One of our best trips of the year and yours truly (Barb Gay)had to miss it. But, you were in good hands with Paul Nistico as your leader and after receiving some great pictures and the report I have been able to see the birds and feel the excitement. There were 73 species accounted for with the great sighting at Goethe of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, a highly endangered species and truly a rare bird to see, congratulations. Now here's Paul's report:

Generally, I thought it was a good day because of a handful of good looks at a handful of good species. Otherwise, pretty slow - NOT ONE MIGRATORY PASSERINE!!!!! Highlights were: Lesser Scaup - lots still hanging around there. Swallow-tailed Kites are always nice, but that species, plus Bald Eagle and Osprey were the only raptors seen. Clapper Rails - Nice looks. American Avocet - some nice close looks; a few individuals in near-breeding plumage. Great Horned Owls - Good looks in the cemetery. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers - Three individuals gave us great looks for 15 or more minutes.Yellow-throated Vireo - Played this guy down from tree tops for the group as we don't often see one. Brown - headed Nuthatch - So small and pale that even when you see them well you don't feel satisfied for long - kinda like Chinese food. Thanks for your support today. Hope everyone enjoyed it. Paul Nistico

Mallard, Lesser Scaup, Wild Turkey, American White Pelican, Brown Pelican, Double-Crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Green Heron, White Ibis, Wood Stork, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Swallow-Tailed Kite, Bald Eagle, Clapper Rail, Sandhill Crane, Black-Bellied Plover, American Avocet, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Western Sandpiper, Short-Billed Dowitcher, Laughing Gull, Ring-Billed Gull, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Forster's Tern, Black Skimmer, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Common Ground Dove, Great Horned Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Red-Headed Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, N. Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, E. Kingbird, White-Eyed Vireo, Yellow-Throated Vireo, Blue Jay, Florida Scrub-Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Brown-Headed Nuthatch, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, E. Bluebird, Gray Catbird, N. Mockingbird, Yellow-Throated Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black And White Warbler, E. Towhee, N. Cardinal, Red Winged Blackbird, Boat-Tailed Grackle, Brown-Headed Cowbird And House Sparrow.

Birds Heard Today:

Carolina Wren, Northern Parula And Prairie Warblere