Urban Birding

Today I went birding on one of the Great Florida Birding Trails, this one right in the middle of the city. This 132 acre patch of green is wedged in between the football stadium, a major highway, and a multitude of strip clubs. Regardless, it had an amazing variety of birds and wildlife.

My mom and I started on the south end of the park and cut along the edge of a small pond. There were tons of birds -- grackles, Blue Jays, Vultures, Osprey, etc, and this Brown Thrasher, pictured above.

As we came around to the other end of the pond, and started to cross a wooden bridge, my heart jumped. Just a few yards away, and perhaps 10 feet up in a tree, there sat not one, but two Red-shouldered Hawks! They sat side by side just long enough for a couple pictures, and then one flew off.

Beyond the hawks, we followed a trail that led to a little spit of land out in the pond. There, we saw an Anhinga, standing in front of a Little Blue Heron, standing in front of a turtle (see picture).

As we came back, there were three White Ibises sitting on another wooden bridge.
We then hiked back across the parking lot, and over to the north end of the park, which proved to be even better than the south end.

Common Moorhens cruised the lake, Laughing Gulls soared over its surface, and Anhingas and Double-crested Cormorants perched on various posts. I also saw a Green Heron hunting in the lillies.

Overall, I was able to add 7 species to my year list, bringing it up to a total of 46! Definitely a fun hike.

Happy birding!