TRIP REPORT – SEABOARD GRADE – April 11, 2023

PRAS enjoys returning to Cecil Webb WMA again and again. For our April Walkabout we checked out the Lake Road, followed by Seaboard Grade. First we saw a flock of about 25 Laughing Gulls circling overhead as we waited for folks to gather in the parking lot. That was a surprise as they were so far inland. Then on the road along the lake we were happy to find a family of Sandhill Cranes….with one little one scrambling between legs, and a Northern Flicker low in the grass. We headed to Seaboard but stopped along Tucker’s Grade where we saw Dave.L birding, and he had just seen a Red-headed Woodpecker. While we were searching for it, a Swallow-tailed Kite flew close overhead, always a favorite of the group and such a nice start to our adventure. When we got to Seaboard Grade, we walked both north and south, checking off about 40 species in all. A Bald Eagle flew over the marsh, and a Black-crowned Night Heron flew back and forth across the road. We saw several Great Crested Flycatchers and the Downy and Red-bellied rounded out our woodpecker list. Another surprise was a Merlin. To view the list of birds we saw go to: https://ebird.org/caribbean/checklist/S133426965

Next time join us, as it is so rewarding to go birding with friends in such a special habitat.

Photos by PRAS President, Bren Curtis.

Photo of a Sandhill Crane chick by Barbara Segal

TRIP REPORT – SEABOARD GRADE – April 11, 2023

PRAS enjoys returning to Cecil Webb WMA again and again. For our April Walkabout we checked out the Lake Road, followed by Seaboard Grade. First we saw a flock of about 25 Laughing Gulls circling overhead as we waited for folks to gather in the parking lot. That was a surprise as they were so far inland. Then on the road along the lake we were happy to find a family of Sandhill Cranes….with one little one scrambling between legs, and a Northern Flicker low in the grass. We headed to Seaboard but stopped along Tucker’s Grade where we saw Dave.L birding, and he had just seen a Red-headed Woodpecker. While we were searching for it, a Swallow-tailed Kite flew close overhead, always a favorite of the group and such a nice start to our adventure. When we got to Seaboard Grade, we walked both north and south, checking off about 40 species in all. A Bald Eagle flew over the marsh, and a Black-crowned Night Heron flew back and forth across the road. We saw several Great Crested Flycatchers and the Downy and Red-bellied rounded out our woodpecker list. Another surprise was a Merlin. To view the list of birds we saw go to: https://ebird.org/caribbean/checklist/S133426965

Next time join us, as it is so rewarding to go birding with friends in such a special habitat.

Photos by PRAS President, Bren Curtis.

Photos by PRAS President, Bren Curtis.

Photo of a Sandhill Crane chick by Barbara Segal

TRIP REPORT – FORT DESOTO – April 15, 2023

On April 15th, 10 of us traveled to Fort DeSoto to see if we could catch some of the migrating species in their spring migration. The passerine count was fairly low as there were no NW winds in the preceding days. Overall, we had a good day with 58 species seen or heard (blue jay and great crested flycatcher heard only). The best aspect of the trip was the waterbirds seen. Please see the list (Ft De Soto Sat, April 15). Best spots for waterbirds were on the turn around past the East Beach picnic area, and the far end of the North Beach parking lot. To get to this latter spot (if you missed the trip), go to the end of the road and turn left onto the North Beach parking lot, go to the far end of the lot and park near to the beach at its most northern end. You’ll need to cross a shallow waterway walking north sticking to the edge of the water towards all the anchored pleasure boats. There’s a shallow bar holding several hundred shorebirds of all types including all 5 plover species, godwits, gulls, terns, ruddy turnstones, red knots, dunlins, reddish, snowy, great egrets, etc. We were there at a dropping tide, so it may or may not be there. A great chance to see man y of our local and migrating shorebirds. BY TRIP LEADER MIKE KRZYKOWSKI