Trip Report:  (Review the list)

"Thirteen birders arrived at Guana dam at around 7:15 AM for our first field trip of the season. We scoped the areas at the dam and picked up our wading birds, plus had a Roseate Spoonbill fly over the causeway. The usual gulls and a few terns appeared as the sky was lighting up (see picture at right). Common Ground Doves were also seen in the area.

The sky didn’t light up very much, however, with the appearance of thick clouds in the distance. We elected to take off anyway and head for the woods. We were welcomed with a chipping Northern Cardinal as we perched at the kiosk. The birds were a little more prepared for the weather than we were and were quite obviously absent. A few Carolina Chickadees scolded us and Anne Turner found a Northern Parula for us. With our hopes up, we searched for more warblers. We found two Eastern Kingbirds and had Red-Bellied Woodpeckers plus a Northern Flicker.

At this point, it started to rain somewhat, but the group felt they wanted to keep going. We came up on more Tufted Titmouse and chickadees, a White-Eyed Vireo, a Red-Eyed Vireo plus a small group that included Pine Warblers and another Parula. Eastern Towhees were calling. With the rain forecast becoming obvious, we decided to go deeper into the woods.

During our walk through the deep woods trail, we came up on a Bluestripe Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis similis), which was identified by Lucy Seeds. Christine also showed us interesting spider behavior as we watched banana spider at its web. We trudged on and then the sky burst forth with rain. We took shelter under the trees and discovered that a few of the warblers chose to do the same. We had American Redstart, Red-Eyed Vireos, chickadees and titmice.

After the drenching downpour, the group decided to head back to the shelter of the picnic tables. As expected, the rain stopped as we left the trail, so a few of us decided to return to the trail after a lunch break. Birds were moving about during this time and we found Baltimore Orioles, Prairie Warbler, Ovenbirds (2-3), American Redstarts, Parulas and tons of Red-Eyed Vireos. We also came up on a pigmy rattlesnake that after some prodding obligingly moved over for us to pass by.

St. Johns County Audubon Birders are the Champs! I never would have believed we would make it through all the rain. This is truly a trip to remember. It marks the beginning of a fun-filled season for our chapter." ....Diane Reed, September 11th, 2006

Trip participants checking out a Northern Flicker.
 

Leader: Diane Reed
Date: Sunday, September 10, 2006
Time: 0715 to afternoon
Meeting Place: GTMNERR Dam Parking Lot (entrance fee). Meet at the Trail Parking Lot (at the tree line).
What to Bring: Beverage, lunch, snacks, insect spray, binoculars, spotting scope for causeway area (will not be taken on hike)
Directions: GTMNERR is located on A1A, eight miles north of the ‘Vilano Bridge’ in St. Augustine.  Click here for a map.

Meet me for our first local trip of the season and be ‘first on the scene’ to look for fall migrants in the trees and around the causeway. We will hike the Nature Trail at a leisurely pace. Be reminded that this time of year can produce all sorts of weather conditions, so be prepared with proper clothing and insect repellant. We will cover ‘the hot spots’ of the trails in search for warblers specifically, which will require patience and quiet observation for sounds and movements.   

This trip is open to beginners as well as experienced birders.  The trails are well marked, so participants may leave the trip at their leisure; however, I expect to be on the trails for 4-5 hours.  Bring drinks and snacks during the walk (in order to avoid dehydration) and we will have lunch at the end of the walk and tally up our species.  Restrooms are located at the trail head.

For more information please contact Diane Reed (904) 829-9854. 

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