Most mornings I had seen a dove flying over the house which, despite failing to get more than a fleeting glimpse of, I suspected was a White-winged Dove. Well I was determined to nail it and this morning I finally got my bins on it for a few seconds and indeed confirmed my suspicions, and better still seeing it drop down over the houses, I located it sitting in a tree on the estate where it gave excellent views.
Heading out, first port of call today was Harry P Leu Gardens, which are on the south side of Lake Rowena in NE Orlando, and which act as an urban oasis.
A good selection of birds were seen around the gardens including a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a female American Redstart, Black and White Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Tufted Titmouse, Blue-headed Vireo, House Wren, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays and a Downy Woodpecker. On Lake Rowena were a few Wood Ducks, Brown Pelican, Anhinga, Double-crested Cormorant, plus a few Turtles and a pair of Otters were seen to break the surface a few times.
Although called Orlando Wetlands Park, this excellent site is located some way (c30 miles) east of the city, near to the village of Christmas. These freshwater marshes are a haven for wildlife and provided my first sightings of both Marsh Wren and American Purple Gallinule as we walked round. A couple of Vermillion Flycatchers had wintered at the site this year but sadly had departed a week or so ago but checking out the area where they had been just in case, produced my first Common Ground Dove.
As expected the usual waterbirds as encountered elsewhere where present, but new species for the trip included adult and imm Black-crowned Night Herons and 2 American Bitterns. Then whilst watching a Limpkin I noticed a head amongst the reeds and upon getting it in the scope to see what it was I was delighted to see that it was a Least Bittern and we watched as it emerged from the reeds and proceeded to search for food amongst the vegetation.
Other birds of note seen were a few Green Herons, Wood Ducks, Wilsons Snipe, Anhinga, Savannah Sparrows, plus the usual Tricoloured, Little Blue and Great Blue Herons and Snowy, Cattle and American Great White Egrets. White and Glossy Ibis were also present and posed for photos.
Singing Northern Parula's and Cardinals were present in the trees bordering the lakes, overhead Red-shouldered Hawks, Black and Turkey Vultures, Ospreys, Wood Storks and Anhingas soared around, and this Crested Caracara was perched in the tree tops surveying its surroundings.
As usual Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles were in the reedbeds, many Blue-winged Teals and a few Shovelers graced the pools, but the star duck of the reserve was a flock of half a dozen Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.
A Swallow-tailed Kite was seen on the journey back towards home, along with a flock of Cedar Waxwings.
Finally a quick evening walk round the trails around the south side of Lake Lizzie produced a Brown-headed Nuthatch and a couple of Wild Turkeys. A Barred/Great Horned Owl was inadvertently flushed but sadly disappeared into the trees before I could get my bins on it which was obviously disappointing, but on a much happier note an Eastern Phoebe was found feeding from trees alongside a stream rounding off an excellent day.
Finally a quick evening walk round the trails around the south side of Lake Lizzie produced a Brown-headed Nuthatch and a couple of Wild Turkeys. A Barred/Great Horned Owl was inadvertently flushed but sadly disappeared into the trees before I could get my bins on it which was obviously disappointing, but on a much happier note an Eastern Phoebe was found feeding from trees alongside a stream rounding off an excellent day.
