January 4, 1995
Lake Okeechobee, multiple counties (Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach and Hendry), Florida
All day; 65°, overcast

Stops along my route

Knowing that I’d be leaving Florida soon and wanting to make the most of my remaining time here, I spent a day circumambulating the lake, stopping anywhere that looked promising. I started by driving north from West Palm and approaching the lake from the east, then up and around the northern end, down the west side, and around the southern end. Spoiler alert: I saw a LOT of birds.

My first stop: DuPuis State Forest. I arrived just as the sun came up over the treetops to see a strange landscape with lots of toppled and mangled trees. The area seemed to be recovering from burns and timber harvesting, and who knows what else. My first bird of the day was a Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus), then a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), and a Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens). Apparently the woodpeckers don’t mind the state of Du Pois forest, since there were plenty of them around. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) were also present, along with a vocal Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) who I heard, but was unable to spot. I watched an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) who flushed out an owl. Unfortunately, even though I spent some time trying to locate where the bird had landed, I was unable to find it again, but am calling it a Barred Owl (Strix varia) based on size.

My next stop was Parrott-Wayside Park (now Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area) at the north end of the lake. There was an old fishing pier which stretched out a ways into the lake, and then went parallel to the shore (T-shaped). Although was a sign said not to use the pier, there was a fisherman out there, so I decided to take my chances. From this vantage point, I saw a number of Double-crested Cormorants(Phalacrocorax auritus). On my way back, I did step on some loose boards, and a section on the end sank right into the water, getting my feet wet up past my ankles. So, I spent the rest of the day with soggy feet, but I’d been getting used to that after birding places like Jonathon Dickinson. I saw plenty of American Coots (Fulica americana) here, and a Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata).

I returned to my car, hoping to use the heater to warm up my wet feet for a few minutes. For a change of scenery, I drove down the parking lot a little ways, and found myself next to a HUGE flock of Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger), between 200 and 300 birds. I’d only ever seen single individuals before, so it was magnificent to see this many in one place. They’re very cute! There were also loads of other birds at this site, including: Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major), American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis), Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica), Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis).

Before I left the parking lot, I also saw a small flock of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) for the first time, close enough to be easily identified by me. I also spotted a yellowlegs foraging along the shore. Several minutes of studying this bird was necessary in order to positively ID it as a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca), based on size and hearing the vocalization.

At my next stop, Okee-Tantie Recreation Area, I finally got to see some Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) up close. A small flock of them were hunting in a marshy grass area next to the parking lot, separated from me by a small wooden fence. An impressive bird, close up (although not particularly attractive). I also saw my first Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) of the day at this stop.

Wood Storks © Rich Hoeg

While driving along the western side of the lake, I saw several birds, including a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), and Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus). I also saw an American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) while driving around the lake.

A pair of Common Ground Doves (Columbina passerina) were found at Indian Prairie Canal, and I was able to get close enough for a good look before they flew away. Handsome birds with distinctive red coloration. I also heard an Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) near the canal.

Common Ground Dove © Judd Patterson

Harney Pond Canal, my next stop, is fantastic! A lookout boardwalk gives a wonderful view of the lake and marshes that edge it, and the boardwalk is surrounded by a wooded area simply bursting with activity! While up on the lookout, I met a nice couple from Ohio who took this picture of me (and sent it to me later). Here, I saw Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), and Snowy Egret (Egretta thula). I saw River Otter (Lutra canadensis) here, as well.

At the Army Corps of Engineers dam, I finally spotted some Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus), and in Clewiston I saw some Eastern Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis). Around this time, some point south of the lake, I stopped in a small town at a K-mart to buy myself a dry pair of shoes, some little white Keds. Finally, on the way home, I spotted a hawk which was almost certainly a Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus). I had hoped for a Crested Caracara today, and had no luck there. Still, on the whole a very satisfying – if tiring – day, and not a bad species count for one spotter in one day.

Lake Okeechobee © Alanna L Lecher

Species List

Du Pois State Forest

• Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus) My first bird of the day was this Flicker.
• Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) Spotted at Du Pois State Forest.
• Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens pubescens) Apparently the woodpeckers don’t mind the state of Du Pois forest – plenty of them around!
• Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis floridanus) Also spotted one at Harney Pond Canal.
• Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos polyglottos) Du Pois State Forest.
• Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus extimus) (H) Heard, but unable to spot.
• American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Also spotted one at Harney Pond Canal.
• Barred Owl (Strix varia)

Parrott-Wayside Park (now Cliff J. Betts Recreation Area)

• Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum floridanum) My next stop was Parrott-Wayside Park at the north end of the lake. There was an old fishing pier which stretched out a ways into the lake, and then went parallel to the shore (T-shaped). Although there was a sign which said not to use the pier, there was a fisherman out there, so I decided to take my chances. Saw a number of comorants from this vantage point.
• American Coot (Fulica americana americana) On my way back from the pier, I did step on some loose boards, and a section on the end just sank right into the water – getting me wet up past my ankles! So, I spent the rest of the day with soggy feet, but I’d been getting used to that after birding places like Jonathon Dickinson. There were plenty of coots at this site.
• Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata cachinnans) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger niger) I got back into my car; hoping to use the heater to warm up my wet feet. I drove down the parking lot a little ways, and found myself next to a HUGE flock of skimmers – between 200 and 300 birds. I’d only ever seen individuals before, and it was magnificent to see this many in one place! Very cute!
• Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major westoni) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
• Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga leucogaster) Of course, these guys (and gals) are all over the place in Florida!
• Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura septentrionalis) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos pascuus) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Snowy Egret (Egretta thula thula) Also at Harney Pond Canal.
• Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla megalopterus) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps podiceps) At Parrot-Wayside Park.
• White Ibis (Eudocimus albus albus) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Herring Gull (Larus argentatus smithsonianus) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias wardi) Also spotted at Harney Pond Canal.
• Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus vociferus) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor ruficollis) Saw another on at Harney Pond Canal.
• Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis ibis) At Parrott-Wayside Park.
• Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) Before I left the parking lot at Parrot-Wayside Park, I also saw a small flock of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) for the first time, close enough to be easily identified by me.
• Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) I spotted this bird foraging along the shore at the Parrot-Wayside Park. Several minutes of studying this bird was necessary in order to get a positive ID, based on size and hearing him/her vocalize.
• Okee-Tantie Recreation Area
• Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Next stop; Okee-Tantie Recreation Area, where I finally got to see Wood Storks up close. A small flock of them were hunting in a marshy grass area next to the parking lot, separated from me by a small wooden fence. An impressive bird, close up. Although not necessarily very attractive!
• Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) Saw my first of the day at Okee-Tantie.

Driving (West side of lake)

• Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) I spotted numerous species while driving along the western side of the lake, including this Kingfisher.
• Great Egret (Ardea alba egretta) Spotted while driving.
• Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus) Spotted while driving.
• Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus extimus) Saw while driving.
• Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus) Spotted while driving.
• American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Saw an alligator while driving around the lake.

Indian Prairie Canal

• Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina passerina) Made a stop at Indian Prairie Canal, where I spotted this pair. I was able to get close enough for a good look before they flew away. Handsome birds! Distinctive red coloration.
• Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna argutula) Heard this bird singing near Indian Prairie Canal.

Harney Pond Canal

• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) I saw this lovely bird at Harney Pond Canal, which is a wonderful spot. A lookout boardwalk gives a wonderful view of the lake and marshes which edge it, and the boardwalk is also surrounded by a wooded area simply bursting with activity! While up on the lookout, I met a nice couple from Ohio who took a picture of me (and sent it to me later)!
• Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Harney Pond Canal.
• Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis floridanus) Also spotted one at Harney Pond Canal.
• American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Also spotted one at Harney Pond Canal.
• Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias wardi) Also spotted at Harney Pond Canal.
• Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor ruficollis) Saw another on at Harney Pond Canal.
• Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Harney Pond Canal
• Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Harney Pond Canal.
• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea caerulea) Harney Pond Canal
• North American Otter (Lontra canadensis) Saw an otter in the Harney Pond Canal.
• Snowy Egret (Egretta thula thula) Also at Harney Pond Canal.

Army Corps of Engineers dam

• Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) I finally spotted some of these guys at the Army Corps Dam.
• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) Sighted several of these in Clewiston. At some point south of the lake, I stopped in a small town at a K-mart to buy myself a dry pair of shoes – those little white Ked-type things. Now I’m never without a pair (although those original Florida ones are long gone).
• Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) While driving, I spotted a hawk which was almost certainly a harrier. I had hoped for a Crested Caracara today and had no luck there. Still, on the whole a very satisfying – if tiring – day. Not a bad species count for one spotter in one day!