Florida - She Flew Birding Tours

SOUTH FLORIDA SPECIALTIES

Florida spring bird watching offers many advantages. Many birds found in the Caribbean and subtropical regions can be found in isolated populations in Florida. These restricted range species will be our targets for this Florida Specialties Tour! This time of year the breeders have already established territories and in some cases, nests. They are in their finest plumage and singing. The mild climate, mid 70’s and sunny skies, provide a nice thawing out from the winter cold.

Florida Scrub Jay

Bring your camera as the boardwalks, swamps and wetlands will provide fantastic opportunities for up-close viewing of waders and other terrific birds. There is nothing like seeing a Wood Stork landing in the mangrove just 10 feet from you! Birding the hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods should provide a stunning list of late wintering and early migrants including warblers and vireos. There is usually at least one special out of place bird in this area that we will try to find. And finally, we’ll also keep an eye to the sky for Eagles, Hawks and Frigatebirds.

Mangrove Cuckoo

Plan on visiting a stunning list of premier birding destinations on our trip. The first, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, is contained within a 35 mile long barrier island right along the Atlantic Flyway. Many birds call this area home both throughout the year and as a wintering ground. The Canaveral National Seashore is also part of this amazing ecosystem. The shore will provide miles of quiet sandy beaches and a healty dune to look out to sea. Both were established as a buffer zone to the John F. Kennedy Space Center. This region is also home to one of three larger populations of the Florida Scrub-Jay. We will spend a whole day exploring this phenomenal habitat.

South Florida is a destination in itself with 250 bird species seen in the last several years. It boasts as a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere and a Wetland of International Importance. We will spend most of the day birding in this large wetland just south of Homestead. We will target isolated hammocks, pine flatwoods, and riparian edges along canals. The saltmarsh, estuaries, sea shore and the river of grass will be enjoyable to search for our target species. May of these can be accessed via boardwalks and elevated areas.

We should expect to identify 180-200 bird species on this trip. With the great spring weather, easy terrain, moderately paced days and good accommodations, this trip is a must for every birder and photographer.

ITINERARY

Sandhill Cranes

DAY 1 – Orlando to Lake Apopka Wetlands

Noon pickup from the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Staying in the Orlando area, we will take a drive around the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive for some whistling ducks and other goodies. This diamond in the rough features flooded fields, lake edge, and ponds of various depths. Our time here will get our trip off to a great start. Target here include Black-bellied and Fulvous Whistling Ducks, and just about any water bird found in Florida.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

DAY 2 – Pine Flatwoods

Our big day starts by heading south into the heart of the Lake Wales Ridge. The sandy soil provides excellent habitat for the beautiful pine flatwoods of central Florida. This fire dependent habitat is home to Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, and Brown-headed Nuthatch. Crested Caracara should be sitting in fields along the way today. Joe Overstreet landing gives another chance for Snail Kites and other specialties in the area. The day ends near Merritt Island where we start the next morning.

DAY 3 – Merritt Island and Canaveral National Seashore

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore provide miles and miles of outstanding birding. We will spend the morning exploring this rich habitat by birding the Black Point Wildlife Drive, Indian River Lagoon, Florida Scrub, and Playalinda Beach. Our targets include Florida Scrub-Jay, King and Clapper Rails, Sedge

Reddish Egret

Wren, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, and Swamp Sparrow. After our drive south, our evening birding destination is at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands.

Gray-headed Swamphen

This is an excellent spot to take photos up close of nesting birds. Wood Storks, Anhingas, herons, egrets, and Gray-headed Swamphens won’t disappoint. Overnight in Lantana.

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Day 4, 5 and 6 – The Southeast coast and northern Keys

The birding spots in this part of Florida are numerous with exciting birds around every corner. Our list of birds in this area is expansive. However, we’ll focus on White-crowned Pigeon, Common Myna, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Spot-breasted Oriole, Scaly-breasted Munia, both Bronzed and Shiny Cowbirds, White-tailed and Swallow-tailed Kite, Monk Parakeet, Mitered Parakeet, Cave Swallow, Magnificent Frigatebird, and Seaside Sparrow. Many other possibilites await in this area including shorebirds, migrating warblers, and possibily a rare bird sticking around from the winter.

DAY 7 – Fill in the trip list

We have several options this day. First choice, chase a rare bird somewhere in the central or southern part of the state. Some of the birds that have shown up during the spring over the last several years are Zenaida Dove, Eurasian Wigeon, White-cheeked Pintail, Common Eider, American Flamingo, Key West Quail-Dove, Thick-billed Vireo, Black-faced Grassquit, Purple Sandpiper, La Sagra’s, and Fork-tailed Flycatcher. Second option, bird our way up the gulf coast as we head towards Orlando. No worries, we’ll have plenty of really great birding spots to explore.