What’s your favourite chook species?
I’ve 2 favorites right here in Florida, the Purple-cockaded Woodpecker for being uncommon, distinctive of their behaviors, and really charismatic. The second is the Florida subspecies of the Crested Caracara. They’re additionally uncommon and distinctive, but in addition very shy. It’s a problem to get a photograph of 1.
Purple-cockaded Woodpecker
What’s your title, and the place do you reside?
Rebecca Anthony, Florida, USA
What are the primary areas or places you cowl as a chook information?
The whole state of Florida, together with the Dry Tortugas. We’ve additionally led in a single day excursions in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Africa, Costa Rica, and among the Caribbean islands.
How lengthy have you ever been a chook information?
I began our firm, Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Excursions, in 2018, however have participated in native festivals and chook hikes earlier than the begin of the corporate.
Florida Scrub Jay
How did you get into chook guiding?
My dad used to take me out to the wildlife refuge as a child and we’ve at all times had chook feeders within the yard. The job that turned me right into a birder was a seasonal job in Scranton, PA after I helped extract migratory songbirds from mist nets in order that they could possibly be banded. The colours and variety of warblers have been wonderful to see up shut.
What are the elements of being a chook information that you simply like greatest? Which elements do you dislike most?
I like assembly individuals with the identical ardour from everywhere in the world and listening to concerning the birds within the areas the place they stay. I additionally love discovering uncommon and unusual species and getting a terrific picture of the birds if I can. I might say that I dislike wet, chilly days when the birds are scarce and there aren’t many round.
What are the highest 5-10 birds in your area that you simply assume are probably the most fascinating for visiting birders?
Purple-cockaded Woodpecker, Snail Kite, Nanday Parakeet, Wilson’s Plover, Snowy Plover, Florida Scrub-Jay, Bald Eagle, Roseate Spoonbill, and Painted Bunting.
Painted Bunting
Are you able to define a minimum of one typical birdwatching journey in your space? Please briefly describe the places, the important thing birds, and the approximate period of such a visit
One instance of a birding journey that may be executed on a full-day tour from the Orlando space is a driving loop round Lake County. We’d start with the Ocala Nationwide Forest the place we’d encounter Wild Turkey, Sandhill Crane, Purple-cockaded Woodpecker, Purple-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and seasonally the Bachman’s Sparrow. Then drive north to Juniper Prairie for the Florida Scrub-Jay. After a break for lunch, we’ll go to Lake Harris for Purple Gallinules and Limpkin. Our final cease can be the Emeralda Marsh public boat ramp. The Snail Kites have used this space up to now together with Northern Harriers, Black-necked Stilt, numerous waterfowl, and wading birds.
Purple Gallinule
What different strategies are you able to give to birders serious about your space?
I like to recommend something from January to April. Summer time is sweet as a result of you will note fledglings, however many individuals can’t face up to the Florida summer time warmth. As a photographer, I like to recommend a minimum of a 400mm lens. The birds right here will not be so shy and so they can normally be photographed at shut distances. A recognizing scope just isn’t wanted right here, only a pair of binoculars. We may have up shut and private encounters with birds. I like to recommend sneakers that may get moist if we’re on the lookout for plovers. There are lots of tide swimming pools on the seashores and typically it’s simply simpler to stroll by them.
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is serious about birding with you, how can they greatest contact
you?
Whatsapp at +1 609 553 0757, or my e mail handle [email protected] which is checked each day.
