Birding became one of the safest and most enjoyable outdoor activities during the early months of COVID‑19. With peak migration underway and many parks closed, we explored the Florida locations that remained open—finding warblers, raptors, life birds, and a much‑needed sense of normalcy.
Pinecraft Park: Chasing a Swainson’s Warbler
Pinecraft Park in Sarasota County was open, and we birded there twice. Both times, we were chasing the life bird, Swainson’s Warbler. Missed it on both trips, and the second by mere minutes. We met a nice Amish birding couple who showed us nesting Pileated Woodpeckers, and we pointed out a Barred Owl to them.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve: Migrants Close to Home
Boyrd Hill Nature Preserve was also open and close to home. Mostly the usual suspects, but we also saw a few migrants, including Great-crested Flycatcher, White-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, and a Northern Waterthrush. This is a great place to see baby gators in the spring.
Fort DeSoto: Roadside Birding and a Florida Life Bird
Fort DeSoto Park is often called the mecca of migratory birding. The main park was closed, so we had to stay in the boat launch and areas off the main road. While looking for Common Ground-doves, we found a cooperative Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Maybe we should bird along the road more often. One of my birding buddies, Dick Snell, sent me a text alerting us to an Upland Sandpiper in the field by the boat launch. Score another Florida life bird.
Dunedin Hammock Park: Urban Woodland Migration Hotspot
Dunedin Hammock City Park is a very nice urban woodland area with several trails, a butterfly garden, and disc golf. This was our first time visiting, and we were surprised by the variety of migrant birds there. Best finds were Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Indigo Buntings, and a small mixed flock of warblers. It was a five-raptor day with Osprey, Red-shouldered and Short-tailed Hawks, Swallow-tailed Kite, and Barred Owl.
Socially Distanced Dinner & Thrushes at Boca Ciega Millennium Park
All the restaurants had take-out only during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. My friend Jill and I have been meeting for dinner every few weeks since our college days. We decided to meet at Boca Ciega Millennium Park for some great food from the Chicken Salad Chick. There were many thrushes in the picnic area, and we saw Veery, Grey-cheeked, and Swainson’s. After a trip around the boardwalk, we could hear the Chucks-wills-widow in the surrounding woods. Listen to my recording here: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/229706671.
Family Birding at George C. McGough Nature Park
Next was our first birding trip with our great-nieces at George C. McGough Nature Park. This was a perfect way to see family during the COVID-19 pandemic. The park has a turtle pond and a boardwalk out to the intercoastal waterway. We saw a few shorebirds and herons, and a nice American Redstart along the trail through the woods. We shared our eBird list with our niece Angel and hope she keeps birding.
A Strange Spring, Still Full of Birds
Even with closures and restrictions, spring migration delivered memorable sightings across Florida. From one Florida life bird to family birding outings, these moments brought connection and calm during an uncertain time. With 20 eBird lists and 121 species recorded, this unusual spring still became one to remember.
Trip Summary:
Trip Totals: 121 species • 46 year birds • 1 Florida life birds
Next Up: South Carolina to Pennsylvania
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