Tag Archives: Circle B Bar Reserve

Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve – 10/26/13

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Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) by Lee at Circle B

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)

Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. (Psalms 21:13 KJV)

Had a very productive hour and 40 minute trip to Circle B Bar Reserve Saturday afternoon enjoying the Lord’s creation. The birds are definitely heading back down. After a sparse summer, things are starting to get interesting once more.

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) by Lee at Circle B

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) by Lee at Circle B

We haven’t been out there for a while and was a little disappointed in the viewing. It rained considerably this summer and the plants have really grown up making it hard to see the water birds. Even with that, to see 34 species in just under 2 hours is not bad.

Alligator about 8 ft by Lee at Circle B

Alligator about 8 ft by Lee at Circle B

We were greeted with the sounds of the Blue Jays, Carolina Wrens and an Eastern Phoebe. Also, an Armadillo was walking right along the path to the marsh. Later, I spotted about an 8 foot alligator. Those and the normal squirrels were the only, non-birds I saw.

One of the highlights was seeing five Bald Eagles flying over. Two in one group and three in the other. We had just seen an Eagle on Friday down in Lake Wales. I love seeing Eagles.

American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) by Lee at Circle B

American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) by Lee at Circle B

In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. (Psalms 44:8 KJV)

Two White Ibises landed in one of the trees when we first arrived. With the sun behind them, they remind you of Angel’s Wings. As you can see by the second photo the tree was being loaded up for the night when we passed it on the way out. That is one of the favorite “roosting” places at Circle B.

American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) by Lee at Circle B

American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) and friends

I am including a slideshow to give you an idea of how it was out there. The photography is not the best, but you can tell what the birds are at least. Dan doesn’t have his photos ready.

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Here is a list of what I reported to e-Bird:

Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk, US-FL
Oct 26, 2013 3:45 PM – 5:25 PM
Traveling – 2.5 mile(s)
Clear 79 degrees
34 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck  15
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Wood Stork  17
Anhinga  5
Great Blue Heron  7
Great Egret  6
Snowy Egret  2
Little Blue Heron  1
Tricolored Heron  1
Cattle Egret  5
White Ibis  88
Glossy Ibis  2
Black Vulture  40
Turkey Vulture  37
Osprey  2
Bald Eagle  5
Purple Gallinule  4
Common Gallinule  6
Limpkin  4
Sandhill Crane  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  2
Fish Crow  5
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1
Gray Catbird  1
Palm Warbler  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Boat-tailed Grackle  10
See:
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Birdwatching at Circle B Reserve – June 8

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Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) Preening at Circle B

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) Preening at Circle B

We took about an hour and a half to check out Circle B Bar Reserve again today. It was partly cloudy and around 81 degrees when we arrived. We managed to see or hear 31 species. Not bad. We had all that rain from Tropical Storm Andrea and thought maybe it would help bring in some birds. It was still pretty dry out there, but the weeds and growth sure had enjoyed all that rain we had.

Since most of our winter birds have left, we were happy with what we saw. Some of the delights and surprises were catching a video of a Carolina Wren singing right in front of us as we got out of the car. Was surprised to see 25 White Pelicans this time of the year. They went by in 3 squadrons.

By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. (Psalms 104:12 NKJV)

Also, finally got a photo of the Tufted Titmouse that I have heard out there but never was able to get a glimpse of. Heading back to the car, a Swallow-tailed Kite flew over. All in all it was great. Now? It has been raining for the last 5 or 6 hours. Good thing we were there early.

Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) at Circle B

Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) at Circle B

Species Count
Wood Stork 4
Anhinga 1
American White Pelican 25
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 2
Cattle Egret 10
White Ibis 2
Glossy Ibis 4
Black Vulture 20
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Swallow-tailed Kite 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Common Gallinule 5
Limpkin 2
Sandhill Crane 2
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 3
Fish Crow 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Boat-tailed Grackle 20

Update on the eye situation – I got the “All is well” for the 6-months checkup on my retina surgery and now I am scheduled June 19th to see the Eye Doctor who will do the cataract surgery. I am praying that it will be done by the end of the month. It was quite blurry out birding today.

I was using my camera as my eyes. I could tell there was something on a tree, but had no clear idea of what it was until viewed through the viewfinder and with my camera zoomed in. Hey! You do what you have to do to be able to enjoy birdwatching. And I did. The Lord let me see all of these neat birds today.

See:

Birdwatching Trips – Circle B

Wordless Birds

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Seeing Pink at Circle B Bar Reserve – Gallery

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Because the slideshow won’t allow larger photos, here are the photos for the Seeing Pink at Circle B Bar Reserve article in the Gallery format. Clicking any photo will begin an Image Gallery Carousel.

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Seeing Pink at Circle B Bar Reserve

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Pileated Woodpecker by Lee at Circle B

Pileated Woodpecker by Lee at Circle B 4-9-2013

Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:20-22 NKJV)

We spent  a short time at Circle B Bar Reserve today and thought it would be the same old-same old. Well, it wasn’t. A lady we ran into said the same thing I was thinking, “I wasn’t expecting much today.”

When we got out of the car, I spotted a bird landing in the tree nearby which turned out to be a Pileated Woodpecker. That got me excited  right away.

As soon as we turned the corner to head to the marsh, which is extremely dry because there has not had much rain all winter, I saw “Pink.”

Roseate Spoonbill Tree

Roseate Spoonbill Tree

I am putting a Slideshow here so you can see why I got so excited. It turned out to be a fantastic birdwatching adventure today. Ignore some of the blurred photos, but were inserted to help tell the story of this adventure. The Roseate Spoonbills are spotted out there, but I have never seen so many and so close as today. They kept landing on that tree as you will see and it built up until there were 15 of them in that tree.

Not only did we see the Pileated Woodpecker and the Roseate Spoonbills, but we saw quite a few others also. They are included in the slideshow also. Enjoy!

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To See these photos in a Gallery – Click Here

Other Birdwatching Trips

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Birdwatching Trip to Circle B in March 2012

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Sandhill Crane Chick at Circle B by Lee

Sandhill Crane Chick at Circle B by Lee

We had not been to Circle B recently, nor especially out to the Marsh by the windmill. Actually the windmill has lost its blades. It is a long trek out there for me, but praise the Lord, one of the workers came along with one of their vehicles and gave us a ride to the marsh. We were greeted by a group photographing Sandhill Cranes with their baby. That would have made the trip worth it alone.

Of course there were other birds awaiting our arrival. It is never boring out there. Since we had parked up by the entrance to get to the marsh, when we got out of the car and were getting our cameras and binoculars, we were greeted by the sound of a Pileated Woodpecker. When we returned, the Pileated showed off and we got some close-up shots of two of them. They were right by the pavilion and didn’t seem to mind those of us nearby.

Great Blue Heron with Catfish at Circle B by Lee - cropped

Great Blue Heron with Catfish at Circle B by Lee - cropped

Another neat observation was the Great Blue Heron that caught a fish, actually a catfish. He was out from the edge a bit, but was able to zoom in on him. Took some video of it trying to kill the fish.

It is still quite dry out there as the rains have not started yet. It has been rather dry this winter. Water levels are still low.

I am including some photos and video taken out at Circle B that day. Video has segment of Great Blue with the Catfish and a close-up of the Pileated Woodpecker. Notice how he uses his tail to support himself.

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3 NKJV)

Here is the list from e-bird for that trip. (37 species total)

6
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
2
Mallard
20
Blue-winged Teal
4
Pied-billed Grebe
5
Double-crested Cormorant
4
Anhinga
2
Great Blue Heron
1
Great Egret
1
Little Blue Heron
2
Tricolored Heron
2
Cattle Egret
7
White Ibis
5
Glossy Ibis
2
Black Vulture
4
Turkey Vulture
5
Osprey
1
Bald Eagle
1
Red-shouldered Hawk
1
American Kestrel
10
Common Gallinule
25
American Coot
3
Limpkin
3
Sandhill Crane
1
Lesser Yellowlegs
1
Laughing Gull
2
Mourning Dove
2
Red-bellied Woodpecker
2
Pileated Woodpecker
1
Blue Jay
4
Tree Swallow
1
Carolina Wren
1
Magnolia Warbler
1
Palm Warbler
1
Savannah Sparrow
1
Northern Cardinal
5
Red-winged Blackbird
10
Boat-tailed Grackle

See more Birdwatching Adventures out at Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, Florida.

Wordless Birds

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Birdwatching Adventure – Circle B Bar Reserve – 1/16/12

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Sora (Porzana carolina) by Lee at Circle B

Sora (Porzana carolina) by Lee at Circle B

Dan and I went over to Circle B Bar Reserve on Monday, January 16th. We had a great time birding and we got to view a “Life Bird.” (This one is for real.) See the photo above. “Life Birds” are what you call a bird species the first time you see one. We now have 3 life birds this year. The Sora seen here is the second one for the year. The first one was a Hooded Grebe on Saturday. and I spotted a third one today, a Redhead, at Lake Morton.

The Sora is a bird in the Rails, Crakes & Coots – Rallidae Family. They are 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm) and weigh about 1.4-4 oz (49-112 g). So they are not a large bird. I found it among the Common Gallinule and that is what help me realize that it was different and smaller. Been looking for a Sora for months out at Circle B. Knew they were there, just never found one.

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) by Lee Circle B

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) by Lee Circle B

Another highlight of our trip was finding 2 Belted Kingfishers, close-up and personal. They are hard to photograph, but this time they were showing off right in front of us. They were hovering and then diving for their food. Was great to watch them. They are in the Kingfisher – Alcedinidae Family. They are medium sized, actually we both were surprised they are as large as they are. They always appear to have a very short squatty neck. They are 11–13.8 in (28–35 cm), weigh 4.9–6 oz (140–170 g) and have a 19-22 in (48-58cm) wingspan.

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) by Lee Circle B

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) by Lee Circle B

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” (Psalms 70:4 NKJV)

We also spotted several Alligators.

Here is the list that I turned in to eBird.org:

37 species total

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 20
Mottled Duck 2
Ruddy Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Anhinga 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 15
Turkey Vulture 50
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Common Gallinule 10
American Coot 20
Sandhill Crane 6
Killdeer 1
Mourning Dove 5
Tree Swallow 30
Northern Mockingbird 1
Palm Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Boat-tailed Grackle 5

Wordless Birds

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Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve – 7/22/11

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Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalms 104:17 KJV)

I was making a video of a Tricoloered Heron out at Circle B  when I caught this interesting sight. I zoomed out to get a view of the pond and as I zoomed back in on the bird, he and I both were surprised to see what was heading toward us. The Heron decided to get his feet out of the water, go stand on a rock, and I decided to stop the video when the alligator started out of the water in my direction.

Wood Stork Tree at Circle B - 7-22-11

Wood Stork Tree at Circle B - 7-22-11 by Lee

Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalms 104:17 KJV)

Circle B Bar Reserve is always fun to bird watch. You never know what might be there. We had been somewhat disappointed in the number of birds and were heading back when I spotted the Heron. The most numerous birds out there were all the Wood Storks up in the trees. We still managed to see 21 birds on a clear, 79 degree morning. Here is a list of the birds spotted or heard.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks – 9
Great Egrets – 25+
Cattle Egrets – 5
Tricolored Heron – 3
Great Blue Herons – 3
Limpkin – 1
Double-crested Cormorants – 5
Anhingas – 2
Wood Storks – 100+
Moorhens -15+
Red-shouldered Hawk – 1
Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures, mixed – 50+
Mourning Doves – 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 1
Red-headed Woodpecker – 1
Boat-tailed Grackles – 10
Common Grackles – 5
Blue Jays 2
Uncertain Wren – heard -1
Cardinal – 2

Black-bellied Whistling Duck in Tree at Circle B by Lee

Black-bellied Whistling Duck in Tree at Circle B by Lee

When we left there, we decided to check out Saddle Creek Park since we already had our cameras and binoculars. We got there around 9:40 and it was already 86 degrees by then. Seventeen species of birds decided to let us count them. Most of the birds were the same kind we had seen at the Circle B, but we did pick up some White Ibises, a Fish Crow, Little Blue Heron and Tufted Titmouse.

Great Blue Heron Juvenile at Saddle Creek by Lee

Great Blue Heron Juvenile at Saddle Creek by Lee

That list was (in the order they were spotted); Cattle Egrets, Blue Jays, Boat-tailed Grackles, Anhinga-female, Moorhens, Great Egret, Fish Crow, Common Grackles, Great Blue Herons, White Ibises, Tricolored Heron, Great Blue Heron-juvenile, Ospreys, Little Blue Heron, Anhinga, Double-crested Cormorants, Black Vultures and the Tufted Titmouse.

Always enjoy watching God’s Creation even when they are the same ones we see often. Then again, we have lots of human friends that we enjoy visiting with over and over also.

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Birdwatching at Circle B – 4/22/11

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Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) and young by Dan's Pix

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) and young by Dan’s Pix

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 KJV)

We were finally able to find a little bit of time to go birdwatching the other day. Our adventure took us back out to the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, FL. It was a cloudless morning, around 64 degrees, when we arrived. Dan had his camera along, but I only used my binoculars. One thing nice about the Circle B is its closeness to home. With fuel prices rising, birdwatching nearer to your local areas may become more necessary.

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) by Dan's Pix

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) by Dan’s Pix

We are fortunate, because Circle B is becoming a premier birding spot here in Florida. With 1,267 acres to roam, there is plenty to see. Unfortunately, many of our “winter visiting birds” have packed their bags and gone back North. Fortunately, we still have our “residents” that keep any trip out there interesting.

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) by Dan's Pix

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) by Dan’s Pix

One of my surprises was the lack of Wood Storks this trip. Usually there are plenty of them hanging out in the trees early in the morning. Never spotted a one, yet two days later in town we spotted one flying over. They are here, but just wanted to make themselves scarce that Friday.

American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) by Dans Pix

American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) by Dans Pix

Another surprise was finding the American Bittern. We knew there were some out there, but kept missing them. This time I spotted one, whipped out my phone, and called Dan to bring his camera to my location while I kept the Bittern in view. He got one shot just as it had caught something.

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) imm by Dan's Pix

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) imm by Dan’s Pix

One of my favorite birds was an immature Little Blue Heron. When they are young, they are white instead of blue. As they mature, the become “blotchy” as the blue starts to come in. This one was right along the walk path and we were able to view it very well.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) with young

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) with young

We also found some Glossy and White Ibises, Tricolored Herons, Great Blue Heron, more Little Blue Herons, Great Egrets, a Snowy Egret, Cattle Egrets, the American Bittern, Green Heron, Limpkins, Mourning Doves, Cardinals, Tufted Titmouce, Carolina Wren and maybe a House Wren, Red-bellied, Pileated and Downy Woodpeckers, Common Gallinules, American Coots, Black-bellied Whistlers with young ones, 3 sets of Sandhill Cranes with young, Red-shouldered Hawk (light phase), Anhingas and Double-crested Cormorants, Redwing Blackbirds and Boat-tailed Grackles.

All in all it was a great morning to be out enjoying God’s Creation of birds and other critters. We also observed 4 young alligators about 2-3 feet long and a Black Racer about 4 feet long stretched out along some bushes.

See our other birdwatching trips to Circle B – Click Here

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Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve – Jan 2011

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Here is a video that I shot out at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, FL on January 18th. We went out to watch some of the 4,000 American White Pelicans land at the marsh. We got there about 4:30 pm and stayed until almost 6 pm.

I left the sound on so that you can catch the amazement in my voice. My english is terrible and my words nutty, but I was thoroughly enjoying my “birdwatching adventure.” This is what it is really like to go birdwatching with me. I get so amazed at watching God’s created critters.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalms 16:11 KJV)

I have more of these and pictures, but will save them for another time. Slower connections speeds will have enough problems loading just one video.

On the video I said about 100 feet over my head, it was more like 20-30 feet over our heads. The pelicans were landing right behind us.

They’re Back – White Pelicans

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American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) by Lee

White Pelicans on the Wing at Circle B Bar Reserve

Yesterday morning, while looking out the door at church, I noticed a flock of birds flying toward the west. They were heading in the Circle B Bar Reserve direction. One squadron after another went by and it dawned on me that it was most likely the White Pelicans. I watched them for over 15 minutes and they just kept coming.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) by Lee

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) by Lee

I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. (Psalms 102:6 KJV)

So, today, Dec. 21, 2010, we went to the Circle B to see if they really were the White Pelicans. Last year there were around 7,000 of them that spent part of their winter here with us in Florida. See – Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve – 12/23/09 in which I made a video of the numerous Pelicans that we saw then. Yep! They are back! I am sure more than 1000 of them flew over my head today as they prepared to land about a half mile from my location.

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) by Lee

Woodstork Tree at Circle B by Lee

Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalms 104:17 KJV)

I took lots of photos of them and some more video, but won’t bore you with them. We have had two hard freezes in the last few weeks that has killed or severely damaged much of the vegetation out at the Circle B. That and a lack of rain makes the place look quite drab right now. Many areas where we photograph and watch birds were sparse on numbers. Still had a great birdwatching adventure today even if it was about 40 degrees when we got there.

Wilson's Snipe at Circle B by Lee

Wilson's Snipe at Circle B

Some of the highlights were the White Pelicans, of course, but also finding a Wilson’s Snipe right beside the road and not spooking while being photographed by several people, “Wood Stork trees” (trees lined with the storks), watching a Snowy Egret working the water with its feet in search of breakfast, getting close to the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and finding a White-eyed Vireo.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) by Lee

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) by Lee

Here is a list of the 36 species of birds that we spotted today: (in order they were spotted)

Great Blue Heron 2

Morning Doves 7

Red-bellied Woodpecker 4

Blue Jay 1

American White Pelicans 1,000+

Wood Storks 100+

Eastern Kingbird

Sandhill Cranes 21

Tufted Titmouse 1

Northern Cardinal – female

Boat-tailed Grackles 15+

Wilson’s Snipe 1

Killdeer 15+

White Ibises 20+

Glossy Ibises 10+

Little Blue Heron adults and immature (white)

American Coots 100’s

Anhingas 10

Mockingbird 3

Red-shouldered Hawk 2

Tricolored Heron 1

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks 75+

Common Moorhen (or Gallinule) 20+

Blue-winged Teal 10

Mottled Duck 4

Pied-billed Grebe 2

Green Heron 1

House Wren 1

Blue-grey Gnatcatchers 5

White-eyed Vireo 1 (new catch for me)

Osprey 5

Turkey Vultures 10+

Pileated Woodpecker 1

Cattle Egret 3

Pine Warbler 1 Yellow

Myrtle Warbler 1

Here is the shorter video of the Snowy Egret stirring up breakfast. He catches something and then keeps trying for more.

Other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve

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Birdwatching at Circle B – 10/01/2010

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Circle B Bar Reserve View

Circle B Bar Reserve View on 10-1-10

Now that the weather is improving and the humidity is becoming bearable, it’s time to go birdwatching again. Actually we have been out several times in the last few week. We made a trip a few weeks ago to Fort Desoto in Pinellas County. I am still trying to figure out which birds we saw at the beach. I’ll save those birds for another blog. It was a delightful day to be out birdwatching.

This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. … God is the LORD, And He has given us light; (Psalms 118:24, 27a NKJV)

Yesterday, 10-1-10 we went to the Circle B Bar Reserve to take a look around. We only went about a mile round trip. The same birds were there, but few in number. Apparently the migrants that spend the winter haven’t arrive yet. They are just trickling in slowly. Talking to one of the volunteers out there, he agrees that the birds are behind their normal arrival.

Black Vultures Lining the tree limbs-bad shot by you get the idea

Black Vultures Lining the tree limbs-bad shot by you get the idea

We stopped by “Buzzard Beach” which is on the perimeter of the Reserve, but part of it. There were well over 100 Black Vultures lining the trees and on the ground. Unfortunately, my camera was acting up and my shots were bad.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) by Lee at Circle B Bar Reserve 10-1-10

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) by Lee at Circle B Bar Reserve 10-1-10

We started around 7:45 and birded for about 2 hours altogether. My prize of the day was the Carolina Wren. I have been hearing them on previous visits, but could not get one in my camera. Yesterday, I finally got a photo. There were two of them and with help from a friend, we both got them in view.

Little Blue Heron immature in a Tree by Dan at Circle B

Little Blue Heron immature in a Tree by Dan at Circle B

Another nice find was a Little Blue Heron that was immature and still in it’s White form. The rest of the birds we pretty much what we get most times out at the Circle B this time of the year.

At any rate, here is the list of birds I reported to eBird at http://ebird.org/content/ebird

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Anhinga
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Green Heron
White Ibis
Wood Stork
Black Vulture -100
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Purple Gallinule
Common Moorhen
Sandhill Crane
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Boat-tailed Grackle

Number of species:     31

For other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve

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Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve – 12/23/09

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White Pelicans in Flight - Circle B Bar by Dan

White Pelicans in Flight - Circle B Bar by Dan

And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, (Leviticus 11:18 KJV)

On December 23rd, Dan and I were birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve here in Polk County Florida, and what a day it was. They had just had the Christmas Bird Count a few days earlier and had counted over 7,000 American White Pelicans. See Birdwatching in Polk County – December 2009

I just got through putting together my first attempt of combining photos and video together. The videos and the photos will give you an idea of the many pelicans flying over.  They are not like Canadian Geese that squawk constantly, but were silent. What you heard was the whoosh of their wings as they flapped. Unfortunately, it didn’t come through in the video. (This is an updated video with sound of music instead of my mouth running as the 1st one was.)

I am never disappointed at the Circle B.

Here is another person’s video of the White Pelicans taken a few days later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4e0SSGyHD0

Here is the list of birds I reported to eBird for that birdwatching day.

Number of species:     43
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     50
Blue-winged Teal     2
Pied-billed Grebe     3
American White Pelican     2000
Double-crested Cormorant     50
Anhinga     45
American Bittern     1
Great Blue Heron     5
Great Egret     25
Snowy Egret     4
Little Blue Heron     1
Tricolored Heron     2
Cattle Egret     6
Green Heron     1
White Ibis     30
Glossy Ibis     30
White-faced Ibis     1
Roseate Spoonbill     15
Wood Stork     100
Black Vulture     50
Turkey Vulture     50
Osprey     4
Bald Eagle     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     1
Common Moorhen     20
American Coot     5
Sandhill Crane     1
Killdeer     6
Laughing Gull     40
Mourning Dove     1
Belted Kingfisher     3
Red-headed Woodpecker     1
Red-bellied Woodpecker     2
Pileated Woodpecker     2
Eastern Phoebe     3
Blue Jay     2
Fish Crow     10
House Wren     1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     10
Northern Mockingbird     3
Palm Warbler     5
Northern Cardinal     2
Boat-tailed Grackle     5