Tropical Audubon Society

South Florida’s Voice of Conservation

If you check the archives, in October 2011 we had Warbler Valhalla II caused by a tropical system to our south, and in October of 2004 west winds coupled with a cold front heading south, and the fact that 4 hurricanes left central Florida trees bare led to WVI. I've been asking when the next one would happen, since we were about due. And it happened. Yesterday Larry and I had a nice morning, and I wasn't planning on birding today so I slept in. Seeing reports of migrant activity, I decided to check the ficus tree a block from my house. It was full of warblers. I then dis some more birding in my neighborhood and at Sadowski before decided to go to A.D. Barnes.

It was noon by the time I got there but with cloudy skies the place was very birdy. I began at the Rooster Area (to your left as you enter). Didn't relocated the Golden-winged seen yesterday, but I heard then saw a male Hooded across the fend to the nature center. Raul Urgelles joined me a little later and as we tried to relocate the Hooded, he spotted a Swainson's Warbler. We later found the Hooded again. We birded the park adding more species to the day's list, and at 2:09 I got my 20th warbler species, but I still hadn't seen a Bay-breasted. Some of the better species seen were Blacburnian, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, and Magnolia Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, both Tanagers, and both buntings. But, no Philly Vireos for me today. Raul had to leave so I stayed a little longer but did not add anything new. I went home and decided to check the neighborhood fruiting ficus again. Very first bird I get on was another Chestnut-sided Warbler, then a Black-throated Green, and at last, a Bay-breasted - #21 Warbler for the day. This ties my best warbler tally for a single day. There were additional warbler species seen throughout the county today, and at last count I think a total of 26 or 27 warbler species were seen today. That's an awesome migration day for this area! I hope everyone got out and birded today.

The list:

Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Swainson’s Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler

Eastern Wood-Pewee
Swainson's Thrush
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Baltimore Oriole
Painted Bunting
indigo Bunting