Tropical Storm Colin is on track to cross North Florida tonight (Monday night). Tropical storms that come ashore on the Big Bend can be very good for pelagic and coastal birds on our big lakes. So you want to be at Palm Point first thing tomorrow morning, because storm-blown birds may not linger much beyond first light. Here’s the storm’s predicted track as of Monday morning: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?5-daynl#contents
Geoff Parks tells me that “at least one” American Robin is singing east of NE 6th Terrace a little south of 23rd Avenue.
Jonathan Mays shared an entertaining story of a high-spirited chase around the county in search of June Challenge birds. Even for someone with Jonathan’s ability (and luck), things don’t always go right: “Adam Zions and I birded all over southeastern Alachua County on Sunday. Made the lap around Tuscawilla Prairie … nada. Hit all access points around Orange Lake … ditto … nada. Then, knowing things were awaiting us at Lochloosa … you guessed it … nothing. So, went to Newnans Lake …. more … nada … from both Powers Park and Palm Point. We headed towards town as the clouds started to build. Happened to swing through the new Depot Park area when Adam spotted a Eurasian Collared-Dove on the powerlines going into GRU. TICK! Then, the hits kept coming (though not necessarily Challenge birds): Red-headed Woodpecker along 4th Street, a yellow male House Finch, Loggerhead Shrike, flyover Laughing Gulls (no idea where they’re going), and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. So we decided to settle in till the storm passed at the closest local brewery (totally in luck – First Magnitude). From there and in the safety of their tarp and picnic table umbrellas, we had 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows easily in view for most of the stay, 2 Barn Swallows same, and 2 Tree Swallows flying over (observed on our way in, not after we were leaving). Then, and my best bird of the day, had a Cooper’s Hawk fly through hunting, probably, rare swallows. Also had 3 Eastern Bluebirds (an adult and 2 youngsters) and 2 House Sparrows … the latter was a June bird for me. With the clouds building, we went back to Palm Point and enjoyed some killer clouds but no doubt the fewest avian species I’ve ever had there. Lesson – stay at your local brewery!”
Tom Wronski notifies local birders, “I volunteer at Paynes Prairie, and the La Chua Trail will be closed for 3 days sometime between June 7-17 for herbicide application. The exact 3 days will be decided upon based on weather conditions. I thought the June challengers should know that their access to La Chua will be restricted soon. I’ll let you know which 3 days when I’m informed by park rangers.”
Fans of H.P. Lovecraft finally have a presidential candidate of their own: https://cthulhuforamerica.com/