2020 Fall/Winter Bird Migration Year End Review

Yellow Throated Warbler in a Royal Poinciana Tree-August 3rd, 2020

The 2020 Fall/Winter migration kicked off early this year, with my first sighting of a migrant August 3rd 2020, which was this Yellow Throated Warbler, along with a Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. The year prior I did not see my first migrant until September, which was Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. I was so excited to see that they came early. Extra time with migrants is always welcome in my book! Migrant bird continued to trickle in during the month of august as we approached the most active month which is always October.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher in Royal Poinciana-August 5th, 2020

The next of the migrants to trickle in was the Gnatcatcher(pictured above), American Redstart, and Black and White Warbler as expected. Every year I seem to find a bird that I have never seen, and this year was no exception. One of the highlights of this year's fall migration was finding a hooded warbler, a first and a lifer for me for sure. I was only able to get a few not so great photos of this warbler, as it was hiding deep in the Hardwood Hammock forest, and was not thrilled that I was there trying to get a shot of him!

Non Breeding Hooded Warbler-August 25, 2020

Clearest shot I was able to get of the hooded warbler

The Black and White Warbler also continued to be as elusive as usual, hopping from tree to tree quickly, and hopping up and down branches more like a nuthatch than a warbler. This warbler also seemed to enjoy making it difficult for me to take photos of him, but in the end I prevailed with a few good shots below.....I had the last laugh this time Mr. Black and White Warbler!

Black and White Warbler-non breeding August 31st 2020

As we headed farther into migration weeks, I saw my first ovenbird of the season. I had decided to go into the forest as I heard a bird calling very loud and continuously. I went as deep as I could through the trees, trying my best not to get stung by poisonwood. I crouched down so I wouldn't scare the little guy away. I patiently watched leaves and branches move, while this bird jumped around hidden from my view. Finally, he came out and I was able to get a few shots under the canopy of trees in the hammock.

Not the greatest shot due to low light in the hammock, but here he was, first ovenbird of the season!

I continued my daily afternoon walks, since during migration time you never know what you will find. I came across this eastern kingbird pictured below, along with a whole flock of many of them migrating south for the winter. They were perched on trees all over, with gray kingbirds. They were also on powerlines. They only stuck around for 2 days, and then moved on after that. That is why during migration time it is so important to come outside and look for birds daily because you may only one chance to see certain birds for one or 2 days. You never know if it's your one and only chance to see that bird. This was another first for me to find one of these kingbirds!

Eastern Kingbirds August 2020

As migration season continued, many raptors were starting to making their way down to the keys. I had the opportunity to have many great encounters with merlin falcons this year. I saw only one last year from really far away. No good shot of that one, but this year there was a pair that was seen frequently in the Norfolk Island Pine trees. They grow very tall and make a great high perch for these falcons.

Merlin Falcon October 2020

Here are some shots below of one of my favorite raptors, the peregrine falcon. The fastest animal on earth. The peregrine falcon can go as fast as 240mph when doing a stoop position in the air! There are 2 peregrines in the air soaring below.

Peregrine Falcon 2nd week of October 2020

2 peregrine falcons soaring October 2020

The peregrine falcon is one of my favorite raptors!

Songbirds were also in the spotlight as well. As migration went into full swing in October buntings were starting to show up. As I went on my afternoon walks, I would walk by an area that had these long cat tail type plants with little grains on them. I saw movement, and heard what sounded like buntings in there. I couldn't quite see them or get a good shot initially....

I stayed persistent though on my afternoon walks, and kept returning to the area. I kept trying to get them to come out from behind the reeds, but they wouldn't. I only got a fast glimpse of a male painted bunting, and then they were gone.

Male Painted Bunting

About a week later as I was walking through the forest I heard them close by....and then suddenly they came out in the clearing! Perfect shot!

Non Breeding Indigo Buntings

Female Painted Bunting

My favorite bird of all time to watch though during migration is definitely warblers. They come in so many colors, and patterns. You never know what kind you'll see every year. Here are some of my favorite shots of this past falls 2020 migration season....

Black and White Warbler

Female American Redstart

Non Breeding Palm Warbler

Male American Redstart

Non breeding Yellow Rumped Warbler

Common Yellow Throat, non-breeding first year male

Northern Parula-Male

Worm Eating Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Yellow Throated Warbler

I hope you enjoyed this year end review of the fall migration, as we look forward to spring migration coming up!