by Fred Hileman
Nine eager birders kicked off the two-day event on Jan. 8 at Orlando Wetlands. It was the coldest I can remember there: steady, blizzard-like winds blew from every direction rather than intermittent gusts. Despite the weather, highlights included many Roseate Spoonbills, a Bald Eagle attended by vultures while it ate a Common Gallinule, and excellent views of a female Vermilion Flycatcher. We tallied 39 species. After a brief rest at our residences, we met for dinner at Dixie Crossroads.
Friday, Jan. 9, warmed gradually and proved to be a superb day of birding. Under the bridge we found Scaup and six Loons. Ducks were plentiful—Blue- and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Mottled and Northern Pintail—along with Hooded Mergansers. Other standout sightings included Black Skimmers, Wilson’s Snipes, American Avocet, Yellow- and Black-crowned Night-Herons, a Reddish Egret, and numerous egrets and herons. The day finished with a total of 68 species.
A few participants stayed over and joined Jim and Eileen for a walk at Sams House on Merritt Island. The morning was slow until the final stretch, which produced Painted Bunting, Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos, Black-and-white Warbler, Pine Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler — a lovely finish to the event.