Bird Board
Buff-bellied Hummingbird - Yes... also Bay-breasted Warbler @ Castello Jan 5
I went to Castello today to try and get a good photo of the Buff-bellied. I arrived at 8:00 am and heard the bird many times but was unable to see the bird for the first couple of hours. I finally put my eyes on the bird a few times but it wouldn't slow down enough for a photo. I took a couple of photos of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds practicing for the Buff-bellied. To my surprise I saw a Bay-breasted Warbler. I'm confident in my ID. I've seen many, but never in January. I finally got a couple of shots of the Buff-bellied but he was very uncooperative. Moving too fast for my Big Lens and when it perched it did so deep in cover except for one or two times. I hope someone else will look for the Bay Breasted. I only saw it once in the Chinese Hat plant... I may go back in a few days and give both birds another try.
By the Way it's not too late to start Bird A Day. http://birdaday.net
Comments
Has a Bay-breasted been documented in Florida in winter before?
Are there still painted buntings coming to feeders at Castellow? Long ago, before hurricane Andrew, there were.
There a very few reports of Bay-breasted Warbler in Florida, but none has ever been verified by photo or specimen evidence.
Whoever chases the Buff-bellied should really try to photo the warbler; it's more rare than the hummingbird!
Best regards,
Bill Pranty
Bayonet Point, Florida
I looked for the Bay-breasted Warbler there today--I did not see it. The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is still there.
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