This blog showcases our top bird sightings for each month of 2023. Some are featured in-depth, while others are briefly mentioned. This recap is overdue and we plan to post more regularly in the future.

January – White Wagtail

The White Wagtail at Lake Alberta in Tallahassee was first reported on November 24, 2022. We decided to chase it on January 1st and luckily located the bird after a few tries. This was a spectacular life bird and a great one to start off the new year.

February – Golden Eagles and Bohemian Waxwings

We were delighted to add the Bohemian Waxwing as a life bird on a winter trip to Park City, Utah. Watching a pair of Golden Eagles soar together and then copulate in the trees was a truly amazing site. You can read about the rest of this trip here.

March – Rookery at St. Augustine Alligator Farm

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is a unique zoo specializing in alligators and features a boardwalk that leads into a wading bird rookery. Here, alligators play a role in protecting the bird nests from predators like raccoons by resting beneath them. The Alligator Farm is a popular destination for bird photographers, particularly between February and June. Here are a few of our favorite pictures from this trip.

April – Great-tailed Grackle

A Great-tailed Grackle, a first-time recorded species for Florida, was first discovered by Eric Plage at a Tierra Verde 7-11 on February 22, 2023. The GTGR relocated to Northshore Park in St. Petersburg on March 19, 2023. Despite the influx of cars and tents on April 6th, the bird remained undisturbed and the bird’s distinctive call was immediately recognizable upon my arrival at Northshore Park. This sighting marked my number 326 Florida life bird.

May – Black-legged Kittiwake

During our trip to Rochester for the PGA, we took a break from the golf course to explore the birding hotspots. At Sodus Bay, we successfully located our target bird, a Black-legged Kittiwake, and were pleasantly surprised to find a Bonaparte’s Gull, as well. We also visited the Lake Shore Marshes WMA, where we observed 24 species including the striking Mute Swan, the melodious Eastern Wood-Pewee, the vibrant American Redstart, and the colorful Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

June – Canada Warbler

While Mike was golfing, I drove the Kelley Strand Road West in Bennington County, Vermont. It’s a great spot for Canada Warblers, but the mosquitos were terrible! I could barely crack the car window to look through my binoculars, but it was worth it to see that beautiful bird.

July – Mourning Warbler

We were fortunate to participate in a birding field trip led by Joan Collins in Hamilton County, NY. A highlight was seeing a life bird for Mike, a Mourning Warbler. We also observed 6 Boreal Chickadees, 3 Black-backed Woodpeckers, 3 flycatcher species, and 10 warbler species. If you’re looking for boreal birds, consider attending the free annual Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival in June.

August – Warbling Vireo

In August, we boarded the Amtrak train in Utica, NY, bound for Toronto, Canada. In addition to catching an MLB game, seeing Hamilton on stage, and enjoying a Caamp concert, we carved out time for some birding. At Trillium Park on Lake Ontario, we were thrilled to spot a Mute Swan (our 98th Canadian life bird) and a Warbling Vireo (our 100th bird species).

September – American Flamingos

After Hurricane Idalia, we watched the reports of American Flamingos being seen in Florida and seven other states. We knew Cedar Key had a perfect habitat with its shallow water and abundant food source. We first saw 13 American Flamingos near the Number 3 bridge on September 25th. We saw at least one Flamingo daily through September 29. This photo was taken from the Cedar Key Cemetery boardwalk.

October – Gray Gull

A Gray Gull was reported around Santa Rosa Beach in the Florida Panhandle beginning September 3, 2023. This is the first confirmed sighting in the US. Luckily, it was still present when we made the trek on October 29th. Several birders, most from out of state, searched for the gull and we all raced up and down the shore based on the latest reports. At 10:40 am, many happy birders were delighted to add this to their life lists. The Gray Gull has been reported in the area in October and November 2024 so you may want to make the trip.

November – American White Pelican

November was a quiet month for birding in Cedar Key, Florida. With a tough choice between the Whimbrel, Magnificent Frigatebird, American White Pelican, and American Avocet, we ultimately selected the American White Pelican as our Bird of the Month. We picked the American White Pelican because we love seeing them migrate to Florida every winter.

December – Pearly-eyed Thrasher

While on a cruise that stopped at Bonaire in the Carribean Netherlands, we hired a local bird guide to take us around the island. On one of the stops in Kralendijk, we found our target lifer, the Pearly-eyed thrasher! We highly recommend hiring guides when time is limited while cruising.

Birds are everywhere, just waiting to be spotted! Grab your binoculars and let the birding adventures begin.

2023 Year Birds: 289 Life Birds: 14

Next Up: Sierra Vista Arizona