Tag Archives: Florida

Circle B Bar Reserve – Birdwatching 11/28/08

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Today my husband and I went to the Circle B Bar Reserve and here is a list of what we saw. We were there from about 9-11 am and it was clear and 54 degrees when we got there. It warmed up nicely and was a gorgeous day. My ID’s of some of these were greatly helped when we were joined by Reinier (one of the photographers I use -Wildstock) about half way through our birdwatching trip. The list below is from a report I made to ebird.

Number of species:     46
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     35
Mottled Duck     5
Blue-winged Teal     10
Ring-necked Duck     2

Black-bellied Whistling Duck and Babies

Black-bellied Whistling Duck and Babies

Pied-billed Grebe     2
Anhinga     3
American Bittern     2
Great Blue Heron     10
Great Egret     5
Snowy Egret     3
Little Blue Heron     4
Tricolored Heron     5
Cattle Egret     10
White Ibis     25
Glossy Ibis     5
Roseate Spoonbill     6
Wood Stork     25
Turkey Vulture     5
Osprey     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     1
Red-tailed Hawk     1
American Kestrel     1
Purple Gallinule     1
Common Moorhen     5
American Coot     70

Snowy Egret Reflected

Snowy Egret Reflected

Limpkin     1
Sandhill Crane     4
Killdeer     20
Greater Yellowlegs     1
Lesser Yellowlegs     2
Wilson’s Snipe     2
Ring-billed Gull     1
Mourning Dove     1
Belted Kingfisher     2
Red-bellied Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe     1
White-eyed Vireo     1
Blue Jay     1
Fish Crow     10
Tree Swallow     5
House Wren     1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     1
Northern Mockingbird     1
Pine Warbler     2
Palm Warbler     2
Boat-tailed Grackle     10

We definitely had a great time birdwatching today. Reminds me to be thankful for all the great and wonderful creation that God has created.

Psa 111:1-4 KJVR
(1) Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
(2) The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
(3) His work is honorable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth forever.
(4) He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

For other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve

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Circle B Bar Reserve – Future of Birdwatching

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Wilson's Snipe at Circle B by Dan

Wilson’s Snipe at Circle B by Dan

As many of you know, Circle B Bar Reserve is one of the premier places to bird watch here in Central Florida. I love going out there to see all the wildlife, now that it has re-opened.

I just found out that there is a effort to prevent hunting at the Circle B Bar Reserve here in Polk County, FL. I just can’t imagine that going on out there. They just built a really nice Nature Center for the Reserve. It is suppose to host classes about preserving our environment and the plants, animals and birds. Now, they want to possibly approve hunting. Please look at the following link, and then let your thoughts be known.

UPDATE – As of now the hunting has been stopped, at least until a referendum is voted on. The link below was about that debate, but I kept it there because it is a nice video about the Circle B.

Great Blue Heron at Circle B by Dan

Great Blue Heron at Circle B by Dan

Black-necked Stilt at Circle B Bar Reserve

Black-necked Stilt at Circle B Bar Reserve by Me

 

Circle B Bar Reserve Grand Re-opening

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Wood Storks

Wood Storks

Yesterday, they re-opened the Circle B Bar Reserve and had a good time birding. I didn’t get more than about a quarter mile into marsh and back, but was able to ID 37 birds in about an hour and half. We got there at 8:30 and was able to park near the marsh. It was a one day only chance to park that close. In the future, we will have to park up by the new nature center and walk from there. That will present a problem for me since I have a walking problem.

The new nature center is very nice and they have provided classrooms and exhibits. This will help make a great setting for education and training. I was very impressed with it.

Here is what I was able to observe yesterday, mostly at the marsh: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Mottled Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe , Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Cattle Egret, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Common Moorhen, American Coot, Limpkin, Sandhill Crane, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle. There were others I heard and saw that I couldn’t ID. It was not a good photography day. It was fully overcast.

Wood Stork

Wood Stork Just Landing

For other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve

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Circle B Bar Reserve Re-opening Nov 1, 2008

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Black-necked Stilt at Circle B Bar Reserve

Black-necked Stilt at Circle B Bar Reserve

I can hardly wait for the Circle B Bar Reserve to let me in to go birdwatching. Seems like forever since it closed. They opened it for a half-day in May. I have observed over 50 species in the two times we visited there. See Circle B Bar Ranch Reserve. I am including an excerpt I received today from the Bird Listing Service, “BRDBRAIN”, that I receive reports from.

After being closed for 1 1/2 years for construction of a nature center and restoration of the marsh system Circle B Bar Reserve is re-opening.

On Nov. 1, come celebrate all things natural at Water, Wings & Wild Things, Polk NatureFest 2008, in conjunction with the opening of Polk County’s Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve. Polk NatureFest 2008, which will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., is a free event featuring native Florida animals, nature-based art vendors, wildlife and plant workshops and hands-on activities — such as tree climbing, kite-making, butterflies and more! As you and your family celebrate nature, get the first glimpse of Polk County’s Nature Discovery Center which will offer a variety of nature-based activities, wildlife viewing platform, exhibits highlighting various habitats, nature workshops and guided tours of the reserve. Circle B Bar Reserve is located just off Hwy 540 between Winter Haven and Lakeland. For more information, contact Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing at (863) 534-2500 or visit www.visitcentralflorida.org.

Update Octorber 30th:
Was able to look around in the Reserve today for just a little while. I was able to observe the following birds in about 20 minutes. Blue Jay, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Osprey, Little Blue Heron, Tri-colored Heron, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Snipes, Black and Turkey Vultues, Wood Stork, Common Gallinule, Whistling Duck, Catbird plus others I couldn’t ID. We really didn’t have any gear with us, as we were just passing by and saw the gate open.

Birdwatching Trip – Lake Hollingsworth 7-29-08

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Today we went birdwatching again at Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland. From previous post, you can see we go there often. I especially like the fact that it has an asphalt walkway around the lake. Those who know me, know that after my back surgery two years ago my legs were messed up. Makes it nice to have a level place to walk. Anyway, today when Dan suggested going, I jumped at the chance. I have been so busy fixing this new website up, that I hadn’t been out birdwatching.
When we got there, I was immediately “attacked” by the local geese and ducks. They have been well trained to expect “treats” from people. With bread in hand, I could not feed them fast enough for their liking. The geese (not sure what kind) started pecking at me and pulling my clothes and nipping at me. It actually was quite comical. We all survived and went on down the walkway.
Here is what we observed: The Geese, Mallards and their families, White Ibises, Common Moorhens and their babies, Purple Gallinules and their juveniles, Pigeons, Boat-tailed Grackles, Anhingas hanging out to dry, Limpkins and three babies, Redwing Blackbirds and their juveniles, Ospreys, Great Egrets, Tri-colored Herons, a Little Blue Heron, a Tern, and some Fish Crows.
It was one of our “cooler” days with a light breeze. About 84 degrees when we started. We have been having some much-needed rain lately and the lake was up quite a bit since our last trip there.
P.S. I’ll be glad when you up north will send your birds back down to us. We miss seeing our “winter visitors.”

Hope you enjoy the photos. I was just a birdwatcher today and Dan was our photographer. So the photos are better, even though he hasn’t worked on them yet.

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Birdwatching Trip – J. N. “Ding” Darling NWR – July 15, 2008

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We went to J. N. “Ding” Darling NWR on Sanibel Island, FL. It was an overcast and sometimes rainy day, we enjoyed birdwatching anyway. Here is what we saw:
Limpkin, Reddish Egret prancing around trying to scare up a meal, White Ibis, Cardinals-male and female, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron – first up close, raccoon, Mourning Dove, Ground Doves, Blue Jays, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron, Great Egrets, Osprey, a new life bird-Magnificent Frigatebird, Double-crested Cormorants, Anhingas, Alligator, Rosette Spoonbills resting, and a Black-crowned Night-Heron. We then drove to the split between Sanibel and Captiva. There was a Great Blue Heron standing on the rocks behind a fisherman. People were walking up and taking its picture, and he didn’t move. I think he wanted that man to feed him. It must have been to windy for him to do his own fishing. The gulls and osprey were flapping hard and going nowhere in the wind. They were suspended in air.
The Lord made a great day, even though the weather could have been better (from a camera’s perspective.)

The photos in the slideshow are mostly what I took. The much better ones are Dan’s.

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Birdwatching Trip – Circle B Bar Ranch Reserve

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Eastern Meadowlark

Last Saturday, they opened Circle B Bar Ranch Reserve here in Polk County up for a 1/2 day for birders, etc. to visit. The reserve has been closed for most of the winter for renovations and won’t officially open back up until November this year. So it was a delight to get to visit the wetlands part of it. They have over 1,200 acres and is a tremendous place to bird.
We arrived at 7:30 am on a clear, calm, 75 degree morning. First thing I heard and then saw were Eastern Meadowlarks. Then the normal Redwing Blackbirds, Boat-tailed Grackles, Common Moorhens, and Cattle Egret made theirselves known. When a few Glossy Ibises flew over, I stopped to watch. Don’t see them too often. Anhingas were all around with their wings streached out or diving for food. Lots of cries were heard from upset Black-neck Stilt parents when the visitors were getting too close to their eggs (which were right along the pathway).
As I continued walking along the path by the water, I saw Great Egrets, Little Blue Herons, Double-crested Cormorants, Tricolored Herons, Great Blue Herons, White Ibises, Coots, Opreys, Sandhill Cranes, and heard a Bob White. Then off in a distance with a group of Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets were several Rosetta Spoonbills (a favorite of mine).
Down another path, a man had set up a scope that was aimed at a tree. Looking through it, I saw baby Great Blue Herons and other babies unknown to me. That was the highlight of the trip for me. Retracing my steps making about a 1 1/2 mile trip altogether, I spotted Wood Ducks, a Bald Eagle, Cardinal and some Mourniing Doves.
Before going, I had asked the Lord to help me see lots of his critters and I sure wasn’t disappointed. He helped me spot the 26 different birds in about a two hour span. Watching their behavior, I now have some more articles running around in my brain for some more “Eye of the Beholder” blogs.

For other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve

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Birdwatching Trip – Lake Hollingsworth 5/1/08

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Mama Redwing Blackbird feeding babies

Today was a beautiful day to watch birds. We went to Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, FL and spent a couple of hours checking out baby birds. It’s spring and they seemed to be every where. We saw baby Common Moorhens, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Limpkin, and my favorite some Redwing Blackbirds.

I was watching a female redwing fly up in the tree that had spanish moss hanging down, when she “disappeared” from view. I knew she hadn’t flown off, so I kept watching and found her in a nest. The nest was hidden from view even though it hung over the pathway around the lake.

When we first got there, I was feeding the local gang, when the resident geese spotted me. I watched them run about a block and them swarm me. They were right in my face. Then again, I’m not very tall (under 5 feet). I wasn’t handing out goodies fast enough so they were pulling on my slacks to get my attention. Even so, the Lord gave us a great day to enjoy his critters.

We had just gone to enjoy the day and take a few pictures, but never expected so many young birds. Here is a list of the birds seen today in the order we saw them:

Ring-billed Gulls, Geese, Boat-tailed Grackles, Mallards, Eurasean Collard Dove, Redwing Blackbirds, Common Moorhens, Purple Gallinules, Anhingas, Ibises, Ospreys, Blue Jays, Pied-billed Grebes, Tern, Cormorants, Coots, and Wood Ducks. Not bad for only walking about a third mile and back.

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Birdwatching Trip – South Lake Howard Nature Park

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Wood Ducks

We had over 5″ of rain in the last two days, so when the sun finally came back out, it was time for another trip to the park. When we got there the water way up. The center area of the pond was under water and the birds were not hanging around much. But not to despair, there is always something to behold. Drowning ants had sacrificed some to preserve the majority and had taken over a little tree standing in water. We saw a female Red-winged Blackbird with her courting male nearby.

Fishing Hole

The Bald Eagle landed on his favorite tower. We watched a Cormorant checking out the pond and saw two alligators there also. There was a male and female Wood Duck swimming around together. We also saw a Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jays, Boat-tailed Grackles, and Common Moorhens.
We crossed the road to the raised walkways and had a pleasant surprise to see a Snowy and Little Blue egret and three Tricolored Herons vying for position in the tall grasses at the edge of Lake Howard (in Winter Haven, FL). An Osprey flew over and the White Winged Doves were calling back and forth. We were heading back to cross the road and came upon a spectacular site. There were at least 5 Great Egrets, 6 Ibises, a Snowy Egret, 2 Wood Storks, and a Great Blue Heron fishing where the overflow water was coming out of a drain. Then I heard a Cardinal singing, saw 2 Common Grackles “purple morph” and the Monk Parakeets carrying-on. So, not a bad morning at all. The Lord made sure that they were being fed and so we got the blessing of watching them.

We also met a Christian there who writes poetry and he has given permission to quote some of his poetry. I hope he will write some more and post them here on the blog.

Here is a poem from his book, POETRY at its Best, Vol 1, by Kermit R. Holt.
The Snowy Egret
The egret which is known as snowy
has feathers which are very showy
Indeed, for these, it has been shot
till near extinction this bird got.
Finally before it breathed its last
for its protection laws were passed.
Its numbers gradually increased
and its existence had not ceased.
Populations haven’t grown enough
to overcome those times so tough.

Check out the Pictures taken today at:

South Lake Howard Nature Park

Birdwatching Trip to Bok Sanctuary

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On Good Friday we were at Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales, FL enjoying a beautiful cloudless day. The orange grove there was in full bloom and the aroma drifted over the whole place. We were birding, taking pictures, and appreciating God’s goodness. The birds were full of songs and they came out for us to see them. Could that have been because I asked the Lord to do just that? If He can make a donkey talk and and cause it to stop before an angel, and bring ravens to feed a prophet, surely He could answer my prayer. He did!

Here is a list of what we saw and heard: Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Mockingbirds, Brown Trashers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, a pair of American Kestrels sitting close, Fish Crows, Gray Catbird, Great Blue Heron, Black and Turkey Vultures, Osprey, and my two prize catches – a Black and White Warbler and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

We also saw a cactus in bloom.

Of course there were plenty of squirrels to put up with.