Birding

Two Weeks ‘Til Space Coast!

January 11, 2012 by Corey 10 Comments

It is only two weeks from today that I will be in sun-drenched and bird-rich Florida, reveling in p

otential life birds, frolicking with fellow birders, and having a grand old time. Why? Because I will be at the 15th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival! Having never birded Florida before I really can’t wait to see an Anhinga, a Florida Scrub-Jay, a Limpkin. So, Space Coast veterans, where should I be birding? What should I not miss? What holes in my ABA list can I fill? What is the best place to find a wintering Le Conte’s Sparrow? Brewer’s Sparrow? Wilson’s Plover?

I have a dream of palm trees swaying overhead while I pluck a juicy orange from a tree and see a Snail Kite fly past me. I have another dream that involves a beach covered with gulls and bikini-clad women but perhaps we should leave that one off this family-friendly blog.

Instead, lets focus on what I should pack, where I should go, and what events I can’t miss. Help me out, 10,000 Birds readers! I know that folks from Florida read this blog, I know that previous attendees of Space Coast read this blog, and I know that birders are an extremely helpful bunch. HELP ME!!!

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10,000 Birds is a Scrub Jay-level sponsor of the 15th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival.

festivals Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival

Written by Corey

Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.

10 Comments

marlene cote January 11, 2012 at 8:15 pm
You should not miss Ding-Darling reservation on the fabulous island of Sanibel. You will add hundreds of birds to your life list there.
And you can bike through it.
Clare and Grant-Broome Western Australia January 11, 2012 at 8:26 pm
We agree-do Sanibel-wait, why are we giving you tips-you currently have 95 on your list and we are still ahead! 🙂
Corey January 11, 2012 at 9:09 pm
I would love to go to Sanibel but it is 4.5 hours from where the festival is based, in Titusville!
And, Clare, I will catch up. Or at least have lots of fun trying to!
Grant McCreary January 11, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Disclosure: I don’t live in FL and this will be my first time at the Space Coast festival, but I’ve birded the area before. If you don’t get Anhinga by Sunday evening, the anti-celebratory beer is on me. The Scrub-jay should be easy on field trips designed to get it. If not, then hang out at the southern-most entrance to Canaveral National Seashore. Limpkin at Vierra Wetlands (a must-bird location). LeConte’s has been seen recently at Merritt Island (another must-bird, obviously), but you’ll probably want to ask someone local once you get there. Brewer’s Sparrow? Not likely (unless I’ve missed one being reported). Not sure, but I think the closest spot for Snail Kite would be Joe Overstreet Landing (the now-sold-out Central Florida Specialties trips).
Looks like we’re going to get a break in the weather in that it’s forecasted to be much warmer than last year.
Sarah January 12, 2012 at 9:52 am
Please check out my article on the Limpkin. I have video on this bird and think this would be of interest to you.
http://www.prdseed.com/blog/?m=201105
Corey January 12, 2012 at 10:44 am
@Grant: Oops – I should have written Cassin’s Sparrow. But, really, one sparrow is pretty much like another anyway, no?
Jochen January 12, 2012 at 10:57 am
@Corey:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Audrey January 12, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I have seen an anhinga several times — they are wonderful expecially from the back when they are spreading their wings to dry. I am in central Florida and have seen them on the edges of inland lakes.
My dream bird is a painted bunting and think they are in the area you are going.
Mike January 12, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Actually, Corey, you probably should have written Bachman’s Sparrow. But you probably won’t see one anyway, so the discussion is academic!
I really enjoyed Viera Wetland which is terrific for tons of water-lovers and raptors. In the comments to my Viera report, Will recommends Kissimmee Prairie State Park. Burrowing Owls? Wow!
Corey January 12, 2012 at 1:13 pm
@Mike: Man, that bird’s name just won’t stick in my head. Damned sparrows.