Six Mile Cypress Slough: Last Days Of Summer

Six Mile Cypress Cypress Slough Preserve has the potential to offer an extremely rewarding wildlife experience.

The Tufted Titmouse above (image 1) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

It all depends on some important factors including a lot of luck in the timing of your visit. I made two sunrise visits to the slough this week in hopes of observing warblers passing through.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above (image 2) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

The Black-and-white Warbler above (image 3) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

The Black-and-white Warbler above (image 4) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

The day before my efforts, local birder and photographer Meg Rousher tallied an astounding 41 species of birds in the parking lot and along the boardwalk at the preserve. Some of the best birders in southwest Florida would be seen making observations along the boardwalk in the ensuing days.

The Black-and-white Warbler above (image 5) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

The White-eyed Vireo above (image 6) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

The White-eyed Vireo above (image 7) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

While my observations at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve were limited, highlights included a Bald Eagle in close pursuit of a White Ibis flying over the tree canopy at Otter Pond as well as a glimpse of a Blue-winged Warbler high in the canopy at Pop Ash Pond.

The Black-and-white Warbler above (image 8) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

The Black-and-white Warbler above (image 9) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 10) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

It was a challenge to capture most of the images presented in this post. The birds were simply not cooperative for a photo-op.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 11) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

The Anhinga above (image 12) was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2015.

Location of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve: 26.570567, -81.827562

A Noisy Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

Birding reports this week from the Tampa Bay area not too far to the north have been offering exciting finds of migrating birds including a Red-necked Phalarope at Siesta Key.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

It would be especially exciting to find that species closer to home here in the Fort Myers area. If the bird lingers, I will certainly make the drive to attempt to see it as it would be a lifer. The phalarope's previously reported sighting in Florida was in the panhandle last year as I recall.

The Blue Jay above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

With a desire to not travel extensively and make observations in the shade, I made a trip to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve on 10 September. This is a wonderful place to observe wildlife along an extensive boardwalk although the drone of vehicular traffic can readily be heard.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

On this visit to the boardwalk it was hoped to encounter some warbler activity. Absent an abundance of warblers, I chased a Red-shouldered Hawk that was harassed by a small flock of Blue Jays and Tufted Titmouse. With the hawk chased by them, it was interesting to later observe a RSHA chase a Black Vulture from its perch.

The scene above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The scene above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

There were only three species of bird seen at eye level or below this day. Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal, and a Louisiana Waterthrush. I didn't actually see the latter, but saw Tom Obrock and Ed Combs point at the bird as it flew from east to west near Pop Ash Pond.

The Viceroy butterfly above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

Tom had immediately identified the unseen bird by ear as Louisiana Waterthrush. So that was the best bird of the day, and I missed it visually by attempting to get a better angle on the bird as it approached closer to us.

The Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The scene above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

I nonetheless enjoyed its melodious call. It reminds me that there were calls from wildlife which were heard frequently. Most of the birds that could be found were very high in the canopy of the trees. The drumming of a Pileated Woodpecker could be heard at a great distance.

The Gulf Fritillary butterfly above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The alligator above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The water level at the slough appeared to be dropping as indicated by the "stains" on the tree trunks. The water was also noted to be moving rapidly to the south where it will ultimately find its way into the Estero Bay Estuary.

The alligator above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a spectacular venue which Tom had noted he was visiting for the fourth day in a row in search of migrants. He informed me that the action along the boardwalk was from his perspective slim this week.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Preserve in September 2014.

The wildlife at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve was more readily heard than seen with three trips made along the boardwalk on a very enjoyable morning nonetheless.

Sanibel Lighthouse And Six Mile Slough

Two morning visits were made to Sanibel Island Lighthouse, and one morning visit to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve 16-18 September 2013 with accounts and selected images included in this article.

The sunrise above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The first visit to Sanibel Lighthouse led to a search for migratory birds which have a tendency to gravitate to this venue at times. I would spend several hours in search of them with observation of two warblers that were fleetingly seen. The first didn't allow for an image to be taken as it was deep in the foliage of a Gumbo Limbo tree.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

I got a shot of a second warbler, but the image was too blurry to identify the species (Palm Warbler, I think). Both visits to the lighthouse offered significant clouds to the east with the rising sun diffusing the light which was a boon and a bust for photography.

The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

Swallows have been thinning in numbers these past weeks while Eastern Kingbird were seen in the greatest numbers overall on my two visits to Sanibel. The second visit to the island was a complete bust for warbler action, but I never had high hopes for good observations as the prevailing winds have been easterly.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The female Green Darner above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

With migratory birds typically making their moves over long distances nocturnally, they may nonetheless be impacted by weather events. A strong southerly wind might keep the birds down ideally at this time of year as the birds head south. This has thus far not happened this migratory season (with large numbers of warblers seen) anywhere in Florida that I am aware of.

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

I am curious to know if warblers stay in flight for days at a time. While there are two primary websites that utilize satellite technology to track birds, the site I favor is with more attention on action in Florida that can be seen at Badbirdz Reloaded (best viewed beginning from late February and late July). At the lighthouse I also observed Fish Crow with an interesting food item. Please speculate what it may be.

The Green Heron above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Purple Martin above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The scene above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Barn Swallow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Eurasian Collared-Dove above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

Following the visits to the Lighthouse, I made a few hours of observations at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve on the 18th of September. It was a treat to again meet Walt Winton, Bird Patrol guide and expert birder, who guided me to a Worm-eating Warbler which allowed for my first observation and photography of the species. Walt had a total of nine warbler species under his belt along the slough's boardwalk this day.

The Eurasian Collared-Dove above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The critter above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

It was enjoyable to observe a Prothonotary Warbler, another lifer, that was seemingly deaf, or extremely tolerant as maintenance of the boardwalk was rid of its debris by a noisy leaf blower. It was at the Prothonotary's location that I met Lee and Sharon visiting from Dixie County. They made the comment that the water level at the Preserve appeared high which they were pleased with.

The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.

The Prothonotary Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Prothonotary Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Prothonotary Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

I have never seen the water level so high as it has been at the Slough. The boardwalk is close to being inundated. At the time of this publication heavy rains appear to have abated, at least temporarily. The water level at the Six Mile Cypress Slough may rise further without rainfall as the water from the north "sheets" toward lower ground to the south.

The Eastern Wood-Pewee above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Blue Jay above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Tufted Titmouse above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Sanibel Lighthouse can be great for local southwest Florida migratory activity at this time of year. Newly observed species personally photographed for the first time and presented this week include Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Worm-eating Warbler.

The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

The Worm-eating Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.

In a report by Vince McGrath on 26 September 2013, he describes it as "Lighthouse time!!!!"

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.