By: Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

This Brown Noddy built the largest nest I have ever seen with lots of seaweed and sticks	Masked Booby birds with eggs on Hospital Key

May Bird Blog

May is a month I normally spend in Alaska, but this summer I elected to stay on the Yankee Freedom II as a naturalist until Mid-July, returning in early September. I am excited to see the Masked Booby chicks grow and to see the Roseate and Bridled terns nest, but probably most excited to watch the Sooty terns prepare their chicks for departure to the waters off Africa where these young birds will live over the open ocean eating fish and drinking seawater for three to five years.

May is a transition month for bird watching. The last hard push of migrants head to the breeding grounds and the last stragglers struggle to make their way north. May brings some of the most beautiful warblers; Magnolia and Black throated Blue .

Black throated Blue Warbler

After birding in April, May is sort of a letdown. There are still awesome birds but in much fewer numbers. Bird watching now requires more searching but many good species are still found.

Week of May 3^rd

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

Many Yellow-billed Cuckoos’ are present. They can be flushed easily by walking through the paradeground. You can watch where the birds land and approach them again. Many of the Caribbean winter migrants are moving north now including the Black throated Blue and Blackpoll Warblers.

Blackpoll Warbler

Gray checked Thrush is common now instead of Swainson’s Thrush and an occasional Veery is sighted.

Grey cheeked Thrush

Dove’s; Mourning and Eurasian-collard are commonly seen. Redstarts are abundant all over Garden Key.

Week of May 10^th

Strong easterly winds prevail which always slows bird watching. Magnolia, Black throated Blue and Blackpoll Warblers are present. Redstarts are everywhere but mostly younger birds and very few males. Yellow-billed Cuckoos are still seen but in fewer numbers. Bobolinks head north now – look for them feeding in grasses on the drain field for the sewage treatment plant located in the paradeground. A few swallow still wander north as well including Barn Tree, Cliff and Northern Rough wing. A Merlin is in the Buttonwoods in the paradeground from time to time.

Merlin

Week of May 17^th

Black-necked Stilts

A pair of Black-necked Stilts were observed on the beach of Bush Key. They actually flew over Fort Jefferson where they were originally seen, landing later on Bush Key. Stilts and Avocets, seen rarely in the Tortugas, are always a stunning sight.

Bridled Terns are spotted from time to time in Rebecca Channel approaching and leaving Fort Jefferson.

Bridled terns will lay their egg under the coral where the young chicks can hide from predators and the sun

They are also spotted near man made coral huts on Long Key where they will be nesting in coming weeks.

Bridled tern guarding egg. The adults stand guard over the egg and later young chicks

Roseate terns are frequently observed feeding in groups of Brown Noddy terns. Unlike Sooty and Brown Noddy terns that pluck fish from the water’s surface, Roseates dive into the water to catch their fish. These terns appear to always be busy and active, dainty in flight and purposeful in feeding.

Roseate terns	Roseate tern – Bird on right has fish for chicks
Roseate terns – Note: Non-breeding birds have dark bill, Breeding birds have red bill

Sooty terns are lining their chicks up along the beaches and flying lessons are commencing.

Sooty tern chick newly hatched	Sooty tern chick several days old. Tern chicks hatch in early March and now in May, prepare to fly for 3 – 5 years
Sooty chick ready to fly

The chicks are fat. Wing-stretching and exercise with short flights will help strengthen their muscles for flight. It is amazing to watch the young chicks encouraged by their parents to flap and flap and suddenly realize they can fly. Flying lessons continue daily and eventually inside Fort Jefferson overhead you can hear parents and chicks discuss flying skills. Much effort is devoted to flying and learning feeding skills because by early to mid-July, the young chicks will head out to sea on their own, while the parents will leave for open ocean waters of the Bahamas and Caribbean. By late May on warm days, parents and chicks soar high on thermals in huge flocks preparing for life at sea. It is truly an amazing sight to see the birds soar effortlessly through the sky for hours at a time.

Sooty adults and chicks group on the beach for flying lessons

Week of May 24^th

Young pelicans use their mother’s backside to shade themselves from the hot sun

A trip over Bush Keys finds numerous young Pelicans have hatched. The young birds are quite a sight. Three eggs were laid per nest and all three chicks hatched but it appears all but one chick will die by several weeks old. The young Pelicans defend their nest area vigorously. Bridled terns have laid eggs and at least five nests have been identified. This is the newest bird species to nest in the Dry Tortugas and is exciting news for the park. Roseate terns have also laid eggs at the east end of Bush Key. The Roseates appear to have a very strong return this summer.

Several good friends from Alaska camped on Garden Key for several days in late May. Much time was devoted to birding and they were delighted to sight Warbling Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bobolinks, Merlin, Blackburian, Black-throated Blue, Blackpoll, Ovenbird and Magnolia Warblers.

Warbling Vireo

They also enjoyed kayaking over by Long Key to observe Frigatebirds, some fantastic snorkeling and fishing from Garden Key. The highlight of their trip was a kayak trip to Loggerhead Key to snorkeling in Little Africa – a reef on the west side of the island. Summer camping in the Dry Tortugas offers excellent opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling (both day and night) and star gazing.

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April birding is always a thrill in the Dry Tortugas and this April was no exception. Late March and early April were good, but the arrival of a large number of Merlins in early and mid April did result in death for many migrants. Late April was awesome – 92 species in 3 days (23 were warblers).

Week of March 22^nd

First adult Northern Gannets observed on ferry ride to Dry Tortugas heading north to the breeding grounds. Peregrine and Merlin are being seen in the paradeground. An Upland Sandpiper is feeding on the septic drainfield in the paradeground and joined later in the week by Pectoral Sandpipers.

Upland Sandpiper

The first Ruby throated Hummingbird of spring. Lots of LA Waterthrush, Black whiskered Vireo, Yellow throated Vireo and a few Parula Warblers. On March 24^th birding really picked up.

Yellow throated Vireo

Rain storms brought many birds including Wood Thrush, Gray Kingbird, Hooded, Black & White, Yellow throated, Prairie, Prothonatary , LA and Northern Waterthrush and Worm eating Warblers, lots of Hummingbirds – White eyed, Red eyed, Yellow throated & Black whiskered Vireos.

Prothonatary

Yellow crowned Night Herons – numerous in the paradeground and sleeping the Buttonwood trees. Purple Martins, Northern Rough Wing, Tree and Barn Swallows swoop thru the fort and occasionally rest. Mast Booby birds have chicks on Hospital Key. Week of March 29^th

Strong east winds lead to the departure of many migrants. Yellow throated Vireo are singing. Gray and Eastern Kingbird common.

Gray and Eastern Kingbird common

A Solitary Sandpiper was seen as well as a Blue Grosbeak and Blue winged Warbler. Late in the week serious watching for the Black Noddy begins with little success. On Saturday there was a Mockingbird, Cape May Warbler and Merlins (at least 12) as well as Peregrines and Cooper’s Hawk.

Cape May Warbler

Merlins

A new group of Sooty Tern seem to be arriving to nest at the east end of Bush Key. Week of April 5^th

East winds and Merlins continue to slow birding. Gray Kingbird common, Black & White Warblers abundant and first Tennessee Warblers. On March 10^th, the Florida Keys Audubon took place. Results will be in the next blog. New Warblers this week include Black throated Blue and Redstart. Spotted Sandpiper was seen on the beach. Summer Tanangers and Yellow billed Cuckoos arrive.

Week of April 12^th

Strong east winds continue and our Thursday trip was cancelled due to high wind gusts. Merlins continue to eat – almost all the Yellow rumped Warblers (fearless for months in the paradeground) are gone. A Wood Thrush hides near a thick limb in the Gumbo Limbo tree for hours. Even the bird fountain unsafe because of the agile fast Merlin. This week did bring Blue headed Vireo, a bird not seen frequently in the Tortugas.

Week of April 19^th

Weather has improved and many of the Merlins have finally traveled north. Roseate Terns are sighted on the Rebecca Channel marker, soon to begin nesting in the Tortugas and in Marathon atop the county office complex. Painted Buntings, lots of Indigo Buntings , Dicksissels and Bobolinks have arrived.

Indigo Buntings

Thrushes are quite common – Wood, Swainson’s, a few Gray Cheeked, and Veery. Both Summer and Scarlet Tanangers , Blue and Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Eastern and Gray Kingbird, Barn, Tree, Northern rough winged Sparrow are here.

Scarlet Tanangers

A Lincoln’s Sparrow was observed in the old foundation to the enlisted men’s barracks. Warblers include LA and Northern Waterthrush, Hooded , Black throated Blue, Cape May , Black & White, Worm eating, Ovenbird, Tennessee, Common Yellow throat, Prothonatary, Swainson’s Prairie, Palm and on Saturday a Blackburnian was seen in Searocket flowers along the beach, and also a Kentucky.

Hooded Warbler

Cape May Warbler

A Greater Yellowlegs was on top of the fort. A Chimney Swift was a new bird this week. Very abundant were Bobolink and Red-eyed Vireo . On April 21^st, a Black billed cuckoo slept in the Mahoe tree over the fountain all day – much to all the birders delight.

Red Eyed Vireo

Black Billed Cuckoo

A Wilson’s Phalarope was seen near the south coaling dock. Spotted, Least, and Semipalmated Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plovers were observed along Bush Key beaches. Week of April 26th

A weak cold front blew through the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas on Monday and the birding became excellent. Lots of Bobolinks and Dicksissels. New Warblers include Chestnut sided and Yellow and still more Tennessee. Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Scarlet and Summer Tanangers, Rose breasted Grosbeaks, Red-eyed and Black whiskered Vireos are fighting over the last berries in the Gumbo Limbo trees. A Western Kingbird joins the Eastern and Gray Kingbirds in treetops. On the beaches are Lesser Yellowlegs and Pectural Turnstones and Sanderlings. Bridled Terns are being seen almost daily in Rebecca Channel.

Bridled Tern

Warblers include Kentucky, Black & White, Blackpoll, Parula, Hooded, Palm, Yellow-rump, Prairie, LA and Northern Waterthrush, Worm Gating, Chestnut sided, Cape May, Redstart, Magnolia , Yellow, Black throated Blue, Black throated Green, Blackburnian, Prothonotury, Overnbird and Swainson’s.

Magnolia Warbler

A Cerulean Warbler was reported although I did not see the bird. Nighthawks sleep on many tree branches both common and Antillian. Catbirds have arrived in abundance and feast on Ranger Tree’s tomato plants. Veery and Gray checked Thrush now outnumber wood and Swainson’s, Yellow-billed Cuckoo’s are in almost every tree in the paradeground and campground.

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

Sitting by the bird fountain in the paradeground can be a thrilling experience, especially with a camera. A Pomarine Jaegar was sighted on our return trip to Key West on Wednesday.

This Bonapartes Gull was seen in the harbor along Yankee Freedom II on March 17^th.

Bonapartes Gull

April is just such an awesome month to schedule a day or camping trip to the Dry Tortugas for bird migration.  The weather is definitely a determining factor for fall outs.  Any rain event can result in new birds just as quickly as the sun shines.  Camping allows you the time to really enjoy your birding experience, especially for the photographers.  Renting a kayak will allow you closer access to the Frigatebird colony on Long Key and Bush Key with the nesting Sooty and Brown Noddy turns.  We welcome birders on the Yankee Freedom II.  Remember to request your captain to take you by Hospital Key to view the Masked Booby birds. They have young chicks in April.  Happy birding and we look forward to seeing you in the Yankee Freedon II.  Call our Reservations office at 800-634-0939 to secure your camping time and any kayak rental arrangements.

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Week of February 14^th: Snipe were consistently sited in the Parade Ground. A few Killdeer were arriving as well. Masked Booby birds appeared to be nesting on Hospital Key. The first Prairie Warbler was spotted on February 16^th. I saw lots of Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers, especially in the Parade Ground.

Week of February 21^st: Northern Parula Warblers arrived. A Yellow-throated Warbler was seen in the Sea Rocket flowers near the NE coaling dock. A Swallow Tailed Kite soared over Fort Jefferson. Heron migration was commencing – Little Blues, a few Great Whites and many Great Egrets. Cattle Egrets have frequented the Parade Ground.

The last week of February brought the first Swallow and a Purple Martin. A Cave Swallow joined many Tree and Barn Swallows. Snipes were still in the Parade Ground, especially when it was wet. Nighthawks were heard at sunset. Yellow-crowned Night Herons were roosting both inside the Parade Ground and out by the SW coaling dock.

Early March: I assisted the National Park Service in a vegetative survey and egg count on Bush Key. On the 10^th, the first Sooty Tern chicks were hatching and a surprising number of Noddy’s have nested early. 84 Frigatebird nests were counted and many chicks were observed. The Frigatebird colony is amazing. The chicks are an incredible sight. It is remarkable that they don’t fall out of the small sloppy nests. Nesting numbers are down as available space is limited. The Mangrove Trees on Long Key are still falling as a result of hurricanes in 2005.

The Crocodile is still active on Long Key. Many crocodiles died as a result of the cold weather in South Florida this season.

I search for a Limpkin as this bird was observed on Garden Key in 2008 and Bush Key in 2009. I had no success. Several Savannah Sparrows, a lone Prairie Warbler, a few Palm Warblers were observed on Bush Key. Several Yellow-crowned Night Herons and a few Great Blue Herons were observed on Long Key. One Northern Harrier was sighted.

While staying at Fort Jefferson, it was decided to check the owl burrow. It measured more than 5’ deep and opened to a wider area at the end of the burrow. The owls appear to have departed Bush Key. They were last seen in late February. One small chick was found dead on January 13^th. It appeared to have been attacked by rats. No other chicks were found and the female owl has not been spotted again.

Week of March 13^th: I spotted an Eastern Wood Pewee and there are still lots of Little Blue Herons and Yellow-crowned Night Herons.

On March 16^th I observed more Purple Martins arriving. Traveling into a strong northwest wind, many very tired Purple Martins are resting in the Dry Tortugas.

The Black and White and Northern Parula Warblers are glad to see the fountain working. There have been excellent viewing opportunities of Northern Rough Winged Swallow. Pomarine Jaegers are still being sighted near the Marquesas Islands.

On March 17^th, a rainstorm in the early morning resulted in an awesome mini fallout of birds highlighted by Vireos. We observed White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos as well as several of the stunningly beautiful Yellow-throated Vireos. A Sora Rail was chased across the parade ground by a Yellow-rumped warbler. The first Eastern Kingbird of the season rested on a pipe in the parade ground. Not many warblers yet, but they included several Louisiana Waterthrush, Black & White, Prairie, Palm, Yellow Rump and Northern Parula. One Yellow-billed Cuckoo was briefly observed. Purple Martins are everywhere. The “flying cigar” bird is joined by many swallows including Cave, Cliff, Northern rough wing, Tree and Barn.

The flooded parade ground hosted 8 noisy Killdeer, a Lesser Yellowlegs, a few Semipalmated Plovers and a small unidentified peep. A Eurasian-Collared Dove arrived and upon departure on Yankee Freedom II, there was a Bonaparate’s Gull right next to the ship.

On March 18^th a Robin was in the campground leaf duffle and it worked up Ruddy Turnstones who joined the Robin in sifting through the leaves.

On March 19^th a Sora was in the same leaf duffle with the Robin. A Greater Yellowlegs was in the picnic area and SW coaling dock. Several Louisiana Waterthrush are around now. Numerous Swallows and Purple Martins look for bugs. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker made a welcome arrival – a stunning bird in spring plumage!

On March 21^st a Merlin is spotted. Peregrine activities have been present on Bush Key. There have been few sightings of Falcons during winter and early spring – perhaps they are over on Loggerhead Key.

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Burrowing Owls have Babies

After two owls were found at Dry Tortugas National Park, speculation was made about possible nesting. A burrow was located but the second owl seemed to have disappeared. We searched hard during the Christmas bird count but it could not be located. On Jan 13^th, we discovered the owl that roosts daily in the powder magazine is “Dad”. “Mom” is in the burrow – which is too deep for us to see any chicks. One chick was found dead, probably attacked by a rat at the mouth of the burrow. I listen regularly for activity and the Park Rangers are watching, but the female and chicks have yet to be seen.

The 2009 Christmas Audubon bird count was Dec. 16^th. Thirty-four species were sighted. Brown Booby birds ruled. We saw so many; on Hospital Key, on navigational markers and in the air.

Native vegetation continues to improve on Loggerhead Key and birds of prey were found including Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-Shouldered Hawk and Peregrine Falcon.

Warblers were very absent. Only four species were observed: Yellow-rump, Prairie, Palm and Redstart. Sooty Terns were heard both nights of our stay but none were seen by day. A list of species observed and numbers follow:

A Sandhill Crane arrived in the parade ground on Dec. 19^th, 2009. Just in time to be included in our Audubon Christmas bird count week. The crane flew over to Bush Key after the ferry arrivals daily and returned in the afternoon. The crane died on Dec. 26^th but visitors were amazed with this interesting and large visitor blown south by a winter storm.

Two American Pipits were observed feeding on the drain field grasses of the parade ground in November. Unfortunately they were eaten by a hungry Peregrine Falcon prior to our Christmas bird count.

Windy winter days bring huge flocks of Northern Gannets migrating south. The adults are stunning large white birds with black wing tips and yellow heads. Mixed flocks of young birds (brown), birds molting to adult colors and adults are observed some days by the hundreds. Frequently, they are observed feeding – diving in a torpedo like fashion – tucking in their wings just before piercing the water surface cleanly – like Olympic divers. Tide changes will create color changes in the water – especially observed around the Marquesas Islands on our trip. Gannets frequently sit and feed along these areas.

The winter months also bring Jaegars to the Marquesas Island area. These birds, related to Squas – are always searching for gulls and terns. They steal fish from them and sometimes the aerial displays are awesome. A few weeks ago I observed a Pomerine Jaegar attack a large gull. The gull was able to resist the attack, sending the Jaeger into a tailspin – recovering just before hitting the water. Then he looked up at the huge Yankee Freedom II fast approaching him and flew away just in time to avoid collision. On winter days, especially windy ones, many Jaegars can be sighted. I saw 20 on a late December trip.

Our three regular winter visitors, two Whimbrels and a Willet have been with us since October. Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings rule the beaches. The south coal dock pilings have Pelicans, Royal Terns, Black Skimmers, Sandwich Tern and sometimes Double-crested Cormorants. On the north coaling docks and along the wet end of Bush key there are often Black-bellied Plovers.

When the weather turns warm Black Skimmers will actually lie down and sleep. An amazing sight – looking dead, the Skimmers will rest, head down, wings spread on the warm sandy beach.

I was fortunate to be sitting in the cabin of Yankee Freedom II in December when a large concentration of bait fish swam along the shoreline creating a feeding frenzy of Pelicans, Gulls and Terns coming from every direction. The bait fish were actually driven up on the sandy beaches by the birds.

January 14, 2010 was an exciting event for me – a life bird for my Tortugas list to add to the Sandhill Crane – Smooth-billed Ani. Quite photogenic. Unless he flew over to Loggerhead, he didn’t stay long, only two days. He was probably headed south for warmer weather. It was extremely cold in South Florida in early January. What an interesting sight. The Smooth-billed Ani is a most bizarre looking bird.

January has also brought large numbers of Yellow rumped Warblers to the parade ground of Fort Jefferson, joining the Palm Warblers which are present year round. With a little effort one can usually locate both the Eastern and Western race of Palm Warblers. The Eastern has a much brighter yellow plumage on the chest.

The 1^st week of February, 2 Killdeer arrived to the parade ground and a Snipe was observed after a rainstorm.

The Sooty Terns arrived late (Feb. 8^th) for their spring nesting. They are joined by a large number of Noddy Terns and the colony is growing in numbers daily now. Eggs have been laid by Sooty’s and a few migratory Herring Gulls can be found feeding on the eggs, creating chaos in the colony.

The bird fountain in the parade ground of Fort Jefferson is repaired and functioning. As migration commences, this is a great area to watch for Warblers and other migrants.

Happy birding! Come and see us soon for excellent spring birding. New migrants are arriving daily.

Photo Credits to Julie Marcero for Photos 2,6,7,8,9,10,15,16,19 & 20

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By: Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

Fall migration landed a big surprise for Fort Jefferson guests. First, a single Burrowing Owl was observed sleeping every day in the main powder magazine inside Fort Jefferson. A burrow was observed and the search began for a second owl. It’s presence has been verified and now the wait begins to see if the owls will mate and lay eggs, and perhaps raise chicks in the parade ground. It could be a very exciting event for winter and spring visitors this season.

The owls have been heard hunting at night by park rangers – this species is very vocal. They feed on small rodents, insects such grasshoppers and beetles and frogs and geckos.

Burrowing Owls reside year round in South Florida and the Caribbean. Breeding owls from Canada and the Northern US migrate in winter to Mexico and South Florida as well. Burrowing Owls are known to live 9 – 10 years.

Follow this blog over the winter and spring for updates on the Burrowing Owls at Dry Tortugas.

The 11^th Annual Birding and Wildlife Festival field trip to Dry Tortugas on Sept. 28, 2009 was another success. Larry Manfreidi (www.southfloridabirding.com) led the crew again and his talents are much appreciated by all who attend. A spectacular weather day gave us a perfect ride to Dry Tortugas National Park. We stopped at Hospital Key to see Masked and Brown Booby birds. Hopefully they will nest on Hospital Key this season – last year they selected Middle Key and had a nesting failure from storm surge.

41 species of birds were sighted on our trip – highlighted by a Canada Warbler, American Golden Plover, Chestnut-sided Warbler and an American Avocet. A great time was had by all and Larry Manfreidi was excellent at helping all the birders with each individual bird sighting. Follow the Birding Festival online for next fall’s trip. A species list from the festival follows.

Fall also offers the opportunity to observe large numbers of hawks and falcons as they move south. These birds of prey travel on thermals and avoid open waters – funneling thru the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas to Cuba and westward across the Yucatan passage to Central and South American. This season Peregrine Falcon, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk were predominate but other common observed species included Kestrel, Merlin, Cooper’s Hawk and Short-tailed Hawk.

The Peregrine’s came first – arriving to Key West and waiting for the perfect thermals to carry them over water to Cuba. This path can include the Dry Tortugas – with both landings and large numbers of birds circling overhead on thermals. Ruddy Turnstones and migrating warblers fear for their lives and visitors enjoy the fastest of all birds – the peregrine – capable of stooping at speeds up to 200 miles/hr swooping thru the walls of Fort Jefferson.

The largest numbers of the hawks arrive later. Many travel to the Florida Keys in kettles of Turkey Vultures. A kettle is a large group of Turkey Vultures – masters of thermal riding – coming south to winter in the Florida Keys. The hawks take advantage of this talent of Turkey Vultures and mix in with them to journey south. However, hawks are on their own past Key West as Turkey Vultures do not venture over open ocean waters. Only an occasional fall cold front will push Turkey Vultures as far as the Dry Tortugas. Sharp-Shinned Hawks travel thru the Tortugas well into November – a small species – Sharp shins can maneuver thru tree branches at high speeds to catch small birds and amaze visitors at both speed and agility.

November boat trips bring the return of migrating Northern Gannets – adults and juveniles. Some days, hundreds are observed feeding and heading south. The Northern Gannet is a diving seabird – like the Booby Bird – capable of tucking it’s wings in a torpedo like fashion – piercing the water cleanly and diving to depths as much as 90’ to catch fish. Adults are brilliant white with black wing tips and yellow heads. Juveniles are brownish. Flocks can be mixed adults and juveniles and many of the younger birds winter in the Gulf of Mexico and waters in and around the Dry Tortugas.

Pomarine Jaeger’s are often seen around the Marquesas Islands and occasionally at Dry Tortugas. This bird, like the magnificent Frigatebird gets it’s food by stealing it from other birds. Flocks of gulls and terns feeding near the Marquesas are frequently robbed of their meal by a greedy Jaegar. Jaegers are also seen sitting on the water in this area.

November was an unusually rainy month in the Dry Tortugas. I observed a Wilson’s Snipe in a wet area of the parade ground. It could hide itself by crouching in the grass with which it blended almost perfectly. Numerous people walked near it without ever seeing the bird. There are still a few migrating warblers- Magnolia, Yellow-rumped and Redstard are most common. Two (2) American Pipits were spotted on the drainfield inside Fort Jefferson but were eaten a hungry Peregrine Falcon.

Join us soon for an exciting day of bird watching on Yankee Freedon II. My schedule on the boat is Tues, Wed, Thurs. If you have a special interest in birds join me, Deb Hess, on one of these weekdays. The Yankee Freedom II runs daily to Dry Tortugas National Park everyday except Christmas.

2009 BIRDING FESTIVAL CHECKLIST

American Avocet

American Golden Plover

American Redstart

Baltimore Oriole

Bank Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-bellied Plover

Bobolink

Brown Booby

Brown Pelican

Canada Warbler

Cattle Egret

Chestnut sided Warbler

Cliff Swallow

Common Yellowthroat

Double-crested Cormorant

Eastern Kingbird

Great Egret

Green Heron

Hooded Warbler

Kentucky Warbler

Laughing Gull

Magnificent Frigatebird

Magnolia Warbler

Masked Booby

Northern Parula

Northern Waterthrush

Ovenbird

Palm Warbler

Peregrine Falcon

Prairer Warbler

Ruddy Turnstone

Sanderling

Sandwich Tern

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Swainson’s Thrush

Whimbrel

White Ibis

Willet

Yellow Warbler

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Terns are certainly one of the amazing wonders of the bird world.  Most stunning is the migration of the Arctic Tern yearly from the Arctic to Antarctic and back.  This summer while catching lots of King Salmon at a remote fish camp on the Nushagak River (this river drains to Bristol Bay – Alaska’s premier sockeye salmon fishery)  I was mesmerized by Arctic Terns.  Both eye- and ear-catching, busy, always busy guarding their young and catching fish to fatten the chicks for the long flight south.  Bills, legs and feet turn blood red during breeding season making them striking in appearance and sharp in call.

Arctic Terns

Arctic Terns

The Dry Tortugas has four species of oceanic (open ocean home) terns that utilize these remote islands for summer nesting.  Some terns reside along our shorelines – like Royal Terns in the Tortugas.  All terns feed on fish and sea life but some choose to live far out to sea, coming to shore only to breed.  Fortunately for bird watchers and nature enjoyers the Dry Tortugas offer a unique opportunity to observe these 4 species of oceanic terns on land: Sooty, Noddy, Bridled and Roseate Tern.

Sooty Tern

Noddy Tern

Bridled Tern

Sootys on Nesting Site

Most famous in the Tortugas is the Sooty Tern – mariners, naturalists and explorers have been captivated by the Sooty Colony since the islands were discovered by Ponce de Leon.  The Sooty Tern is simply a magnificent flying machine.  The chicks after just a few month of life choose to leave Mom and Dad behind and embark on a journey to the waters off South Africa where upwelling produces large numbers of fish for food.  The young Sootys will spend 3-5 years here meeting Sootys from other tropical colonies around the world.  This species has no natural weatherproofing in its feathers and can’t sit on the water – thus it spends most of its life aloft – even sleeping while flying.  Living over 20 – 30 years, these birds will reach sexual maturity at about 5 years and then return to a life over seas closer to breeding areas in remote islands throughout the tropics.  Here they lay a single egg in a scrape in the sand.  Males and females alternate sitting on the egg with feeding out to sea in about 12 hour shifts, later regurgitating fish for the chicks.  It is not uncommon for these birds to travel 100 or more miles on a feeding trip to sea.

Audubon described the Sooty colony at the Dry Tortugas at 250,000 birds in the 1830s, a striking sight in spring and summer.  Now the population stands around 30,000 – 50,000.  Hurricanes in recent years have significantly declined the population.  Enjoy these Terns on Bush Key in the Tortugas from February to late July or early August.

Sooty with Chicks

Amazing – Sooty flying while looking upwards

Sootys on Bush Key

Noddy Terns will join the Sooty Terns on Bush Key in springtime for nesting.  Noddys however build a stick nest decorated with seashells and seaweed.  These birds tend to stay in groups especially out to sea and feed by diving or picking fish from the surface.

Noddy Terns

Noddy Terns

Noddys are named for nodding at each other both in courtship and in nesting.  Noddys can be seen in spring and early summer along the shoreline of Bush Key collecting sticks, seaweed and shells for their nests.  Elaborate nodding occurs at the nest site and in courtship and is fascinating to watch.

Roseate Terns feed by plunge diving – more typical of Terns overall – but unique among the four nesting Tortugas Terns.  Roseate Terns were known to nest in the Tortugas in the past but the colony wasabandoned.  They also nested in coral rubble along the reefline south of Key West but this area was left submerged by hurricanes.  Five years ago a combined effort by National Park Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation biologists produced a plan to use decoys and a sound recording of a Roseate Tern colony in New England to try to reestablish the breeding colony in the Dry Tortugas.  The program has been successful and 30 to 40 pair have nested the last several summers in the Dry Tortugas.  These birds prefer the coral rubble on the east end of Bush Key and in the north side of Long Key.

Roseate Terns

Roseate Terns

Roseate Terns were hunted heavily by plume hunters and their eggs are considered to be and aphrodisiac in the Bahamas and Caribbean.  This species is also waning in population.  Today Roseate Terns nest in the Tortugas and also on the roof of the government center in Marathon in summer.  They also nest along the shoreline of New England and Nova Scotia.  The yound are quickly fledged – first flight occurs in 27 to 30 days but the young can leave the nest after just a few days.

Roseate Terns

Roseate Terns

Two year ago biologists observing the Roseate Tern colony were surprised and pleased to learn that several pairs of Bridled Tern were nesting in coral rubble near the Roseate colony.  These Terns are commonly sighed in Gulf Stream waters but were not known to breed in the Tortugas.  Bridled Terns look similar to Sooty Terns but are lighter in the back and longer.

Bridled Tern – note charcoal back

Bridled Tern

Unlike Sootys who like to stay aloft, Bridled Terns are frequently spotted sitting on sticks and flotsam.  Neither Sooty, Noddy, nor Bridled Terns plunge dive for fish like the Roseate Tern.  With the modern development of many offshore islands a lot of pelagic Terns have lost nesting habitat.  The Tortugas remain a very viable breeding opportunity for these four tern species and more pelagic birds.

Watch for Sooty and Noddy Terns on Bush Key from February to late July or early August.  The Roseates nest at the east end of Bus Key and the north side of Long Key in June through August.  Bridled Terns were spotted in late April and stay until chicks are fledged in late July or early August.  Flyovers by all these species will occur on Garden Key (home of the majestic Fort Jefferson) during the summer months.

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Birdwatchers at fountain in parade ground of Ft. Jefferson – a great place to spot warblers and more.

A spring surprise Black-Necked Stilt

By: Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

Spring birdwatching at the Dry Tortugas National Park remains excellent and as summer approaches snorkeling reaches its peak.  Late spring trips on Yankee Freedom II offer excellent opportunities for both snorkeling and birdwatching on a single day trip.  Sea turtles are mating in Florida Keys’ waters now and especially just west of the Marquesas Islands (which lie west of Key West and are passed on our journey to the Dry Tortugas) sometimes hundreds of turtles are spotted.  It’s the perfect nature combination – birds, fish, and sea turtles.  Female turtles will be headed to the Dry Tortugas to lay their eggs all summer.  Dry Tortugas National Park is the most significant nest area for the Loggerhead Turtle in North America.

Warblers continue on their northbound routes.  Blackpoll, American Redstart, Ovenbird and Black-Throated Blue are common sightings.  Birders have been finding the Black Noddy Tern

Brown and Black Noddy Terns – notice the smaller size of the Black Noddy. (image courtesy of Larry Manfreidi, southfloridabirding.com)

on the north coaling dock.  Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds visit the orange flowers of the Geiger trees in the parade ground of Fort Jefferson.  Nighthawks and Chuck Wills Widow

Chuck Wills Widow in Buttonwood Branch

frequently sleep on tree branches during the day.  Always watch carefully for Caribbean Short-Eared Owl in the treetops or along the top sides of the fort in the grasses.  Watch for Dicksissel, Bobolink, Indigo and Painted Bunting and Blue Grosbeak feeding on grass seeds.  Cooper’s and Sharp-Shinned Hawks also patrol the parade ground – such agile fliers – and hungry for small birds.  Sooty and Noddy Terns are still nesting on Bush Key – young Sooty Terns are fledging now.

Sooty Carcass from Peregrine Predation

Peregrine Falcons stop in Tortugas for a snack on Sooty Terns and Merlins leave bird carcasses in the parade ground of Fort Jefferson.  Masked Booby can sometimes be observed feeding on Flying Fish – their torpedo-like dive is a spectacular sight.

Crew hooking up solar panel to power Roseate Tern calls.

Crew with decoys complete for Roseate Terns

Roseate Tern decoys and sound calls were installed on Long Key April 24th by National Park Service and Florida Fish & Wildlife Service personnel.  Roseate Terns once nested in the Dry Tortugas and have returned here thanks to a little artificial enticement in recent years.  The last two summers Bridled Terns have nested here as well – this was a first for the Dry Tortugas National Park

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Bridled Tern pair on Long Key

Two pair of Bridled Terns were observed on Long Key while Roseate Tern decoys were being set up.  The Bridled Tern looks very similar to a Sooty Tern – however their call is quite different.  The tail of a Bridled Tern is a single white point – in a Sooty Tern it is two points and the body of a Bridled Tern is longer and grayer on the top.  They also fly distinctly different – the Bridled Tern has a slower more graceful sweep of the wings.  Watch closely during summer months – especially over Long Key to the left of the Magnificent Frigatebird colony for these birds.

Bridled Tern House

They seem to prefer to nest in large coral rubble in cave-like areas.  Several were constructed and used last season.

On April 18, 2009 the Florida Keys Audobon Society hosted its annual fundraising event “Birdathon.”  I was very proud to represent the Yankee Freedom II and to enlist the aid of our passengers that day in finding 64 species of birds on our trip to Dry Tortugas National Park.  Thirteen species of birds were unique in the Florida Keys count to our trip.  The “Birdathon” total for the Florida Keys was 165 species – outdoing last year’s total of 101 and raising over $4000 for Florida Keys Audobon, and still more to come.

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By: Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

Spring bird watching in the Dry Tortugas is always good but once every couple of years a major lightning storm especially during the evening hours will cause literally hundreds of migrants to search out any point of land.  This happened on Tuesday evening April 14, 2009 and the Dry Tortugas was flooded with birds.  Warblers, thrushes, buntings, cuckoos and falcons to name a few.  Good bird watching turns into a birder’s paradise and stayed so for several days.

The campground area of Garden Key was especially rewarding.  An Acadian Flycatcher cruised the buttonwoods.  There ground was covered by Gray-cheeked, Swainson’s, and Wood Thrush, and Veery as well.  Warblers were everywhere – a list follows but Blue-winged warbler topped the list.  Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Summer and Scarlet Tanangers amazed the campers.

Inside Fort Jefferson an Upland Sandpiper patrolled the paradeground.  Merlins were everywhere (at least 7 were counted) as well as Peregrine and Kestrel.  The brightly colored birds – Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet and Summer Tanangers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak feared for their lives.  A Pectoral Sandpiper landed in the open grass of the parade ground and lasted all of 15 minutes before becoming lunch for the Merlin.

Carefully looking through each tree in the parade ground and sitting at the bird fountain revealed Sora Rail, Green Heron, lots of Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, Indigo and Painted Buntings, Bobolink, White and Red Eyed, Black Whiskered and even Yellow-Throated  Vireos.  And the list goes on.

Cruising the skies were Barn, Tree, Bank, Cliff and Northern Roughwinged Swallows, Chimney Swifts and Purple Martins.  Raptors flew also – the previously mentioned Falcons, Cooper’s, Shar-Shinned and Broad-Winged Hawks, Northern Harrier, and even Swallow-Tailed Kite.

Masked Booby over Middle Key

Masked Booby over Middle Key

On a sad note – the Masked Booby colony nesting on Middle Key this season had a nesting failure – the eggs over washed by a spring storm.  However, on a brighter note over 81 birds were counted – a new record for the Dry Tortugas and considering that in the early 1980s only a few pair of Masked Booby were first recorded breeding in the Tortugas – good progress is being made with nesting success.  It will be interesting to watch the health of Hospital and Middle Keys in terms of sand accumulation this summer.  An additional bright note – visits to Middle Key by the Yankee Freedom II to observe the Masked Booby have revealed large numbers of Brown Booby on the island as well.

On Bush Key the Sooty Colony appears to be doing quite well.  Many of the earliest chick are close to fledging and in many areas of the island more Sootys are still laying eggs.  The Noddy Terns are just starting to hatch the first chicks this week (April 20th).

Noddy Terns on Nest with Egg

Noddy Tern on Nest – Note Shell Decorations

Noddy Tern with Newborn Chick

Noddy Tern on New Chick (note broken shell in foreground from recent hatching)

Noddy Tern Chick

Pelicans are finally nesting again – 7 nests in mangrove debris.  These birds have not nested since 2004 because of storm damage in the summer of 2005.

Brown Pelican on Nest (note beautiful breeding color)

Cape May Warbler on Sea Grape Flower

Warblers observed April 14-20, 2009:
Blue-Winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-Crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-Sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Blackthroated Blue Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson’s Warbler
Yellowthroated Warbler
Prarie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black and White Warbler
American Redstart
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Hooded Warbler

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Bird bathing at the Dry Torugas National Park.

By: Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

Alert to all birdwatchers: Spring Migration is underway in Dry Tortugas National Park. Three members of the Audobon Society (Elizabeth Ignoffo, Ellen Westbrook, and Dan Saus) have repaired the bird fountain in the paradeground of Fort Jefferson just in time for migratory warblers and more. The birds are rejoicing by bathing and drinking. Although the repairs are probably temporary – the fountain should function through the spring migratory season of 2009, delighting thousands of visitors to the Park especially bird watchers. The fountain provides an easy place to observe multiple species of warblers and other birds as well.

Back view of the bird bathing at the Dry Tortugas.

Bird fountain

Members of Audobon Society repairing bird fountain.

Members of Audobon Society posing for a picture by the bird fountain.

On Thursday Feb. 20th I traveled to Middle Key with N.P.S. rangers to count and observe the Masked Booby colony. A record 65 Masked Boobys were observed – and although probably nesting – no chicks were seen on the island.

On Tuesday Feb. 24th I departed Key West on the Fort Jefferson (the Dry Tortugas National Park supply vessel) for a yearly, nest and egg survey of Bush Key and the Sooty and Brown Noddy Tern colony.

Brown Noddys arrive later than Sootys and these birds are just starting nest construction. The Noddys are amazing to watch in courtship. Their name depicts their behavior – nodding and bowing to one another in greeting, nest construction and in mating.

Sooty Terns nest on the ground, laying their eggs shortly after arrival and sooty chicks were hatching over much of the western sections of Bush Key. Large numbers of Sooty Terns were setting up for egg-laying on the east end of Bush Key.

The central portions of Bush Key have limited vegetative cover and predation by migratory gulls has been intense in this area. New Sooty arrivals and renesting birds are utilizing the better cover of eastern Bush Key. Bush Key is gorgeous at this time, covered with flowering Sea Rocket plants.

Sooty Terns at the Dry Tortugas.

Sooty Terns

On Wednesday Feb. 26th one hundred and fourteen Magnificent Frigatebird nests were counted on Long Key (the highest number since the hurricanes of 2005). The Frigatebirds seem to be utilizing all available tree space in the mangroves of Long Key and considerable concern remains about the health of these trees as a result of hurricane damage in recent years.

Frigratebirds

The skies over the paradeground of Fort Jefferson have been filled with Purple Martins, Tree, Barn, Rough-winged, Cliff and Cave Swallows. A yellow-breasted Chat has been calling in the campground. Common Yellowthroat, Parula, and Orange-Crowned Warbler and Gnat Catchers have joined Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers in the campground. The cold front of Sunday March 1st brought a surprising sight to the Tortugas – a Cedar Waxwing. It was joined later by several American Redstart males. While working in the sooty colony a Least Sandpiper and Killdeer were observed along with the American Crocodile in shallow tidal pools between Long and Bush Key. More birds will be arriving daily and bird watchers will be treated to fallouts in all wind and rain events in the spring. March, April, and May outstanding times to visit Fort Jefferson.

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By: Debra Hess
Yankee Freedom II Naturalist

Six Sooty Terns were observed on January 17th cruising over Bush Key during the day and large numbers of Terns were heard calling at night during the Christmas Bird Count (Dec. 16-18).

The actual arrival of large numbers (several thousand) occurred around January 26th, and this is the earliest ever recorded for these Terns for their nesting season. Their arrival has coincided with several strong cold fronts which may spell disaster for the early egg laying. The Terns have been arriving earlier and earlier for nesting for about 15 years – researchers say Sooty Terns may be an indicator species for global warming. But those earlier arrivals leave the birds subject to egg predation from migrating gulls and the effects of springtime cold fronts stressing the colony.

Magnificent Frigatebirds are courting and laying eggs. November and December mark peak periods of courtship for this awesome bird and numerous birds were observed with eggs on the Christmas Bird Count. Male Frigatebirds build the nest and display for females. The females care for young at least a year – so females far outnumber males in the colony.

I departed Key West on Tuesday January 16 on the Fort Jefferson (the Dry Tortugas National Park Supply Vessel) with five other bird watchers (Sonny Bass, Elsa Alvear, Michelle Davis, Larry Manfreidi and Rafael Galvez) for the 2008 Christmas Bird Count.

It was a gorgeous day – clear and calm – and we enjoyed sightings of many Northern Gannets, several Pomarine Jaeger, Brown Booby, Magnificent Frigatebird, Laughing Gull, and Royal Tern. After arriving at Fort Jefferson we searched the parade ground and Garden Key, locating an Eastern Phoebe.

I had been seeing this bird for several weeks (as of February 3rd it was still at Fort Jefferson) and it is a new winter record for Dry Tortugas National Park. Unfortunately we could not locate an Eastern Wood Pewee which I had been seeing in previous weeks – which also would have been a new winter record.

We found several species of warbler including Palm, Yellow-rumped, Pine (these birds were a surprise as Pine Warblers are not well known in the Tortugas), Black throated Green, Northern Parula, and Common Yellow throat. All these warblers were seen again on Wednesday making them official for our count and Larry added an Orange-crowned Warbler as well.

Tuesday evening we heard Sooty Terns calling out over the Gulf of Mexico as they start staging for nesting season. They feed by day over the open ocean but start flying into the nesting area at night – first near and later over Bush Key. Hearing these birds this early probably means early nesting again this Spring.

Count day started with half our party (Michelle, Elsa and Rafael) traveling to Loggerhead Key. Their special birds included Piping Plover and Dickcissel – both excellent birds for the Dry Tortugas. Sonny, Larry and I birded first on Garden Key and later Bush and Long Key. Michelle had located an America Pipit
on Tuesday evening which we observed on the north coaling dock beach.

Two Whimbrels and a Willet were on the south coaling dock, also a Common Tern among the Royal Terns (the Common Tern is an unusual sighting in the Dry Tortugas).

An additional Common Tern was observed on Loggerhead Key.
Long Key found numerous Magnificent Frigatebirds with eggs and well over 90 nests – and many males displaying. We also observed a Great Blue Heron and numerous Yellow Crowned Night Heron. I located the American Crocodile that has been residing in the Tortugas for over 5 years between Long and Bush Keys in a tidal pool.

Bush Key has several Savannah Sparrows.

We all reunited for lunch and afterward we departed by boat to search Hospital, Middle, and East Keys. No Masked Booby were found on Hospital Key (normal nesting location in recent years) but near normal numbers were counted on Middle Key along with lots of Brown Booby. Hurricane Ike damaged Hospital Key – severely depleting it of sand – while Middle Key gained a lot of sand making it the choice for nesting Masked Booby this season. The Masked Booby appeared to be sitting on eggs but unfortunately it was quite breezy on Wednesday afternoon and sea conditions prevented us from landing on any of these islands. However, the rough sea conditions by the boundary markers of Dry Tortugas National Park produced a Cory Shearwater flyover which thrilled all of us. This was the first ever sighting of this bird on the Tortugas Christmas Count and an excellent sighting for the Tortugas.

Rough sea conditions that keep the birds airborne can produce excellent birding from the top deck of the Yankee Freedom II on the way to the Dry Tortugas including multiple sightings of Brown and Masked Booby, Northern Gannet (both immature and mature), Jagears (both Pomarine and Parasitic) and occasional sightings of Shearwaters (Cory and Audubon) or Petrels.

The Christmas bird count netted 41 species total, listed below:
Masked Booby, Brown Booby, Northern Gannet, Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Great Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-skinned Hawk, American Kestrel, Killdeer, Black-bellied Plover, Piping Plover, Willet, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Sooty Tern, Cory’s Shearwater (first for Dry Tortugas), White-winged Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebe, American Pipit, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler (two birds very rare here), Prarie Warbler, Palm Warbler (both eastern and western races), Common Yellowthroat, Dickcissel (first winter record for Dry Tortugas), Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow.

Other birds of interest in winter 2008 – 2009:
Jan. – Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Dec. – arrival of many Black Skimmers
Nov. – Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Phoebe

Photo Credits: Christmas Bird Count – LarryManfreidi@southfloridabirding.com; Frigatebird – Julie Marcero; additional photographs by Deb Hess.

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