Yesterday the bird gave us extensive looks again, we were able to obtain photos that will be posted tonight. The bird was easy to locate by ear as it likes to do a dry call that Cornell describes as “pit-er-ick.”
This morning we went out to look for him again and found him within five minutes, the bird was vocalizing and sitting still for the majority of the time we saw it. Carl Edwards saw the bird this morning as well around 7:45am, his experience with the bird was very similar to RJ’s and ours.
The bird seems to be in a routine and may stay for a while. Parking is a problem on campus since most of the parking is reserved for students, faculty, and staff. We are researching where it would be best to park and walk the least amount, hopefully free parking but you may have to pay $1/hr to park in a visitor parking space.
If anyone still needs Western Tanager for a life, state or just as a bird-a-day effort the bird is an easy find. We will post a map to the location soon, stay posted.

Nature is Awesome
Angel & Mariel

After lunch today we took a walk around campus to see if any new birds came in with the cold front and were pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful male Western Tanager. The Tanager flew in as we were looking for Buntings and gave us incredible looks; we stood no more than 15 feet away as the Tanager foraged for fruit which enabled us to see all the definitive field marks. It was sporting some reminisce of the red on the face which is only a tinge now, bright, bold yellow wingbar with a second white wingbar was also noted as well as yellow on the nape, black back, wings and tail. What an unexpected life bird for us as this species has been a nemesis bird for some time now.
Along with the Tanager we saw one Painted Bunting but plenty more could be heard along with Indigo Buntings; we also had a Swainson’s Hawk drift over us as it flew south. BG Gnatcatcher, Black and White, Yellow-throated, Palm, and Yellow-rumped Warblers were making their presence known along with Blue-headed Vireos which were out in force today. All this in 20 minutes during our lunch break, awesome!

Nature is Awesome
Angel & Mariel

We wish everyone and their families a Happy Thanksgiving!
Gobble gobble

Nature is Awesome!
Angel & Mariel

Rains over most of Florida. We did not note a whole lot of movement last night. A dry air mass will move in as the rains boogie out and a cold front will bring down temps into the 50’s by Thanksgiving night. Hopefully the front will bring down some winter migrants for us all to enjoy on our Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Good Birding…

Nature is Awesome,
Angel & Mariel