Where to find feathered friends
Fall is a good time to observe the North Suncoast's bird life.
By DAVID BROWN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 13, 2007
Fall in Florida presents some of the year's most pleasant weather, along with some of the best opportunities for observing local and migratory birds.
Popular resident birds include the red-cockaded woodpecker, Florida scrub jay, brown-headed nuthatch, Bachman's sparrow and pine warbler. Birds of prey such as kestrels, red-shouldered hawks and burrowing owls add their own air of mystique to the assortment.
Near lakes, ponds, rivers and Gulf shores, you can expect to see herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, pelicans (brown and white), wood storks, ospreys and the occasional bald eagle. Coastal beaches may hold sandpipers and skimmers.
Autumn finds songbirds and northern ducks passing through our area en route to their wintering grounds in Central America.
The area also sees an influx of sandhill cranes in the fall. These tall, wandering birds often are mistaken for great blue herons, however, the latter appears most often near shorelines, while the red-headed sandhills like to roam pastures, golf courses and other broad fields where bugs abound.
Where to look
The North Suncoast abounds with bird-friendly habitats, but some of the most consistent areas include:
Chinsegut Nature Center:Located 7 miles north of Brooksville, the center covers 408 of the 828 acres comprising Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area. Plenty of room here for birders of all levels to stretch their legs and spot the next winged wonder.
Weeki Wachee River Preserve: Where the river meets the Gulf just past Bayport, endless stands of sawgrass with scattered palms, oaks and pines provide good foraging and hiding spots. Canoe or kayak the main river or its many winding creeks and you'll see plenty of birds.
Withlacoochee National Forest: The forest's 157,479 acres of pristine habitat encompasses a multitude of bird species. The Croom and Richloam tracts in eastern Hernando and Pasco counties are notable birding areas.
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park: A relatively small park in Port Richey, Werner-Boyce protects 4 miles of pristine coastal environment with a diversity of bird species.
Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area: Bordered by the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, the 33,919-acre WMA offers lots of space to roam, look and listen for various feathered residents. Hike the sandhills and scrub communities or visit the NWR's coastal islands (accessible only by boat).
How to look
Early mornings, right at daybreak, offer the best viewing opportunities. This is the coolest time of the day, so birds are most active. They'll feed as much as they can to last them through the day, then cap off their diet with a sundown meal.
When the weather cools, some birds will remain active throughout the day. The problem here, though, is that the higher the sun rises, the harder it is to look up and search the trees for your feathered subjects.
Stealth is key when approaching any wildlife, so move as quietly as possible. Traversing forests will be more challenging than strolling a marked trail, but do your best to minimize movement. In groups, keep the chatter low and brief.
Full camouflage is unnecessary, but dressing in drab greens and browns lessens your visibility or at least your intrusion. Anything that rattles or shines can work against you.
What to bring
Loose, comfortable clothing is essential for any outdoor activity, but consider that your search may take you through inhospitable habitat. Long-sleeved shirts, durable pants and waterproof (or water-resistant) hiking boots are essential. Add insect repellent, sunscreen and bottled water if you plan on spending any serious time in bird land.
A birding field guide and binoculars are the classic combination for this pastime. If you want to preserve your findings, sling a camera around your neck. You'll rarely get close enough to a bird to merit an external flash, but a lens hood will reduce sun glare and provide a partial shield against falling leaves, acorns, bugs and morning fog.
A telephoto zoom lens in the 70-300 range is a good bet for shooting close and distant birds. Use what you can afford, but don't go cheap or you might miss that once-in-a-lifetime moment when the legendary ivory-billed woodpecker makes an appearance.
Some modern lenses offer the image stabilization feature, which means the optical element remains focused on the subject, even if the lens moves. This is helpful for distant shots where the slightest movement can cause blurring.
Another handy lens feature is an ultra-sonic motor. This means the lens zooms in and out without any mechanical noise. The fewer disturbances you bring into a natural habitat, the more birds you'll see.
For information on North Suncoast birding, visit www.hernandoaudubon.org or www.floridabirdingtrail.com