This Bird of the Month 2023 recap highlights our most memorable sightings across Florida, Utah, Vermont, New York, Canada, and Bonaire — from rare vagrants to unforgettable lifers.
January – White Wagtail
A rare Florida vagrant and a spectacular way to start the year. The White Wagtail at Lake Alberta in Tallahassee was first reported on November 24, 2022. On January 1st, we decided to chase it, and after a few tries, we finally spotted the bird. It was an unforgettable life bird and the perfect way to kick off 2023.
February – Golden Eagles and Bohemian Waxwings
Two unforgettable winter sightings in Park City, including a life bird and a dramatic eagle display. During our trip, we added the Bohemian Waxwing as a life bird, a highlight we won’t forget. Later that day, a pair of Golden Eagles soared together and then copulated in the trees, creating an incredible moment to witness. Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/utah-winter-birding
March – Rookery at St. Augustine Alligator Farm
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is a unique zoo specializing in alligators and featuring a boardwalk that leads to a thriving wading-bird rookery. During nesting season, alligators help protect the birds by deterring predators like raccoons, creating a safe place for herons, egrets, and spoonbills to raise their young. Because this spot is especially active between February and June, it has become a favorite destination for bird photographers. Here are a few of our favorite pictures from this trip.
April – Great-tailed Grackle
A surprising Florida first made this month’s sighting especially memorable. A Great‑tailed Grackle, first discovered by Eric Plage at a Tierra Verde 7‑Eleven on February 22, 2023, later relocated to Northshore Park in St. Petersburg. When I visited on April 6th, the park was packed with cars and tents, yet the bird remained completely unfazed. Its distinctive call was instantly recognizable from our trips to Texas, which made the moment even more special. This sighting became my 326th Florida life bird.
May – Black-legged Kittiwake
A quick break from the PGA led to a successful chase and a bonus gull. During our stop at Sodus Bay, we quickly located our target bird, a Black‑legged Kittiwake, which felt like a huge win. Even better, a surprise Bonaparte’s Gull appeared nearby. We also visited the Lake Shore Marshes WMA, where we recorded 24 species, including a striking Mute Swan, an Eastern Wood‑Pewee, an American Redstart, and a Rose‑breasted Grosbeak. Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/northeast-spring-birding
June – Canada Warbler
Mosquitoes aside, Vermont rewarded us with a beautiful and highly sought‑after warbler. While Mike was golfing, I drove Kelley Stand Road West in Bennington County, a reliable spot for Canada Warblers. The mosquitoes were so intense that I could barely crack the car window, but the effort paid off when the bird finally appeared. Seeing that bright, elegant warbler made the entire detour worth it. Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/northeast-spring-birding
July – Mourning Warbler
A boreal birding trip in the Adirondacks delivered a special life bird for Mike. During a field trip led by Joan Collins in Hamilton County, we were thrilled when a Mourning Warbler finally appeared, giving Mike a memorable lifer. In addition to that highlight, we also observed six Boreal Chickadees, three Black‑backed Woodpeckers, three flycatcher species, and ten warbler species. If you’re looking for boreal birds, consider attending the free annual Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival in June. Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/northeast-spring-birding
August – Warbling Vireo
A summer getaway to Toronto added two Canadian life birds to our growing list. In August, we boarded the Amtrak train in Utica, New York, bound for Toronto, ready for a mix of baseball, theater, music, and birding. Between catching an MLB game, seeing Hamilton on stage, and enjoying a Caamp concert, we carved out time to explore Trillium Park on Lake Ontario. There, we were thrilled to spot a Mute Swan—our 98th Canadian life bird—and a Warbling Vireo, which became our 100th species in Canada. Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/northeast-spring-birding
September – American Flamingos
Hurricane‑driven vagrants turned Cedar Key into a once‑in‑a‑lifetime flamingo hotspot. After Hurricane Idalia, reports of American Flamingos began pouring in from Florida and seven other states. Because we lived in Cedar Key at the time, we headed out several times, knowing the shallow water and abundant food made it a perfect habitat. On September 25th, we found 13 American Flamingos near the Number 3 bridge, an unforgettable sight. Over the next several days, we continued seeing at least one flamingo daily, right through September 29. This photo was taken from the Cedar Key Cemetery boardwalk.
October – Gray Gull
A U.S. first record drew birders from across the country—and we were lucky to be among them. A Gray Gull began appearing around Santa Rosa Beach in the Florida Panhandle on September 3, 2023, marking the first confirmed sighting in the United States. Fortunately, it was still present when we made the trek on October 29. Several birders, many from out of state, searched the shoreline with us, and we all raced up and down the beach as new reports came in. At 10:40 a.m., a crowd of very happy birders finally enjoyed clear views and added this remarkable species to their life lists. The Gray Gull has been reported in the area again in October and November 2024—and even in 2025—so you may want to make the trip.
November – American White Pelican
A familiar favorite returned to Florida’s Gulf Coast, brightening an otherwise quiet birding month. November was slow in Cedar Key, with only a handful of standout species to choose from—Whimbrel, Magnificent Frigatebird, American White Pelican, and American Avocet. In the end, we selected the American White Pelican as our Bird of the Month. We love watching these graceful birds migrate to Florida every winter, and their arrival always feels like a seasonal milestone.
December – Pearly-eyed Thrasher
A cruise stop in Bonaire delivered a long‑awaited Caribbean lifer. While exploring the island on a port day in the Caribbean Netherlands, we hired a local bird guide to make the most of our limited time. One of our stops in Kralendijk brought the moment we’d been hoping for: a Pearly‑eyed Thrasher, our target lifer for the day. Experiences like this are why we highly recommend hiring local guides when cruising, especially when time is short and every stop counts. Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/panama-aruba-bonaire-curacao-columbia-birding
Birding Highlights From an Incredible 2023
From rare vagrants to lifers across multiple states and countries, 2023 was a year filled with unforgettable birding moments. We hope this Bird of the Month recap inspires your own adventures and helps you discover new places to explore.
2023 Year Birds: 289 Life Birds: 14
Next Up: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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