Bit of a twitch today when the location of a pair of wintering Whooping Cranes filtered through onto the local forum, so off we headed to try and located them in fields a few miles to the north of Lake Apopka. Arriving on site they were immediately located feeding in a bare field, and although they were naturally part of the reintroduction scheme they were still very nice to see. Both were banded and at least one had a transmitter attached to its leg.
With the cranes successfully located in quick time, we decided to head off to Emeralda Marsh which is situated along the north-east side of Lake Griffin. Arriving at the site I was having a quick scan of the bushes around the car park when I noticed a tiny bird alight on a branch of a nearby tree. I assumed it was going to be a wren sp. but on raising my bins I was shocked but elated that it was infact a Ruby-throated Hummingbird!
Whilst it was on my most wanted list I didn't really expect to see one, and certainly didn't expect just to find one like this. It quickly flew off behind the trees and after not appearing again for a while, we went off for a walk along the trail, during which time we saw the first Carolina Wren of the trip, but happily upon our return about an hour later it again reappeared on the very same branch and gave great views, and was undoubtedly one of the major highlights of the trip.
We then drove along the main track towards the marsh seeing an Eastern Phoebe feeding along the trackside stream on the way and then parked up at a marshy pool by a bridge. On the pool I found at least 5 American Purple Gallinules feeding along the edge of the reeds, and whilst most only briefly broke cover, one gave more prolonged views and allowed a few pics to be taken.
A Marsh Wren was seen in the reeds by the bridge, and a Red-winged Blackbird alighted on the overhead wires and gave a great display.
Further into the marsh, two female Ring-necked Ducks, the only ones of the trip, were seen amongst a large group of American Coots, along with a few Blue-winged Teals. Northern Parulas and Cardinals were singing from the trackside trees and Savannah Sparrows skulked in the vegetation. As usual Tricolored, Great and Little Blue Herons, Snowy, Cattle and American Great White Egrets and Glossy and White Ibis graced the marshes. The now daily Swallow-tailed Kite was seen overhead, along with the now familiar Red-shouldered Hawks and Black and Turkey Vultures. A few Northern Harriers were also present over the marshes but none came close enough to get anything more than a record shot like the one below, but it still shows the hooded appearance well.
Later another visit to the south side of East Lake Toho produced Swamp Sparrow, Purple Martins, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule and White-winged Dove along with the resident Snail Kites and all the usual marsh birds.
