Florida Birdwatchers

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This is a group for birdwatchers who live in/visit Florida and enjoy viewing and photographing its birds. We can discuss our experiences here, ask questions and post photos.

Location: Florida, USA
Members: 21
Latest Activity: 9 hours ago

Discussion Forum

Bachman's Sparrow

I got this little singing dude this morning at Jennings State Forest. He was already singing in the forest when someone played his song on their iPod. The sparrow came in closer and I was able to…Continue

Tags: Sparrow, Bachmans

Started by Earline May 5.

Sad Sighting - Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 Replies

I saw my first Rose-breasted Grosbeak yesterday. Unfortunately it had died just minutes before I found it. I work near a complex of high rise buildings on the edge of the St Johns River, and the…Continue

Started by Earline. Last reply by Da Lo May 3.

Strange Bird Behavior 11 Replies

A few days ago I took a much needed break from work and grabbed my camera and gear and went out for a day of much needed bird photography. As the day progressed I observed several things, one of…Continue

Started by Laura HIggins. Last reply by Jenn Mar 7.

Favorite local birding spots and tips for viewing there 14 Replies

I figured It would be a good idea to start a discussion on this for easy reference. I'll go first... Like I mentioned on the comment wall, Turkey Creek is one of my favorite spots, located in Palm…Continue

Started by Jenn. Last reply by Laura HIggins Mar 7.

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Comment by Da Lo 9 hours ago: Well, this isn't terribly interesting I know, but I just completed my 500th (All-Time) Hernando County eBird checklist submission. I set myself the somewhat arbitrary [2012] task of doing 365 (well, 366 this leap-year) checklists and I've just finished my 361st, so tomorrow (weather permitting) I'll reach that goal too. Then, this time next week I'll be packing for my Europe trip, so no more USA birding for TEN weeks - which will feel pretty strange! Hopefully, I'll get to see some Red Kites on the trip back from London to Norwich and the Pergrine family once home. However, I'll still be checking-in with WLBs for another 7 days.

Comment by Jenn 10 hours ago: Well said! :)

Comment by Da Lo 10 hours ago: Oh right, yes, they hiss and snap and 'carry on', but then they're patio-slabs with retractable legs & necks, so I just say "come on now, don't be so silly!". Actually, that reminds me of the time I carried a hedgehog to safety (which in the UK I've done hundreds of times) and it sank its teeth into me. But I carried it to safety anyway. And then there was the mouse that I moved off the Pinellas Bike Trail that bit me... in fact, I've been bitten by lots of things, but that won't stop me!

Comment by Jenn 11 hours ago: Oh, I meant snapped at by the turtles; certainly ignore the naysayers! :D I remember clearly the first time I tried to help a snapper cross the road. I did not see that coming!

Comment by Da Lo 11 hours ago: I always stop and carry them to safety, and I get lots of weird looks, shouts and abuse, but forget 'em!

Comment by Jenn 11 hours ago: DaLo, it certainly looks like a wren... a well-camouflaged wren. :D Nice photos, by the way... what a cute little tortoise that is... would be the easiest one ever to help across the road (as I have found that many Floridians, but not so many elsewhere, are in the habit of doing). Anyone else ever been snapped at in said process? :)

SLB, it seems we have entered that part of the annual cycle where our summer birds return and we reaffirm our love for the native Florida favorites while eagerly awaiting the fall passersby... kind of a bittersweet time here. :) My resident favorites are the jays; scrub and blue.

Comment by Da Lo 12 hours ago: Here's a few pics for the group. I saw my first EVER baby tortoise (who was fine, but camera shy when I approached) and then a nice HB encounter...

Comment by SLB 23 hours ago: You call that rain? The storms down here are beyond rain.

Glad you got your little fine feathered fried ID'ed. It is so frustrating to have an unidentified bird.

Birding is quiet on this home front. And it is too hot to go too far and/or be gone too long. All I see are the same 12-15 birds.

Comment by Da Lo yesterday: Wow, nobody posted today! OK, I'll add something. Well, two things actually (one of which has nothing to do with Florida) but this does - I'm much better today, thanks! Did you all get the rain? So, two years ago I took a photo of a small brown blob and tried very hard to ID it. It was on a trip to Point Reyes, California. Anyway, I'm sure I posted on WLBs, but after searching for about an hour, I couldn't find the post or picture so forget that. However, I'm pretty sure I just figured out what it is! I think this is a Rock Wren....

So, that's one fewer mystery bird and one more lifer - maybe.