Central Florida Birding, 4/6/2013

Northern Parula

This morning my son had a 9am appointment in Sanford, and I had a work obligation in Orlando at 2pm.  Not wanting to risk something going wrong, I decided to stay local and bird my way from Sanford to Orlando. I first went to Spring Hammock Preserve, hoping for a Prothonotary Warbler and Northern Waterthrush.  I succeeded with the latter but not with the former.  The place was also loaded with Northern Parula and Red-eyed Vireos; I heard both frequently all long the trail. On the way back I came across a butterfly that I later identified as a Hackberry Emperor.

Hackberry Emperor

From there I went to Central Winds park, hoping for a Prothonotary Warbler. No luck there, and in fact, there wasn't much at all to speak of there, but there was a Lesser Scaup by the shore of Lake Jesup.  Most of the rest of the ducks have moved on; I'm not sure why this one has stayed so long.

Lesser Scaup

From there I drove down to Mead Gardens, which has been quite a hot spot for migrants the last few days.  I found one American Redstart, which I was hoping to find, but I think I was more excited to see a Rat Snake climbing a tree by the pavilion.  There's also a family of four Barred Owls here, and I've seen both parents before this year, but today I had my first look at the two fledglings.  They're still pretty adorable.

Barred Owl

Rat Snake