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Lately there has been a lot of talk about getting healthy again. There is plenty of room for common ground with this discussion… after all who doesn’t want to be healthy? Getting started is half of the problem. Often we place too much emphasis on how disciplined we must be, and set unrealistic goals which become more of a chore than a healthy habit.  A Common Yellowthroat visits a water source late in the afternoon.  American Redstart with an eye on a small green worm in a Wild Tamarind (Lyceloma) tree. Birdwatching has surprising health benefits, and is good for the body and soul. First it is widely accepted that getting out in the fresh air and sunshine is good for your mind, and your body benefits from absorption of Vitamin D. Birdwatchers walk a lot, but not at a fast pace, since there are breaks when you stop and listen and look for birds. The excitement of the search for birds inspires you to walk farther than you normally would. A fitness expert told me that for every 45 minutes of walking, you earn an additional day of life… longevity earned one step at a time!  Female American Redstart in a Seagrape Tree - Blue Hole, Big Pine Key. Photo by: Isabella Collamati My first bird watching experience came two-and-a-half years ago in May during Spring migration. I was helping survey for butterflies, when someone spotted a Cape May Warbler. I took a photo which I later used to confirm the identity, and learn the bird.  American Redstart blends in with the mulch. Spring and Fall are the major times for bird migration. Songbirds fly South in autumn by the millions, including many young birds, some less than three months old. Their sheer numbers are staggering, and it is a great time to get to know a vast number of birds, in both mature and immature development. The Spring migration however is more popular, as the birds have had time to develop adult plumage and work on their repertoire of songs.  A Black and White Warbler probes for insects in the roots of a fig tree. For centuries man wondered about the seasonal movements of birds. Migrating birds move at night guided by the stars, orienting themselves by landmarks and sensing the earth’s magnetic field. Basic information such as how many birds, how high they flew, and where they were going remained a mystery. The earliest researchers extrapolated numbers by viewing the sky and counting how many bird silhouettes were defined when they passed in front of the full moon.  Male Prairie Warbler. Blue Hole, Big Pine Key. Photo by: Isabella Collamati In the last 80 years, thanks to the end of World War II and the donation by the Navy of 25 radars to the National Weather Service, scientists have used weather radar to track migration. Using radar they can now “see” millions of birds cross over the Gulf of Mexico on a non-stop flight of 600 miles. For migratory birds, their life is short and full of perils. Many songbirds live less than two years and 85% of them die during migration. Our role as caretakers of this fragile planet is more important than ever before, to ensure the survival of migratory birds. They need a reliable source of food and water, and lots of it. Though migratory birds may come to bird feeders, their preferred food is found growing on native trees and plants. It is not just the fruit and seeds, but also the insects that are found amongst the leaves and branches. As I write this journal, I am sitting under the large ficus tree… just outside my door… my special place for “wildlife” inspiration.  Cape May Warbler series for insects in a Wild Tamarind tree.  Cape May Warbler series for insects in a Wild Tamarind tree. As a beginner birdwatcher, all you need to be successful is a quiet place and one bird. Add to that a pair of binoculars and a field guide, or an app on your phone like Merlin Bird ID (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) and you are well on your way. The best place to start birding is close to home. It may only be for 10 minutes at a time in your backyard or local park or nature area, but you will get to know a few birds that you see frequently. Once you are comfortable with that you can join a birdwatching group which would have knowledgeable participants familiar with good birding spots. The Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a great time to start birdwatching. Often times newcomers think they are not knowledgeable enough to participate in the CBC; this is simply not true. What is great about the CBC is that the organizers create teams of individuals having a variety of experience and skill level. There are always participants willing to teach newcomers.  It’s important to provide fresh water for migrating birds. Photo series of a Palm Warbler enjoying the benefits.  It’s important to provide fresh water for migrating birds. Photo series of a Palm Warbler enjoying the benefits.  It’s important to provide fresh water for migrating birds. Photo series of a Palm Warbler enjoying the benefits. The 125th Annual Audubon CBC in the Upper Keys will commence at Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge visitor's center located at 10750 County Road 905, Key Largo, FL. Participants will meet on December 21, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. to join up in groups divided for counting in each particular sector of the count circle.
If you are interested in joining you need to sign up ahead of the event. Contact: Suzy Roebling Email: mullet_mansion@yahoo.com
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I love the change of seasons in Florida. There’s a freshness in the breeze, accompanying a slightly lower level of temperature and humidity. It's lovely when you can go outside in the evening without hearing the whir of the mosquito fog truck. It’s healthy to leave the TV, the couch and the air-conditioning and venture outside to lay in the hammock to be entertained by mockingbird melodies from the wire above.  The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a fixture in my yard. I recognize one in particular by unusual growths above it’s beak and beside it’s right claw. The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a fixture in my yard. I recognize one in particular by unusual growths above it’s beak and beside its right claw. My friendly greeting of “what's the matter birdie... how are you today? Are you finding the food you need? Are you happy? You're a pretty bird.” accompanies my arrival. The mockingbird sits calmly on its perch observing, allowing me to get close with my camera. (The bird must be thinking “get a life.”)  American beautyberry,is an excellent food source for birds. Northern Mockingbirds are common in backyards, but they don’t often visit feeders. I see them hopping around on the ground stopping every few feet to partly spread its wings. They can be found high on a strangler fig branch, or among the branches of my mango or papaya trees, probing for ripening fruit. Though by necessity I must be more vigilant and pick the fruit before it becomes riddled with their peck marks, the mockingbird is helpful in my yard because it usually feeds on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, chinch bugs and caterpillars, as well as weed seeds.  Mockingbird perch on overhead power lines. Native plants like Simpson’s stopper, American beautyberry, wild coffee, and including fruit-bearing passion flower, wax myrtle and seagrape are excellent food sources for birds. Florida's state tree, the Sabal palm is a favorite source of fruit for mockingbirds, as are the fruits of the Washingtonian palm. From prior encounters, the mockingbird knows I am a regular in the yard, and I pose no threat to it or it’s nest. University of Florida researchers have found that mockingbirds can recognize individuals after only two 30-second encounters. On the large university campus researchers observed mockingbirds rapidly learning to assess the level of threat posed by different humans, and further enabling the bird to pick out the same individual even in a crowd. Pretty amazing! Mockingbirds have been known to dive-bomb humans who may have ventured too close to a nest, particularly during the spring. Joggers and dog-walkers beware of hit-and-run attacks to the back of the head as mockingbirds warn you to get away from their nest.  Wild coffee berries are a favorite food for birds. Both male and female mockingbirds sing. They begin singing at dawn and continue throughout the day and into evening. The males can be quite loud while singing to attract a mate, and possess impressive acrobatic skills, often leaping a few feet in the air and flapping his wings while singing.  A high perch in a wild tamarind tree. Thomas Jefferson’s favorite bird was the mockingbird because of its intelligence and ability to mimic. Jefferson kept a pet mockingbird named Dick in the White House, and boasted in his Notes on the State of Virginia that Great Britain’s birdlife had nothing to compare with this bird’s vocal abilities. From the mimic thrush family, their Latin name translates to "many-tongued thrush.” They mimic the songs of other birds, as well as different animals like frogs and squirrels, and devices such as car alarms and horns, while they repeat phrases three times per sequence. The mockingbird is widely distributed throughout Florida year-round, and is one of the best-known birds, found in urban areas, suburban areas, and parklands. For the casual observer the mockingbird is just another unremarkable bird with feathers in varying shades of white, to grey. It has a long tail and slender bill, and when in flight a broad white patch is visible on its darker grey wings. There is little coloration difference between males, females, juveniles or while mating.  Mockingbird recognizes me and sees I don’t pose a threat. The Florida Federation of Women's Clubs requested Florida schoolchildren to select a state bird; they chose the mockingbird and on April 23, 1927 the Florida legislature designated the mockingbird as the state bird, giving it protected status. According to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3, the "melody of its music has delighted the hearts of residents and visitors to Florida from the days of the rugged pioneers to the present comers.” Some argue that Florida should not share a state bird with other states. The mockingbird is also the state bird of Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Suggestions for a new state bird are all over the map, but four main contenders have emerged: the Florida scrub jay, flamingo, osprey and roseate spoonbill. May I “mockingly” suggest Florida’s state bird should be the construction crane?  The mockingbird sits calmly on its perch observing, allowing me to get close with my camera. Never will I forget the words of Jean Geddes, full-time Keys resident, fisherman and naturalist, and one never afraid to speak her mind. whom I met in the early 80’s. She said her favorite time of year was when the White Crowned Pigeons arrive and at the same time, the winter “snowbirds” depart. It is the frenetic pace of the season with the “three activities a day crowd,” plus feedings, that keeps Keys service workers and professionals in our tourism economy busy, and longing for the calmer days of the off-season. All they have to do is endure “Spring Break.”  Common Yellowthroat male with a dark mask. These birds feed on insects, and here is perched on a Giant Milkweed branch. For years I’d make note of the first White Crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala) I’d see, usually in late March or April, after they’ve flown from Central and South America, across the Gulf of Mexico. When they stop here they need water and food. Figs are high on their list… all sorts of figs, which are full of nutrition for our feathered travelers. My home is surrounded by a majority of native plants, including a large Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis.) White Crowned Pigeons also favor gumbo-limbo, blolly, poisonwood, rough strongbark, and ironwood trees.
 This year, while sitting under the fig tree and waiting, I managed to photograph my first White Crowned Pigeon. It is a challenge is to maneuver into a good clear vantage point for viewing the birds, without alerting them to your presence. I found it particularly helpful to use my Nikon 180 - 600 mm lens and stand in the shadows so I could watch without being discovered. In just a few weeks benefiting from the tips about what to look for and where to stand, I was able to get close-up photos of various birds in my yard including a Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum), Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), White-Crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala), and Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor).  White Crowned Pigeon in a Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) Figs which are a preferred fruit.  Prime viewing spot for birds is under this Banyan Tree in my yard. Some ficus, such as the Banyan tree require a lot of space for their roots to grow yet not disturb water pipes, but they are full of food for birds After all I’ve learned about finding migrating birds in the outdoors, my most unusual bird sighting was inside the home of Gail and Spike. While working on a photo project we were distracted by the flapping of a bird trying to get out. From high above on the window ledge the bird looked out and repeatedly was repelled by the clear glass barrier keeping him in. It darted up to the curtain and clung onto the fabric, probably wondering where is my branch? Confused, hungry and thirsty, this bird needed out. We called Ocean Reef’s naturalist Jeanette, who was there instantly and within a couple minutes had netted the bird. Jeanette took him out into the sunshine among the trees and flowers and butterflies and released it and as the bird flew off, I recognized that bird as the one often seen flying in pairs in the late afternoon catching mosquitos. From my photos the bird was identified as a Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica), and sure enough it feeds primarily on flying insects and it mates for life. It also likes chimneys, but it is unclear if the bird entered the house through the chimney or an open door.  After my efforts to locate migrating birds in the wild, I encounter a Chimney Swift inside a home.  The bird clung onto the drapery fabric, probably wondering where is my branch?  Ocean Reef naturalist Jeanette swiftly netted the bird and admires its beauty. The small beak is ideal for catching flying insects. It is helpful if you can identify the birds by learning their songs. The Merlin app which listens for birds can give a pretty accurate ID to aid in visual identification. Unfortunately the spring migration coincides with the departure of our snowbirds, who also have a loud call… caused by the rumble of their jet engines warming up on the nearby airport runway, which successfully drowns out any bird call.  Insects are the main source of food for the Prairie Warbler  A Palm Warbler seeks food on the ground.  A Prairie Warbler seeks insects in the Wild Tamarind Tree.  With the help of charts such as the one featured here, homeowners can improve their yards by choosing plants that will attract and nourish wildlife. From “The Florida Keys Environmental Story” article by Jim Duquesnel. "Practical bird-protection means not only preventing the destruction of birds but creating conditions which shall make the world more habitable for them. Tree planting for birds should be given especial consideration on Arbor Days"
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CAROL ELLIS
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September 2024
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