This was our first spring migration since moving to Florida’s Nature Coast, a very different experience from living just 15 minutes from Fort De Soto, one of the state’s best-known migration hotspots. We weren’t sure what to expect from our new home turf, but we were hopeful that April would bring something special.
A small cold front was expected on a Friday night in mid-April, which often leads to some weather changes. We decided to head to the Cedar Key Museum State Park early. This several-acre semi-wooded area is located along the island’s northwest waterfront. The park features the beautifully restored homestead of Saint Clair Whitman, who collected and displayed many local and Native American artifacts. Additionally, it has a plaque commemorating the naturalist John Muir, who visited Cedar Key in 1867 during his historic walk from Kentucky to Florida.
The flowering live oaks surrounding the house appeared to attract the most birds, although other trees along the park boundaries were also lively with activity. We encountered a longtime birder from Cedar Key, from whom we gained valuable local birding insights. In total, we observed 34 species, including 10 warbler species: Worm-eating, Black-and-white, Prothonotary, American Redstart, Cape May, Northern Parula, Yellow, Palm, Yellow-rumped, and Prairie Warblers. Other notable birds included Summer Tanager, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, as well as Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks. For us, this experience rivaled the excitement of the spring migration birds at Fort DeSoto.
eBird – Spreading the news
We immediately shared our findings on eBird, which attracted the attention of other birders at the museum the next morning. One of them was Eric Haney, a well-known birder from Pinellas County. Eric was working on a personal project to identify 100 bird species in each of Florida’s 67 counties. He had already spotted a Cerulean Warbler high in the oak trees. Eric is a dedicated birder, but he also takes the time to share his expertise and help others spot birds they may have missed. We informed him about the Great Horned Owl and Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Trestle Trail, as well as the Solitary Sandpipers at the Cedar Key Cemetery Boardwalk.
We continued birding in and around Cedar Key for the remainder of April. Nice additions were Veery, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Blackpoll, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The Gray Kingbirds were back, too.
One of the birders we met at the museum told us that Steinhatchee WMA is a reliable place for Swainson’s Warbler. While we did not see this bird, we were told the Great Dismal Swamp NWR in Norfolk, Virginia, is its breeding location. We will check it out on one of our trips north. We were happy to add a Swallow-tailed Kite in the WMA and a Mississippi Kite at Fanning Spring.
From warblers in the live oaks to kites soaring over the WMA, this spring migration delivered everything we hoped for on the Nature Coast. It set the tone for many more memorable seasons ahead.
Trip Birds: 90 Year Birds: 28 Life Birds: 0
Next Up: Bat Falcon – Texas — our hardest chase yet, and the unforgettable moment it finally appeared.
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