Trip Report: Okefenokee Swamp 1-29-22

Several of you braved the cold and windy day yesterday at Okefenokee. In combination with Duval Audubon we had at least 15 birders that heard more species than were seen. With high winds many birds flew faster than the wind and were not easily identified. Despite that, we did observe 3 Sandhill Cranes on the far side of the pond visible from the fire tower. The early birders that arrived before 8am were able to spot a Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Some of us had brief glimpses of Blue-headed Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler and Brown-headed Nuthatches. Most of us were able to observe Robins and Bluebirds. Several birders were using the Merlin App to pick up heard species that we did not see. However, be careful relying on these apps. Near the end of our tour we observed a Pileated Woodpecker and many Robins in an area recently burned. The Merlin app claimed to hear a Pine Grosbeak that I will see when I go to Minnesota this week but is extremely unlikely in our area. Always try to verify any heard species out of range. 

Our next trip will be at Spoonbill Pond on Saturday Feb. 12, 2022. We will meet in the parking area for the Big Talbot boat launch at 8am. Depending on tides, we will look for marsh sparrows during high tide and shorebirds on Spoonbill Pond at low tide. Between high and low tides we will search the trees bordering the parking area. Last week I noticed both species of Kinglets, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Orange-crowned Warbler plus the usual suspects. I will send a reminder upon my return for more details concerning this trip.
Good Birding,
Bill George