Florida in Winter - January 2025
Dates: January 31 - February 8, 2025
Leader: Kevin Burke
Overall Summary
Florida has long been a wintertime retreat for humans and wildlife alike. The warm sunshine is a welcome reprieve from the cold that grips most of the rest of the country. The birds know it, too.
Many of the birds that we consider short-distance migrants winter in Florida and the Caribbean. Warblers such as Yellow-throated, Palm, and Northern Waterthrush slink around the thick underbrush of saw palmetto. Ducks, by the millions, make their way to Florida and the warm waters it provides. An added benefit of spending time on the coast is the abundant seafood we enjoyed. (Fresh grouper and snapper are not typically on the menu in North Carolina during the winter.) We also enjoyed the abundance of habitats that Florida offers. Salt marshes, pine flatwoods, prairies, and freshwater impoundments, among others, were all visited on this trip. This diversity of habitats makes for an equally impressive diversity of bird life.
We started the tour in Fort Myers. The Gulf Coast holds many of Florida's most iconic birding destinations. We visited Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area on the morning of the first full day. The pine flatwoods and prairie habitats hold mature longleaf pine trees, the preferred nesting tree of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. These pine-obligate species are considered Near Threatened due to the shrinking population of longleaf pine. Arrival at the nest trees must be before dawn, before the family group departs the area for the rest of the day to feed. We were lucky enough to witness these magnificent woodpeckers interacting with one another for a few minutes before disappearing into the depths of the forest. What a great way to start the tour! Brown-headed Nuthatches and Eastern Meadowlarks were other birds of note here.
Once we finished at Babcock/Webb, we decided to go for the long-staying Groove-billed Ani near Sarasota. Upon arriving at Shamrock Park, we quickly found the bird, along with a few Florida Scrub-Jays as an added bonus. We then headed back to the Fort Myers area and visited Harns Marsh, where we had Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Limpkins, and a very cooperative American Bittern. The evening was spent watching hundreds of waders come in to their nightly roost near the hotel at Six Mile Cypress Preserve. What a full first day!
We spent the next two days in and around the Fort Myers area. We visited J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Shorebirds, waders, and passerines use this refuge as winter feeding grounds. It was an awesome sight to behold. Highlights included Magnificent Frigatebird, Red Knot, and countless wading species. Sanibel Island, home to Ding Darling, was recently hit by two major hurricanes. The mangrove forests suffered extensive damage. The birds didn't seem to mind, but the damage to both natural and manmade structures was evident. We also got to see a few of the refuge's non-avian inhabitants, including Gopher Tortoise, American Alligator, and the invasive Green Iguana. A visit to see Burrowing Owls in Cape Coral rounded out the day.
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp was the treat of the next morning. We enjoyed the two-and-a-half-mile boardwalk through the old-growth cypress swamp. It was amazing to see such massive cypress trees all around. The birds appreciated it too. Blue-headed Vireo, Northern Parula, and the crowd-pleasing Painted Bunting were all observed here. On the way to the coast, we had a surprise flyover by a Short-tailed Hawk and stopped to watch it soar for a few minutes. We finished the day at Lovers Key State Park, where we found several Wilson's Plovers.
Today we said goodbye to Fort Myers and traveled to the Atlantic Coast. A quick early stop at Manatee Park netted a few West Indian Manatees, though not the close looks we were hoping for. Most of the rest of the day was spent making quick stops. We had excellent looks at Crested Caracara along the way. We stopped at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area and managed great views of Bachman's Sparrow. Joe Overstreet Landing did not disappoint, providing excellent views of Snail Kite, Black Skimmer, and Red-headed Woodpecker. We finished the day with the best views of Whooping Crane I have ever had. One walked in front of our car and foraged about ten feet away. Simply amazing! We capped the day with dinner at the hotel's rooftop restaurant while watching a space shuttle launch.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was our target the next morning. Two American Flamingos were our first target, and they showed well in the early morning sun. We drove around the famous Black Point Wildlife Drive, and the first pool we came upon held thousands of wading birds feeding in a massive frenzy. White Pelicans, Tricolored Herons, Snowy Egrets, and many more waders were all concentrated in one small area. We spent a long time simply in awe of the spectacle. The afternoon was spent a little farther south with stops at the Cocoa Landfill, Bennett Causeway, and Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral. Bird highlights included Long-tailed Duck, Northern Gannet, and Ruddy Turnstone. We also got to wear some very stylish safety gear at the Cocoa Landfill!
We had another full day around the Titusville area, so we decided to return to Merritt Island, this time visiting a different unit. Shiloh Marsh, on the north end of Merritt Island, is a little more remote. We walked a dike there and found American Avocets, Black Skimmers, and an awesome encounter with Northern River Otters. We then headed up to Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet, where we enjoyed prolonged views of Purple Sandpiper. We also saw a few Sandwich Terns. The entire afternoon was spent at Orlando Wetlands Park. This water treatment facility for the City of Orlando is managed for wildlife and birdwatching. The newly completed boardwalk took us right past Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, and Purple Gallinules. This is a must-visit destination when in the area.
Our last full day of this ambitious tour was another good one. We headed out to Cape Canaveral National Seashore, where the fog was very thick, but we still managed to see a couple of Florida Scrub-Jays near the entrance station. Blue Heron Wetlands was next on the schedule. This three-mile loop road is similar to Orlando Wetlands but receives fewer visitors. American Bittern, thousands of Tree Swallows, Sora, and Orange-crowned Warbler were among the highlights. The final afternoon was spent at Lake Apopka, Florida's fourth-largest lake, which features miles of drivable dikes for wildlife viewing. We drove a nine-mile section, marveling at the huge numbers of American Coots, Common Gallinules, and waterfowl found there. We also saw more American Alligators than I think any of us had ever seen before in our lives. It was a fitting way to round out the trip.
Our Florida in Winter tour is a fantastic trip. The habitats we visit are unlike any others in the country, making it a great way to escape the winter weather that grips much of the rest of the United States. From the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast, Florida offers an incredible diversity of watchable wildlife. Birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects all showcase what the state has to offer wildlife enthusiasts. This is a comprehensive tour of central Florida, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in birding and wildlife watching.
Day-by-Day Summary
January 31 – Introduction Dinner
February 1 – Babcock/Webb WMA/Shamrock Park/Harns Marsh/Six Mile Cypress Slough
February 2 – Bunche Beach/Ding Darling NWR/Estero Bay Preserve/Pelican Blvd. Baseball fields
February 3 – Audubon Corkscrew Swamp/Flint Pen Strand/Lovers Key SP
February 4 – Manatee Park/Three Lakes WMA/Joe Overstreet Landing
February 5 – Merritt Island NWR/Cocoa Landfill/Jetty Park
February 6 – Shiloh Marsh/Lighthouse Point Park/Orlando Wetlands
February 7 – Canaveral National Seashore/Blue Heron Wetlands/Lake Apopka
February 8 - Departure
Wildlife Seen:
BIRDS:
Waterfowl: Anatidae
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: Dendrocygna autumnalis
Blue-winged Teal, Spatula discors
Northern Shoveler, Spatula clypeata
Gadwall, Mareca strepera
American Wigeon, Mareca americana
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Mottled Duck, Anas fulvigula
Northern Pintail, Anas Acuta
Green-winged Teal, Anas crecca
Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris
Greater Scaup, Aythya marila
Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis
Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis
Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator
Grebes: Podicipedidae
Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus Podiceps
Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae
Rock Pigeon, Columba livia
Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerine
White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica
Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura
Cuckoos: Cuculidae
Groove-billed Ani: Crotophaga sulcirostris
Rails, Gallinules, & Coots: Rallidae
Clapper Rail, Rallus crepitans
Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola
Sora, Porzana Carolina
Common Gallinule, Gallinula galeata
American Coot, Fulica americana
Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica
Gray-headed Swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus
Limpkin: Aramidae
Limpkin, Aramus guaruana
Cranes: Gruidae
Sandhill Crane, Antigone canadensis
Whooping Crane, Grus americana
Stilts & Avocets: Recurvirostridae
Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Plovers and Lapwings: Charadriidae
Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis Squatarola
Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
Wilson’s Plover, Anarhynchus wilsonia
Purple Gallinule by: Kevin Burke
Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae
American Oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus
Sandpipers & Allies: Scolopacidae
Short-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
Wilson’s Snipe, Gallinago delicata
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularis
Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
Willet, Tringa semipalmata
Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Red Knot, Calidris canutus
Sanderling, Calidris alba
Dunlin, Calidris alpina
Purple Sandpiper, Calidris maritima
Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
Western Sandpiper, Calidris mauri
Gulls, Terns, & Skimmers: Laridae
Bonaparte’s Gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia
Laughing Gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis
American Herring Gull, Larus argentatus
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus
Black Skimmer, Rhynchops niger
Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia
Forster’s Tern, Sterna forsteri
Sandwich Tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
Royal Tern, Thalasseus maximus
Flamingos: Phoenicopteridae
American Flamingo: Phoenicopterus ruber
Loons: Gaviidae
Common Loon, Gavia immer
Storks: Ciconiidae
Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
Frigatebirds: Fregatidae
Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens
Boobies & Gannets: Sulidae
Northern Gannet, Morus bassanus
Anhinga: Anhingidae
Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga
Cormornats: Phalacrocoracidae
Double-crested Cormornat, Nannopterum auritum
Pelicans: Pelecanidae
American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occiedentalis
Ibises & Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae
Whtie Ibis, Eudocimus albus
Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Wood Stork by: Kevin Burke
Herons, Egrets, & Bitterns: Ardeidae
American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Nyctanassa violacea
Black-crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea
Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor
Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens
Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
Green Heron, Butorides virescens
Western Cattle-Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Great Egret, Ardea alba
Great Blue Heron, Ardea Herodias
New World Vultures: Cathartidae
Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura
Osprey: Pandionidae
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, Eagles, & Kites: Acciptridae
Cooper’s Hawk, Accipiter cooperii
Northern Harrier, Circus hudsonius
Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis
Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus
Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo brachyurus
Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
Owls: Strigidae
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia
Barred Owl, Strix varia
Kingfishers: Alcedinidae
Belted Kingfishers, Megaceryle alcyon
Woodpeckers: Picidae
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
Red-headed Woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus
Downy Woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Dryobates borealis
Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus
Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus
Falcons & Caracaras: Falconidae
Crested Caracara, Caracara plancus
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius
African & New World Parrots: Psittacidae
Monk Parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus
Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae
Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
Vireos, Shrike-babblers, & Erpornis: Vireonidae
Whtie-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus
Blue-headed Vireo, Vireo flavifrons
Shrikes: Laniidae
Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
Crows, Jays, & Magpies: Corvidae
Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata
Florida Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens
American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus
Tits, Chickadees, & Titmice: Paridae
Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor
Swallows: Hirundinidae
Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
Purple Martin, Progne subis
Kinglets: Regulidae
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Corthylio calendula
Nuthatches: Sittidae
Brown-headed Nuthatch: Sitta pusilla
Gnatcatchers: Polioptilidae
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea
Wrens: Troglodytidae
Northern House Wren, Troglodytes aedon
Sedge Wren, Cistothorus stellaris
Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris
Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus
Mockingbirds & Thrashers: Mimidae
Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos
Starlings: Sturnidae
European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
Thrushes & Allies: Turdidae
Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis
American Robin, Turdus migratorius
Old World Sparrows: Passeridae
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
Wagtails & Pipits: Motacillidae
American Pipit, Anthus rubescens
New World Sparrows: Passerellidae
Bachman’s Sparrow, Peucaea aestivalis
Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis
Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni
Troupials & Allies: Icteriidae
Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna
Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula
Boat-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus major
New World Warblers: Parulidae
Northern Waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis
Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia
Orange-crowned Warbler, Leiothlypis celata
Commonn Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
Northern Parula, Setophaga americana
Magnolia Warbler, Setophaga magnolia
Palm Warbler, Setophaga palmarum
Pine Warbler, Setophaga pinus
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Setophaga coronata
Yellow-throated Warbler, Setophaga dominica
Prairie Warbler, Setophaga discolor
Black-throated Green Warbler, Setophaga virens
Cardinals & Allies
Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris
MAMMALS:
Manatees: Trichechidae
West Indian Manatee, Trichechus manatus
Squirrels, Prairie Dogs, & Marmots: Sciuridae
Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis
Rabbits & Hares: Leporidae
Marsh Rabbit, Sylvilagus palustris
Eastern Cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus
Yellow-throated Warbler by: Kevin Burke
Dogs: Canidae
Coyote, Canis Latrans
Weasels: Mustelidae
Northern River Otter, Lontra canadensis
Raccoons: Procyonidae
Northern Raccoon, Procyon lotor
Dolphins: Delphinidae
Bottlenose Dolphin, Turiops truncatus
OTHER NOTABLE WILDLIFE:
Green Iguana
Gopher Tortoise
American Alligator
Green Sea Turtle