is a lot of shade available at the park with a fortunate breeze making the five hours of my initial visit pass very quickly. A follow-up visit on my part to explore the Maple and Oak Hammock Trails is in order.

The Common Gallinule above (image 30) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

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The Downy Woodpecker above (image 31) was photographed at Sawgrass Lake Park in September 2016.

Please also see Feature: Sawgrass Lake Park Part I