Hi,
Last November I had to go to a scientific meeting in Orlando. This offered me a great opportunity. I extended my stay two days more, to visit some nearby interesting areas. I recommend you to visit the Great Florida Birding Trail web page, to know good birding spots in the area. I also recommend you the Mansurovs Photography web page, in which the author indicates some good places for birding and photography around Orlando.
You can see pictures, maps and the list of species observed in my blog, in http://arodris.blogspot.com/:
Also, you can see pictures on different species in my web page, in:
http://sites.google.com/site/arodrisaves/:
1. Orlando.
During the meeting I visited some garden areas near International Drive. Most of the hotels are located in this street. It is incredible the variety of species, despite this is a very crowded area. I moved specially to Little Sand Lake and to gardens around Universal Blvd.
2. Blue Springs State Park (16/Nov./2011).
The first free day, at the afternoon, we moved to Blue Springs State Park. Overwintering manatees are a big draw at this park, but birding is also excellent. Walking through the spring boardwalk may allow to see coots, anhingas, cormorants and warblers. There is also a 4 mile trail that explores sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods and marsh. The best time to visit is between march and april, and between october and december.
3. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (17/Nov./2011).
This is an essential visit, at one hour by car of Orlando. Good area to see ducks, egrets and sandpipers and the like. The best time to visit is between october and march.
3.A. Parrish Park.
Just at the beginning of the bridge between Titusville and Merritt Island. This point allows to enjoy Indian River Lagoon with views of ducks, shorebirds, turnstones, terns and gulls. Also it is possible to see dolphins.
3.B. Beginning of Gator Creek Rd.
Just at the end of the bridge. I did not move into Gator Creek Rd., except for a short walk, but I managed to enjoy with osprey, vultures and belted kingfisher.
3.C. Hacia el Visitor Information Center.
Not too much to see in the Visitor Center, but in the way there were some interesting ducks. There is an small lagoon inside the visitor center, with passerines, alligators and a beautiful small forest with spanish moss.
3.D. Black Point Wildlife Drive.
Essential. Driving Black Point (unpaved road) allows to see rails, ducks, like pintails or teals, egrets and herons, and how harriers flush shorebirds.
3.E. Scrub Trail.
Good birding spot for migrants. Florida scurb-jays can be seen perching on telephone wires and posts. I did not manage to see them, but instead I could see some shorebirds. Also lots of mosquitos that ended well feeded.
3.F. Bio Lab Rd.
Just open to traffick after the wet season. Good unpaved road to see shorebirds. It is possible to see Mosquito Lagoon.
3.G. Playa Linda Beach.
I arrived at dusk, but still some interesing species. A long beach with few people, in which different shorebirds were free to move.
4. Joe Overstreet Rd., Kissimmee Lake y Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area (18/Nov./2011).As you drive down Joe Overstreet Rd. (unpaved road, but in goog conditions), look in the pastures for sandhill cranes and turkeys, and on the fenceposts for meadowlarks, blad eagles, and crested caracaras. At the end, in the Kissimmee lake, it is possible to check for limpkins, waders, ducks and snail kites. Interesting to visit year-round.
Do not forget to visit my blog for pictures and maps.
Regards,
Antonio
Some nice photos Antonio - I like the Alligator especially.
The Gadwall looks rather strange and I wonder if it might have some American Wigeon mixed in.
Cheers
Mike
Yes, I also saw the gadwall somehow strange, with a very dark head, but I do not know the reason.
Antonio