Lou & Jan's Excellent Birding Adventures

Trip Report Southwest Florida

Date:

October 16-26 2016

Our annual October trek to the Ft. Myers/Sanibel area always rewards us with some exciting birding opportunities -- it was hot. Low tide at Ding Darling NWR often brings in exceptional numbers of waders and shorebirds. And the Bailey Tract (a separate part of Ding Darling) often coughs up some unexpected surprises -- like a georgous bright green (female) Painted Bunting, and a rather uncommon winter plumage Scarlet Tanager.

Off island in Ft. Myers we waded along the shore in the low tide wavelets of Bunche Beach, a shorebird buffet -- Piping Plover and Marbled Godwit are regular there.

The second leg of our trip was to the Orlando/Kissimmee area which is no Mickey Mouse location for us -- it was cooler. It's an easy and reliable area to get such sought after Florida specialties as Snail Kite, Limpkin, and Sandhill Cranes.

1. American Kestrel
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

2. Belted Kingfisher
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

3. Black Skimmer
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

4. Black-bellied Plover
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

5. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

6. Brown Pelican
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

7. Common Grackle
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

8. Common Ground-Dove
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

9. Double-crested Cormorant
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

10. European Starling
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

11. Fish Crow
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

12. Laughing Gull
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

13. Merlin
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

14. Northern Mockingbird
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

15. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

16. Osprey
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

17. Palm Warbler
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

18. Pileated Woodpecker
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

19. Red-bellied Woodpecker
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

20. Red-headed Woodpecker
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

21. Royal Tern
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

22. Sandwich Tern
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

23. Sharp-shinned Hawk
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

24. Snowy Egret
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

25. Tree Swallow
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

26. White Ibis
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

27. Willet
     Location:  Sanibel Lighthouse Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

28. Least Sandpiper
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

29. Little Blue Heron
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

30. Mottled Duck
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

31. Northern Cardinal
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

32. Reddish Egret
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

33. Short-billed Dowitcher
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

34. Turkey Vulture
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

35. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/16/2016

36. Anhinga
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

37. Blue Jay
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

38. Boat-tailed Grackle
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

39. Common Gallinule
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

40. Gray Catbird
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

41. Great Blue Heron
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

42. Great Egret
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

43. Green Heron
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

44. Mourning Dove
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

45. Pied-billed Grebe
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

46. Red-shouldered Hawk
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

47. Red-winged Blackbird
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

48. Tricolored Heron
     Location:  Lakes Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

49. Black-and-white Warbler
     Location:  Four Mile Cove Park
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

50. Eurasian Collared-Dove
     Location:  1775 SE 23rd Terrace--Cape Coral
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

51. Loggerhead Shrike
     Location:  1775 SE 23rd Terrace--Cape Coral
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

52. Muscovy Duck
     Location:  1775 SE 23rd Terrace--Cape Coral
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

53. Burrowing Owl
     Location:  Mohawk Pkwy & Skyline Blvd
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/17/2016

54. Bald Eagle
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

55. Blue-winged Teal
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

56. Carolina Wren
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

57. Downy Woodpecker
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

58. Eastern Phoebe
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

59. Indigo Bunting
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

60. Northern Parula
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

61. Painted Bunting
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

A stunning bright green female

62. Scarlet Tanager
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

A good find this time of year in SW Fla

63. Sora
     Location:  Bailey Tract
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

two heard calling over one another

64. Red Knot
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

65. Roseate Spoonbill
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

66. Ruddy Turnstone
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

67. Wood Stork
     Location:  Ding Darling -- Wildlife Drive
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/18/2016

68. Common Yellowthroat
     Location:  Freedom Park -- Boardwalk Side
     County: Collier  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/19/2016

69. Prairie Warbler
     Location:  Freedom Park -- Boardwalk Side
     County: Collier  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/19/2016

70. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
     Location:  Freedom Park -- Boardwalk Side
     County: Collier  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/19/2016

71. Magnificent Frigatebird
     Location:  Naples Pier
     County: Collier  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/19/2016

72. White-eyed Vireo
     Location:  Shipley Trail & Ponds
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/20/2016

73. Northern Harrier
     Location:  Bowman's Beach
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/20/2016

74. Peregrine Falcon
     Location:  Bowman's Beach
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/20/2016

75. Sanderling
     Location:  Bowman's Beach
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/20/2016

76. Black-crowned Night-Heron
     Location:  Six Mile Cypress Slough
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

77. Cattle Egret
     Location:  Six Mile Cypress Slough
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

78. Glossy Ibis
     Location:  Six Mile Cypress Slough
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

79. Pine Warbler
     Location:  Six Mile Cypress Slough
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

80. Tufted Titmouse
     Location:  Six Mile Cypress Slough
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

81. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
     Location:  Six Mile Cypress Slough
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

82. Marbled Godwit
     Location:  Bunche Beach
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

83. Piping Plover
     Location:  Bunche Beach
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

84. Semipalmated Plover
     Location:  Bunche Beach
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

85. Western Sandpiper
     Location:  Bunche Beach
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/21/2016

86. American Redstart
     Location:  Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/22/2016

87. Black Vulture
     Location:  Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/22/2016

88. Killdeer
     Location:  Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve
     County: Lee  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/22/2016

89. American Crow
     Location:  Shingle Creek -- Babb Landing
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/23/2016

90. Brown Thrasher
     Location:  Shingle Creek -- Babb Landing
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/23/2016

91. House Wren
     Location:  Shingle Creek -- Babb Landing
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/23/2016

92. American Coot
     Location:  Twin Oaks CA
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/24/2016

93. Barn Swallow
     Location:  Twin Oaks CA
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/24/2016

94. Eastern Meadowlark
     Location:  Twin Oaks CA
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/24/2016

95. Limpkin
     Location:  Twin Oaks CA
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/24/2016

96. Sandhill Crane
     Location:  Twin Oaks CA
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/24/2016

97. Snail Kite
     Location:  Twin Oaks CA
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/24/2016

98. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
     Location:  Kissimmee Lakefront Park
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/24/2016

99. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

100. Caspian Tern
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

101. Marsh Wren
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

102. Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

103. Purple Gallinule
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

104. Savannah Sparrow
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

105. Swamp Sparrow
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

106. Wilson's Snipe
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

107. Yellow-billed Cuckoo
     Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park
     County: Orange  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/25/2016

108. Red-tailed Hawk
     Location:  St. Cloud Lakefront Park
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/26/2016

109. Yellow-throated Warbler
     Location:  St. Cloud Lakefront Park
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/26/2016

110. Mallard
     Location:  pond behind Chick Fil A -- Celebration
     County: Osceola  State: FL  Country: US
     Date: 10/26/2016

Uncommon in SW Fla this time of year

NOTE: Photos are best-of-trip and thus may not be from the location where
the species was first seen.

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