Date: 3/27/26 6:29 am From: Galveston Ornithological Society <galornsoc...> Subject: [NFLbirds] Apalachicola National Forest
My friend of ~fifty years, Richard Perry, joined me on a piney woods morning last Saturday through the longleaf and scattered swales in the wetter areas. We weren’t taking notes nor bird listing but songs were heard often as we stopped and got out every mile or two.
The most frequent species recorded was Red-eyed Vireo, not just in the damp forest but often in nearby longleafs and scattered pond pines and short-leafs. Not a wintering species, these birds have arrived and were setting up territories right at the vernal equinox. I also heard a snatch of a White-eyed Vireo song.
Pine Warblers had not started singing, but will make up for it in April. It was nice hearing Eastern Bluebirds, which nest in longleafs much more than people realize. Many Red-bellied Woodpeckers were calling but a few Red-headeds issued their odd notes. I was unable to locate a Red-cockaded for my friend. Soon, the Brown-headed Nuthatches will have more to say.
No flycatchers appeared, as phoebes have departed and spring flycatchers are not super early migrants. Other insectivores by calls included Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Carolina Wren and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Numbers of insectivorous birds rises dramatically from the beginning to the end of March.
Separate Red-shouldered Hawks screamed in the distance, probably happy for the warmer weather, bringing out the reptiles and amphibians they often prefer. We actually lose numbers of raptors in general in spring as most wintering species use the open ground for fertile feeding in winter. Red-tails are not common in forests heavy with longleafs, as they are ecologically separated from Red-shouldereds by density of habitat.
There is quite a difference between the bird life in the wet swales and the dry, open longleafs. After mid April, watch (listen) for Swainson’s Warbler in the swales, and even dryland birds come to these wet areas to drink.
The fact that Wild Turkeys are fairly common was no lost on the turkey hunters. I saw one bird the day before and hopefully the hunters will be careful with their heavy shot when birders are near.
In general, I believe longleaf pines are better for birding than many people realize. As we get into the breeding season, this becomes more and more obvious. The “trail” at Tall Timbers is a good opportunity to experience a well-kept piney woods ecosystem.
I actually came to Tallahassee for the wedding of a former student and it was great seeing many of my old friends. Sad to see my parent’s house gone. ☹
