Field Trip Report, October 13, 2018

It was slightly overcast, but cool by Florida standards. We had a total of eight participants. Before we started our venture, there appeared a Pileated Woodpecker landing on a branch right out in the open, giving us some good photo opportunities.

We started our walk down the Ancient Oaks Preserve Trail. It was quiet at first. The little song birds seemed to be hiding, but as we continued, some of the little ones made their presence high up in the trees, delighting the participants.

At Citrus Hammock Preserve, we manage to see a few wading birds and an alligator swimming sneakily on the water. While we were there, we had more small song bird activity including Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and a Downy Woodpecker. The woodpecker was not bothered by our presence giving us more photo opportunities. Also spotted, was an unidentified Buteo species that looked very much like a Broad-winged Hawk soaring way up. He was gone before we could get a photo. It was a very nice and enjoyable day.

Thanks to Linda for sharing the awesome photos. See below for a complete list of bird species.

Check out ebird.org - Explore Data - Explore Hotspots -Weldon B Lewis/Ancient Oaks Preserve and Citrus Hammock Preserve.