The Brown Pelican, March 2009

George Simmons Park and TECO, Jan 21
On a frigid (39 degrees) but sunny morning, eight Auduboners visited George Simmons Park that borders Tampa Bay near Ruskin. Although most of the song birds hunkered down, the large waterbirds were active, with 31 total species recorded. Highlights included an American Oystercatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Red-breasted Merganser, and a Roseate Spoonbill.

Since manatees avoid the Gulf when the temperature falls below 68 degrees, these hulking vegetarians seek the warm waters of natural springs and discharges from electrical power plants like the Tampa plant at Apollo Beach. Manatees were in abundance at TECO, along with several diamond-shaped Spotted Eagle Rays that entertained spectators by leaping out of the water. A small educational museum near the viewing platform provided a warm and welcome respite from the cool air. -Trip leader, Stu Hills

Lettuce Lake, Jan 17
Twelve hardy birders braved a cold start at Lettuce Lake in Tampa but were rewarded with a terrific day of birding.

We started off with a nice mixed flock of warblers (including Black & White and Yellow-throated) and vireos on the way to the observation tower. On the boardwalk we were treated to a male Pileated Woodpecker having breakfast not 6 feet away from us. He was enjoying his grubs immensely, and did not let our presence disturb him in the least.

The observation tower afforded us a breath-taking view of Roseate Spoonbills, Glossy and White Ibis, all the usual herons and egrets, Wilson's Snipe, yellowlegs, grebes, kingfishers, Anhingas, Ospreys, Red-shouldered Hawks, Hooded Mergansers, and more. A pair of Great Blue Herons, and a pair of the hawks were nesting near each other, and afforded us great views of them on the nests.

The boardwalk skirts the river and produced robins, Eastern Phoebes, Common Yellowthroat, Carolina Wren, and a flock of 8 Wild Turkeys. The picnic area oaks yielded more warblers, Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. All this while listening to a Barred Owl hoot. A sunny lunch ended our morning, but 51 tallied species and a great love for Lettuce Lake remain! -Lynn Jakubowicz, Leader

Clay Gully & Sidell Road, Feb 11

We had a beautiful day for our Clay Gully-Sidell Road Loop trip and some great birding too. Twenty five people enjoyed the warm, sunny weather and sighted 55 different species. All participants had good looks at three American Pipits at the St. Margaret of Scotland Church pond on Clark Road, two Crested Caracara on Sidell Road and a Bachman's Sparrow in fine singing voice on Sugar Bowl Road. February is early for Bachman's Sparrows to be singing. We ate lunch at Crowley Nature Center after which we enjoyed close up spotting scope views of the Bald Eagle sitting on its nest. Other "good" birds included Eastern Meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrikes, Am. Kestrels, a Red-tailed Hawk and Sandhill Cranes. All in all it was a fine, fun adventure. -Owen Comora, Leader