During April I saw 67 species over 19 checklists for my 2017 Green Birding List. The last time I kept a green list for April was in 2015, when I had 93 species.
I did a bunch of running throughout the month to prepare for participating in all three races during the Dark Side Half Marathon Weekend at Disney World. Some birds were recorded on the run. And as the photos show, I came across more photogenic reptiles than birds, apparently.
Here are some photographic highlights from the month.
On April 4th I did a long 12 mile run along the East Regional Rail Trail in Enterprise and Deltona. I saw a Ringneck Snake in the middle of the trail. I gave it a poke to see if it was still alive and when it wiggled I picked it up and set it off the path.
Ringneck Snake on the East Regional Rail Trail in Deltona, 4 April 2017
Luna Moth caterpillar on the East Regional Rail Trail, 4 April 2017
Later on the same run, crossing Providence on the way back, I saw a roadkill squirrel in the middle of the road and some Black Vultures loitering around. I picked up the squirrel and tossed it off the road so they wouldn’t get hit by passing cars. Thornby Park was close by so I ran over to wash my hands before continuing the run.
Black Vultures with roadkill squirrel by the East Regional Rail Trail in Deltona, 4 April 2017
Prairie Warbler at Gemini Springs, 5 April 2017
The next day at Gemini Springs I had another close encounter with a snake. Again I wondered if the snake was still living before I picked it up and moved it off the path in the park.
Peninsula Ribbon Snake at Gemini Springs, 5 April 2017
Full moon at Gemini Springs, 10 April 2017
American Alligator at Gemini Springs, 12 April 2017
Cooper’s Hawk at DeBary Hall, 12 April 2017
American Alligator at Gemini Springs, 27 April 2017
Green Birding List for April 2017
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Muscovy Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Anhinga
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Swallow-tailed Kite
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Sora
Common Gallinule
American Coot
Limpkin
Sandhill Crane
Black-necked Stilt
Least Tern
Caspian Tern
Mourning Dove
Barred Owl
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
2 Responses to Green Birding Southwest Volusia County, April 2017