Birding

Category

Sandhill cranes migrate to North Walton County

Winter visitors a welcome sight for local bird lovers Clara Pittman of North Walton County looks forward to the special wintering guests she enjoys watching arrive in late fall. For the last five years, sandhill cranes have been migrating to the wetlands near her home just south of Lake Jackson in North Walton. Typically arriving in mid-December and staying until mid-March, the cranes are a welcome sight, and have been flocking to the area in large numbers. “I have seen...

Little wren speaks with a big voice

Commonly found in Walton County, the Carolina wren is a bird with many voices By Jessica Basham, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission If you’ve ever wondered which bird sings the familiar, loud “doodalee, doodalee, doodalee” song, it is one of the most common backyard birds in Florida, the Carolina wren. The Carolina wren is a lively little bird that often fluffs itself into a puffy, round shape to appear larger than its 6- or 7-inch body. For its size,...

Banded Rufous hummingbird winters in same yard seven years in a row

Winter guest returns to delight of local bird lover Local hummingbird enthusiast and butterfly expert, Mary Ann Friedman of Niceville is excited about a winter guest she has coming to her yard year after year. A Rufous Hummingbird, nicknamed “Ruferocious” has been returning to Mary Ann’s yard each winter for seven years. “We call her Ruferocious because she is pretty possessive and usually kicks any other would be winter hummingbirds out in a very short time. Before she started “living”...

Fall brings hummingbird enjoyment to Northwest Florida

Rare hummingbirds visit Florida this time of year Between now and early spring, rare hummingbird species from out West turn up in Florida on their way to their winter homes in the tropics. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are year-round residents throughout Florida, but many from up North also pass through here on their annual migration to Central America. Floridians who put up hummingbird feeders or grow red or orange tubular flowers may get a glimpse of one of at least nine additional...

Women’s outdoor workshops coming to Quincy Oct. 8-10

Workshop teaches skills associated with fishing, hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation Wanted:  Adventurous and outdoorsy women wishing to learn more about Florida’s great outdoors in a comfortable, noncompetitive, hands-on environment.  If this could be you, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to participate in a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop. The three-day workshop will be Oct. 8-10 at the Wallwood Boy Scout Camp, 23 Wallwood BSA Drive, Quincy.  Sessions begin Friday at 10 a.m. and...