Witnessing the Great Murmuration

Trip Date: March 2017 | Location: Florida

We have always wanted to see a murmuration—that breathtaking sight of hundreds, or even thousands, of birds moving together in ever-changing, synchronized patterns. Thanks to a tip on the Tampa Audubon Society Facebook page, we finally got our chance in Hillsborough County, Florida.

The Migration Begins

The first swallow species to migrate north, Tree Swallows are beautiful, iridescent blue-and-white birds. We were eager to catch them in action, so we arrived at the Cockroach Bay Preserve area and watched for about half hour. While the birds kept arriving, it didn’t feel quite like the massive spectacle we had hoped for. All the while, a spectacular sunset was unfolding behind us, painting the sky in brilliant hues.

The “Pepper Shaker” Effect

We decided to head further northeast on Gulf City Road to the intersection with Smilodon Trail. When we spotted a line of cars pulled over, we grabbed our binoculars and cameras and rushed to join the group. We huddled at the fence line just in time to see thousands of swallows bunching together into a massive, swirling cloud. Several experienced birders nearby whispered, “Wait for it,” hinting that something special was imminent.

Then, as if on cue, the swallows formed a tight funnel and, all at once, began diving to the ground in unison. It was like watching a giant pepper shaker in the sky dumping swallows until it was empty. We estimated at least 100,000 Tree Swallows in the murmuration. It was a truly profound sight for us and the several dozen other birders sharing the evening.

Why We Bird

Seeing a spectacle like this reminds us of the importance of community in birding: “If you see something, say something.” We are so grateful to the Tampa Audubon Society for the heads-up! It was an unforgettable experience, and we are already hoping to catch the murmuration again next year.

Trip Summary:

Trip Totals: 10 species • 0 life birds

Next up: Birding West Palm to Sebastian – exploring some of the best birding habitats along Florida’s east coast.