Coastal Birding Report Update for the Sarasota Area – July, 2008

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

Double-crested Cormorants–. Plenty around, not many young, saw one nest with a chick.

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

Great Blue Herons– Plenty around.

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

Night-Herons – Plenty around.

Great White Egrets – Still some chicks feeding.

Snowy Egrets – In the area.

Cattle Egrets – In the area.

Brown Pelicans - In the area, building nests, chicks from very young to mid-size.

American White Pelicans  - Went back north, haven't seen one for a couple of weeks.

Roseate Spoonbills – Looks like a pair are nesting on the far south Island. Maybe a pair nesting on the far north island, however I don't spot them everytime I'm there .

Black Vultures – None around.

Oystercatchers – Still see them around.

Local area waters in Sarasota:

Just west of the south siesta bird island I was watching two bald eagles and a smaller black bird in flight. At first I thought the black bird was keeping the eagles away from a nest - wrong - the eagles were stalking the black bird. One the the eagles did a dive and caught the black bird, then flew away to it's nest.

Most of our northern species have left. Some loons, and grebes are around. No white pelicans are around.
 
Little Blue Herons – White Ibis – Tri-colored Herons – Yellow & Black-crowned Night Herons – Green Herons – Belted Kingfishers – Gulls – Terns – Ospreys - Bald Eagles, and the species mentioned above at the rookery islands are found year round.

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

TEXT TEXT TEXT