Anastasia Hotspots Field Trip Report
April 12, 2007
Participants: Teddy, Ned, Margaret, Lee, Els, Jacky, Peggy, and Fran

Migration Day proved one thing for sure to our St. Johns County Audubon group Saturday morning. Most of the neotropical migrants have migrated! Well, big surprise. Isn’t that what they’re supposed to do?

On the other hand, we got spectacular looks at some of our own nesting birds sing on territories at Anastasia State Park. A Painted Bunting sang heartily from a power line as we all jumped out of still-rolling cars to marvel. Several elusive Clapper Rails posed and preened for us as we looked down from the beach boardwalk, while Red-winged Blackbird sang and flashed brilliant red epaulettes in the sun over the marsh.

First, we hiked through a maritime hammock to emerge into an eerie early morning fog over Salt Run. Royal and Least Terns, Laughing Gulls, several Egrets and Herons, and a group of Porpoises were all enjoying breakfast in the shallow estuary. A patchy, molting Little Blue and several Spotted Sandpipers were working the wrack from last week’s extra high tides. A Common Yellowthroat popped out for a look at us. For those of us who “do” botany when birding is slow, this marsh walk also offers a nice variety of plants that have adapted to their harsh environment. As we lingered in the peaceful, cool morning, the fog gradually began to lift.

Next, we moved to the boardwalk and scanned the beach. By this time, humans had become the most abundant species so we missed the gorgeous summer-plumaged Black-bellied Plovers and Ruddy Turnstones that had been present yesterday. The day was getting hotter so we decided to walk the dark, shady trail that starts in the campground. This trail is excellent during actual migration, but Northern Parulas and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were about all we saw on this day.

Anastasia State Park is a beautiful, diverse park. Although we counted only 38 species for the morning, our group agreed that this is a place we definitely need to visit more often. We thank Shelly Young for waiving the entrance fee for us. In fact, everyone on the Park’s staff has been professional, friendly, and helpful. Our Audubon chapter will be working with them on the Least Tern Project, birding programs, and nature walks this summer.

Most of the group left at lunchtime, but we went on down to check the Police Station ponds, Weff Road docks and mudflats, and the Davis Shores neighborhood. We added Anhingas, White-winged Doves, Housefinches, Gray Catbirds, and a multitude of Black-hooded Parakeets. Our final tally for the day was 53 species of birds, and several pleasant hours with wonderful birdwatching friends.

- Teddy Shuler
 

Leader: Ned & Teddy Shuler
Date: May 12, 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 0800 (trip ends around noon or possible later)
Meeting Place: Parking lot outside pay station to Anastasia State Park.
What to Bring: Lunch and water, a sun hat, bug spray, binoculars, and field guides. There will be short drives between hotspots.
Directions: Located off A1A, and just 1 1/2 miles from historic downtown St. Augustine- http://www.funandsun.com/parks/Anastasia/anastasia.html

Itinerary:

Anastasia State Park is the first stop on a field trip to some favorite birding spots around Anastasia Island. Participants may choose to bird either half a day or stay until mid afternoon. Either way, everyone should see a good variety of birds including possible Common Ground Doves, or Painted and Indigo Buntings at this diverse park.

Also, the group will be tallying species and numbers of birds for the spring Migration Day Bird Count. This count is designed to provide a picture of where neotropical migratory birds are in the Western Hemisphere on one specific day. Of course, most of our birds will be those that nest here, but we could still see a substantial total.

Other stops include the new park and pond at the St. Augustine Beach police station, Weff Road at high tide when the docks are often covered with birds, several retention ponds, and a neighborhood that sports White-winged Doves, Housefinches, a Loggerhead Shrike, and a Spotted Sandpiper, if we’re lucky. We could even see flyovers like Roseate Spoonbills, Swallow-tailed Kites, and Black-Hooded Parakeets.

Email or call if you have questions. Teddys23@bellsouth.net 904-819-5860
 

This area contains a listing of the species seen or heard on the trip.