February 2010

Rookery islands in Robert's Bay near Siesta Key Florida:

Nesting has started - Great Blue Herons, Great White Egrets, and Cormorants are plenty busy building. Great photo-ops for dancing Great White Egrets.

Double-crested Cormorants–. Always around, now building nests.

Anhingas – Every now and then you may spot one or two.

Great Blue Herons– Always around, now building nests.

Tri-Colored Herons – Spot one or two each trip.

Night-Herons – Some under mangroves, hard to spot, better at Ken Thompson boat launch, now building nests.

Great White Egrets – Always in the area, now building nests.

Snowy Egrets – In the area.

Cattle Egrets – Flocks of thirty or so can be seen on the islands.

Brown Pelicans - Always around, now building nests.

American White Pelicans  - Always find them somewhere this time of year.

Roseate Spoonbills – A few hanging around the islands.

Vultures – A few around.

Oyster catchers – A few around, don't see them every trip.

Local area waters in Sarasota:

WOW: While fishing with clients an Osprey with a fish flew above us - out of no where a bald eagle started chasing the osprey trying to take the fish away. The eagle didn't get the fish, however what a great show.

Northern species are on there way down, mostly white pelicans.

Ospreys are never a problem to find.

Northern species are on there way down, mostly white pelicans.

Birds at the fish cleaning stations have become really aggressive - this tells me that they should be nesting soon.

I will do my best to keep this report updated, however if you would like the most current update for the Sarasota area please feel free to email me at terry.frankford@verizon.net I'm on the water several times a week guiding fishing, photography, and birding trips I would be glad to share my sightings with anyone interested.

Capt. Terry Frankford
Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.
941/228-7802
www.naturetourflorida.com
www.charterfishingsarasota.com

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