Birds
Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
- ☆March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN☆. Seen at the hawk watch site.
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL. Possible
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
- ☆March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN☆. According to a fellow Audubon member, one of these birds flew overhead while we were watching from the top of the hill at Indiana Dunes. I was unable to discern any identifying features, but I am trusting the expertise of my fellow birder.
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus arctolegus
- ☆July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA☆.
Agelaius phoeniceus floridanus
- ☆October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL☆.
Agelaius phoeniceus meernsi
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, FL☆.
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
- ☆May 14, 1994: South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN☆. Flushed a pair out of hiding from a stream on St. Mary’s property. I also had a really close up look at a male Woodie who was apparently helping a female mallard raise her chicks at one of the Notre Dame lakes. Interesting behavior, I don’t know if the chicks were his or if he was just helping out.
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Mottled Duck
Anas fulvigula fulvigula
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆. About the time I was finishing up with my journal, two women who were obviously birding came by and we struck up a conversation. One of them (Chris) was an ornithologist and they invited me to wander through the refuge with them for a little while. This lone bird was swimming in the large pond near the entrance to the canal trails. I would not have been able to identify it on my own, but Chris had no problem with it.
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
- May 14, 1994: South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Anhinga
Anhinga anhinga leucogaster
- ☆October 1, 1994: Royal Palm Beach, FL☆. While on a walk in the neighborhood where I was staying, I saw my first of these birds, a female, stretching her wings on a fence by the 130st Street canal in Royal Palm. Subsequently, I saw them all over the place in Florida and came to enjoy them greatly.
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL. Certainly my closest encounter with one of these exquisite birds happened today. After walking the trails a while, I decided to sit down and write in my journal. I noticed a male Anhinga sunning himself on a branch very near the bench I was heading towards. I figured he would leave as soon as I got there, but he didn’t. He stayed right where he was – about 10 feet away from where I was sitting – the entire time I was there. Awesome!
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
- ☆September 18, 1994: St. Lucie, FL☆. Spotted a couple of these impressive birds in the highway median while driving from Orlando to West Palm. I would like a closer look someday!
Limpkin
Aramus guarauna pictus
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆. One of my favorite sightings of the day also happened early in the morning, when I saw a small flock of Limpkin across the lake. These large birds seemed pretty shy . . . later in the day, when I came back around to this location, they were gone, and I never saw others. They’re very unusual in appearance, and look like gigantic shorebirds. I enjoyed seeing these fairly uncommon birds.
Great Egret
Ardea alba egretta
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias herodias
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Ardea herodias wardi
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres morinella
- December 5, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL
- December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL. These little guys were not shy, and came very close to me as I sat in the sand.
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus flammeus
- ☆March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN☆. Saw this bird near the beach, perched on a post near the beginning of the scrub/sand dunes. It perched for several minutes, allowing us to view with the spotting scope, then flew in circles above us for several more minutes before moving on. What a perfect sighting of a really striking and attractive bird!
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
- ☆March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN☆. Saw several of these swimming in the Marina.
Redhead
Aythya americana
- ☆March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN☆. Saw several swimming in the Marina at Indiana Dunes.
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
- ☆January 2, 1994: South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Sanctuary, IN☆. Saw several of these beautiful birds in a berry-producing tree in one of the neighborhoods we birded. Beautiful!
- May 14, 1994: South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN. Saw a large flock of these wonderful birds on the island in one of the Notre Dame lakes.
- May 21, 1994: Pleasant Valley, Osceola, IN. While working on my computer with the window open, I heard strange, high-pitched noises. Looking out, I discovered that the nest box tree was filled with a flock of these beautiful birds!
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis maxima
- May 14, 1994: South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN. Saw LOTS of these in family groups with adults and juveniles.
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Western Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis ibis
- ☆September 15, 1994: Florida☆. I began seeing flocks of these as soon as I crossed over into Florida, and they became more plentiful as I continued south. I saw thousands of these during the months I spent in Florida.
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- December 5, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis borealis
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus extimus
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆.
- October 23, 1994: Okeechobee, FL. In the morning, I decided to go on a birdwalk. Unfortunately, I did not keep a list of all the birds I saw. I do remember this hawk, however, who was calling incessantly from a stand of nearby trees. It took me the longest time to spot him/her, but after that I’ve had no trouble recognizing that distinctive call.
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL. These are abundant in Florida.
Green Heron
Butorides virescens virescens
- October 4, 1994: Royal Palm Beach, FL. Spotted these in the backyard on a few different occasions as they were fishing in the small ponds that had formed due to the rain.
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Sanderling
Calidris alba rubida
- December 5, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL. Today I sat in a flock of Sanderlings on the beach, as I have on other occasions. They don’t seem to mind my presence at all. Many times, they would come within about two feet of me as they ran up and back along the shoreline, just above the waterline, foraging for food. Very cute!
- December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL As usual, these little guys came very close.
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura septentrionalis
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
- September 14, 1994: Stone Mountain Park, DeKalb County, GA. Saw lots of these soaring in the sky above Stone Mountain.
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
- December 5, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL
Chimney Swift
Chaetura pelagica
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus vociferus
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius
- ☆October 20, 1994 Everglades, Broward County, FL☆. Another ID by Chris. I didn’t really get a close look at this one.
Black-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus erythropthalmus
- ☆May 14, 1994 South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN☆. Although I didn’t keep records of this trip, I clearly remember my first cuckoo – in a tree at the edge of the clearing we were walking through. It must have been a juvenile, because I remember the red eye.
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus auratus
- ☆December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL☆.
Colaptes auratus luteus
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
- ☆July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA☆. Heard several of these birds in various areas of the park. I called to them, and got a number of responses. I did try to get a glimpse of one and called and followed the response for quite a while, but each time they would get quiet as soon as I came too near, and I was unable to see any of them.
Rock Dove
Columba livia
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Contopus virens
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
- ☆November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, FL☆. Upon my arrival in the parking lot, I noticed an entire tree full of these large birds between the parking lot and the sand dunes. I was able to get fairly close before they became nervous and flew away. I got a really great look. Maybe it’s weird, but I really enjoy vultures, and these are cute!
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL. Had a close encounter with some Black Vultures as I walked along the Loxahatchee River. I climbed up a hill near a large tree and startled them out of their roosting place.
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
- January 2, 1994: South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Sanctuary, IN
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Cyanocitta cristata semplei
- ☆November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL☆
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL
- December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens pubescens/medianus
- January 2, 1994: South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Sanctuary, IN
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
- ☆October 4, 1994: Royal Palm Beach, FL☆. Spotted my first one of these lovelies while driving through Royal Palm. It was foraging in the front yard of someone’s home. A beautiful bird!
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL. Spotted among the abundant wildlife in the refuge. These herons are also not particularly shy. I got plenty of good, close looks and learned to differentiate them from the tricoloreds. Abundant throughout southern Florida.
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula thula
- October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor ruficollis
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆. I saw these beautiful birds for the first time. I was amazed at how calm they were about my presence. Generally, they did not move along when I came by – they just continued about their business. Really pretty birds.
American White Ibis
Eudocimus albus albus
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆. Saw my first of these today – a flock of several birds flying overhead. Later, saw several adult and juveniles foraging across the lake from the trails. Very exotic-looking and pretty.
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Merlin
Falco columbarius
- ☆October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL☆. Saw two Merlin while air boating through the Phase 3 Area (northern section). ID by Chris.
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus anatum
- October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL. ID by Chris, spotted this bird over the glades. Didn’t get a really close look, however.
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL. Spotted one of these guys in a tree in the parking lot.
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
- December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL
Falco sparverius sparverius
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Magnificent Frigatebird
Fregata magnificens rothschildi
- ☆November 28, 1994 Jupiter, Palm Beach, FL☆. I saw one of these birds from the balcony of the convention center where I was working that day. A very striking silhouette, sharp lines, very distinctive. A gorgeous bird!
- December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL. North and east of the Marine Life Center, in a grassy dune, there is a lookout tower, from which I spotted a pair of Magnificent Frigatebirds. Their name certainly does them justice!
American Coot
Fulica americana americana
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata cachinnans
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆. I saw abundant adults and juvenile moorhens here, and later at other Everglades parks.
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas campicola
- ☆July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA☆.
Geothlypis trichas ignota
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆.
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus
- ☆December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL☆. The first bird spotted on the day. I arrived at 8:30, and as I was driving through the park to the nature trails, I saw this beautiful bird perched in a tree at the side of the road. I stopped the car and viewed her from about 30 feet. The image of that eagle is still so clear in my mind . . . the misty, hazy day . . . all the colors of the forest brown and gray, muted . . . and then the striking form of the eagle sitting so still and regal in that tree. I will never forget this sighting! A wonderful start to the day.
Haliaeetus leucocephalus washingtoniensis
- ☆July 25, 1994: Effigy Mounds National Monument, Allamakee, IA☆. Had a wonderful view of one of these magnificent birds while hiking along a trail at the top of a cliff overlooking the Mississippi River. I spotted the eagle flying over the water and watched as it landed on an island in the river and began to eat the meal it had captured. I believe it was earlier this same day that I’d seen another bald eagle, as I was approaching the “Mighty” Mississippi River on the highway, the river came into view and a bald eagle soared in front of me. It was a gorgeous, memorable moment of both river and bird.
Common Loon
Gavia immer
- May 15: Niles, Berrien County, MI☆. Saw a lone bird out in the middle of the lake a Lake Michigan College, first thing in the morning.
- May 15: Niles, Berrien County, MI. Saw my second loon of the day on Lake Michigan, St. Joseph, in a huge flock of gulls and terns.
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica erythrogaster
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
- ☆July 24, 1994 DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA☆.
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius spurius
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Loggerhead Shrike
Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus
- September 16, 1994: Orlando, Orange County, FL. Saw one of these attractive birds from what appeared to be its regular perch next to the pond behind the house.
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinus
- ☆March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN☆. Saw a lone bird in amongst other gulls on the beach at Lake Michigan. I probably would not have been able to ID this bird on my own, but Audubon field trip guide Ken Brock is very reliable!
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla megalopterus
- ☆December 5, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL☆. I sat in flocks of these at the beach. Plenty of time to scour the books and get a positive ID!
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
- June 18, 1994: Michigan City, IN. During a Summer Solstice celebration, a Screech Owl flew into the tree above our campfire and began calling noisily for several minutes before flying away again. It was a wonderful moment, although I still have not been able to get a glimpse of one of these birds.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
- January 2, 1994: South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Sanctuary, IN
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
- September 14, 1994: Stone Mountain Park, DeKalb County, GA. While driving through Georgia on my way to Florida, I saw a few of these gorgeous birds – just glimpses. Still no significant sighting.
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
- ☆July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA☆. Saw a family of these interesting birds – adults and several juveniles – as they crossed a dirt road in front of me within the park. I got out of my car and was able to few them for a couple of minutes before they moved into the woods.
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
- ☆March 26, 1994: Indiana Dunes, Porter County, IN☆. Saw a number of these birds on Long Lake.
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos polyglottos
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆. Plenty of mockingbirds here.
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL I can’t believe how many Mockingbirds there are in Florida (and California). I am lucky to see three or four a year in Indiana, and some years I see none. I guess they prefer the warm weather!
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater ater
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Wood Stork
Mycteria americana
- ☆November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, FL☆. From the boardwalk across Lake Worth Cove, I spotted a few flying near the beach.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea violacea
- ☆October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL☆. This bird spotted and ID by Chris. Didn’t get a very good look, but I’m sure the ID is good.
Western Osprey
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis
- October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL. I always love seeing these birds!
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL. Saw LOTS of Osprey hunting over Lake Worth Cove – at least 10 birds, maybe more. Wonderful!
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
California Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis
- November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL. 5 birds seen.
- December 5, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL. I love to watch these birds fly in formation. They fly in low over the tops of the dunes, looking very serious. They remind me of Secret Service agents, or maybe Mafia hitmen on a mission.
Ring-necked Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA. Saw a family of these large birds crossing the road and moving into the woods.
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆. Another beautiful bird. I saw several of these in the wetlands, as well.
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
- December 5, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL. Although seen in winter plumage, I trust this sighting because of the time of year – the Lesser Golden Plover should have been long gone to South America.
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps podiceps
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
- January 2, 1994: South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Sanctuary, IN
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Polioptila caerulea caerulea
- September 16, 1994: Orlando, Orange County, FL. Saw the first of many of these that I would see during my stay in Florida. I soon got so I could easily recognize their call. I always enjoy this adorable little bird.
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL
Boat-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus major westoni
- ☆September 16, 1994: Orlando, Orange County, FL☆. I saw my first Boat-tailed Grackles immediately upon arrival in Florida. These birds are very abundant and found in large numbers all over the place, including parking lots (and housing developments). They are beautiful, and I especially enjoy the plumage on the females.
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL
- October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula versicolor
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Myrtle Warbler
Setophaga coronata coronata
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Palm Warbler
Setophaga palmarum hypochrysea
- ☆October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL☆. Saw a pair in the middle of the path along the canals. It took me a while to figure out this sprightly character, but I eventually realized that it was NOT a sparrow after all, but a warbler. Then that little tail wagging helped me to be certain of the identification of this winter-plumaged bird. Very cute!
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis sialis
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
- ☆April 16, 1994 Potato Creek State Park, St. Joseph County, IN☆. Spotted one out on Worster Lake while on an Audubon field trip originating from the cemetery. Not too close, but the differences between this bird and the Mallard were noticeable.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis tristis
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Dickcissel
Spiza americana
- ☆July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA☆. I heard these birds, several of them singing in the tops of small trees near the nature center. They were easy to spot and did not seem disturbed by my presence. Very charming!
Field Sparrow
Spizella pusilla
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis serripennis
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Forster’s Tern
Sterna forsteri
- ☆December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL☆. Described as “small terns – black eye “stripe” (more of an oval-shaped patch). Orange bills with black at the top and tip. Orange legs. No visible crest. No black on the back of the neck.” I’d say I did a pretty good job of observing these terns – my ID seems to hold up as I scrutinize the field guide!
Barred Owl
Strix varia
- October 23, 1994: Okeechobee County, FL. After the bonfire as I was returning to my tent after midnight, I heard two Barred Owls talking back and forth with one another. It was eerie and beautiful to hear them in the dark like that.
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
Cabot’s Tern
Thalasseus acuflavidus acuflavidus
- ☆December 5, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL☆. I watched several of these charming birds hunt along the surf line, and later sat amidst a mixed flock that included these birds. That black beak with the yellow tip makes them hard to miss (and easy to ID).
- December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL. I wrote extensive notes about these terns – I was serious about identifying them, and did not bring a field guide with me that day (on purpose – to force me to be more observant about the details). I have these listed as “smaller terns with a black crest and black beaks, yellow on the tip of beak. All together, on the beach that day I saw about four dozen terns.
Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
- ☆December 28, 1994: Juno Beach, Palm Beach, FL☆. Spotted while I was sitting in the midst of a mixed flock of terns and gulls. Many of these birds ventured quite close to me. Described in my notes as “large terns, about half of the size of a gull. Speckled gray foreheads with black crest. BRIGHT orange beaks and black legs. Black dot in front of the eye.”
House Wren
Troglodytes aedon parkmanii
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
American Robin
Turdus migratorius migratorius
- December 1, 1994: J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL. I am amazed at the huge flocks of Robins I have seen in Florida. Hundreds of birds together. They just don’t do that in Indiana.
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura carolinensis
- July 24, 1994: DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA
Other Wildlife
American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
- September 16, 1994: Orlando, Orange County, FL. I saw my first Alligator on my extended stay in Florida in the pond behind Deb and OD’s condo. I named it Sparky, because it sparked my interest in Florida. I LOVE Alligators! They are fascinating, and so CUTE!
- October 13, 1994: Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach, FL. l saw lots and lots of alligators on this trip, including several juveniles, some only about 8 inches long. (SO ADORABLE)! On the other end of the spectrum, I also heard a LARGE adult roar (fortunately, he was calling from within one of the swampy areas, not right beside the path where I was walking). lmpressive!
- October 20, 1994: Everglades, Broward County, FL. Saw LOTS of alligators during this excursion.
Nine-banded Armadillo
Dasypus novemcinctus
- December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL. I caught a glimpse of this little friend as it was moving through some bushes very near the path. I only got a short look, but the animal was quite close.
Gopher Tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus
- ☆October 10, 1994: Roadways in Florida☆. Date uncertain. During my extended stay in Florida, I know that saw a couple of Gopher Tortoises as they crossed the road (including one that seemed in enough danger that I hopped out of my car to give it a hand).
North American Otter
Lontra canadensis
- ☆December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL☆. After hiking the trails, I walked onto the dock on the Loxahatchee River, where I spotted an otter munching on a piece of vegetation right below me. Darling!
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
- ☆December 8, 1994: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Martin, FL☆. I watched two deer swim across the Loxahatchee River. While I’d seen deer at other times in my life, I’m going to consider this my first confirmed sighting, certainly of white-tailed deer. So pretty.
Golden Silk Spider
Trichonephila clavipes
- ☆November 29, 1994: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach, FL☆. Several of these, gorgeous huge spiders had constructed webs across the path that led into the wooded nature trail.