The third week in Florida started off cold with another frosty morning on Monday. Although cold it was still much better than the weather at home which featured snow, cold and wind. At least the sun was out here in Florida although the slight breeze and temps that never got out of the 50's made it less than a great day. Nonetheless I still was out and about although I still needed to stay fairly close to home to take care of Wilson. I started off the morning at Gemini Springs Park before deciding to head into Orlando with a visit to Ward Park to see if I could find a Cape May Warbler that is overwintering among a few bottlebrush trees. I found the Cape May Warbler incredibly fast and got some photos of the stunning male. This added another warbler species for the year (#13). There were other warblers around the area too and by the end of the morning (with the addition of another trip to Gemini Springs Park, this time with Wilson) I had found eight species.
It was yet another frosty morning on Tuesday and I decided to head north to Lake Woodruff NWR as I had just part of the morning free. It was a cold walk and as the breeze picked up at ties it was downright uncomfortable. I walked a variety of trails over the course of almost two and a half hours with the highlight being a continued Northern Yellow Warbler I found last week. I had half a dozen warbler species at Lake Woodruff NWR and then added three more species when I took Wilson for a walk at nearby Blue Heron Nature Park. Not a bad day considering the cool temps and the wind.
For Wednesday I had the full morning and part of the afternoon available and took advantage by getting up early and heading well south in search of a very rare in winter Swainson's Warbler. I had seen the species in the tropics before but had never seen it in the US so it was worth trying for it. It was found about a week and a half before at Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail, a small park in Vero Beach. I wanted to try for it before but the weather and other factors would not allow it. I left well before dawn and made it down there around 7AM and started looking and listening. I had a few other warblers around including my first Black throated Blue Warbler for the year as well as a banded Northern Parula. After about 45 minutes I had brief looks at the Swainson's Warbler and added a new warbler to both my US list (warbler species #50) and a new one for Florida (#28). I tried and tried to get more looks and a photo but all I managed was another fleeting glimpse as it interacted with an Ovenbird. Since I was so far south I decided to try another area nearby that featured a lot of warblers for a fellow birder. My time at Fort Drum Conservation Area was very productive with a dozen species of warblers including two rare for the area (Louisiana Waterthrush and Magnolia Warbler) as well as multiple American Redstarts and loads of Black and White Warblers. I really wish I had more time and the wind was a little lighter as I'm sure I could have turned up even more stuff. Overall for the day I had 16 species of warblers...my best day by far for the year. More on this days adventure can be found at the following link: Swainson's Warbler.
After a long drive the day before I decided to stay very local on Thursday and made trips to just the local parks (Gemini Springs Park, Thornby Park and Mariner's Cove Park). Just a half of dozen species of warblers for the day.
Friday I stayed somewhat local (within a half hour drive) and started the morning before dawn at Lake Woodruff NWR where I had the continued Northern Yellow Warbler as well as lots of Common Yellowthroats, Palm Warblers and Yellow rumped Warblers. A few Common Yellowthroats were singing which they were not doing several days ago when I was there. We then took Wilson for a walk at Gemini Springs Park and then we headed off to Blue Springs Park. Overall the day produced eight species of warblers.
Saturday found me heading southwest to Lake Apopka where I spent most of the morning. I drove the entire wildlife drive again plus birded before and after near the start of the drive at Apopka Birding Park. It was foggy to start the morning and windy at times (certainly windier than predicted). The number of warbler species was just four for the day but did include one of the Northern Yellow Warblers I have had at the location as well as large numbers of Common Yellowthroats and Palm Warblers. I attempted to find a reported Nashville Warbler in the area where the wildlife drive starts without any luck...again the wind was certainly a factor plus the area was busy with people.
To end out the final of the third week and what will likely be the warmest day for a week plus I stayed local with visits to Gemini Spring Park and Audubon Park. Once the fog burned off it warmed up quickly with highs in the mid 80's. I had a total of eight species of warblers with most early on when it was foggy so few photos for the day. The next week will be much colder if the forecast holds true.
This week was my most productive by far for overall diversity with 18 warbler species.
