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Yellow-throated Warbler

The Yellow Throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) is well named for its bright yellow throat; they are gray and white with black streaks down the sides. They are small birds measuring about 5.1-5.5 inches with a wingspan of 8.3 inches and weighing about 0.3-0.4 oz. Their range consists of the central and eastern parts of the United States, parts of Mexico, and the Caribbean islands. Florida is part of their non-breeding habitat. Their habitats are the same during the breeding season and winter range; they live in pine forests with an open understory, bald cypress swamps, and woodlands near streams.
The warbler’s diet consists of insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and flies. They forage more deliberately and with less fluttering than other warblers as they will probe for insects in crevices, pine cones, and clusters of pine needles. During the non-breeding season, they also forage on insects attracted to agave and coconut palm flowers. During the breeding season, males will establish territories with song and generally will only interact with their mates and offspring. During the non-breeding season, they form mixed-species flocks with Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and other warblers.
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the Yellow Throated Warblers are common and are a species that is of low conservation concern.
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo
Author: Destiny Alvarez – Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, University of Oregon
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Wilson’s Warbler

Wilson’s Warblers, Cardellina pusilla, are easily recognized with their bright yellow feathers and black cap. After breeding in the western U.S. and Canada, these small warblers head to Mexico and Central America for the summer. During migration, they pass through all 48 states.
Look for them in shrubby areas of scrubs and forests near a water source. These birds rarely stay still. They fly out and back from their low perches to catch insects in mid-air. They are quick to snatch spiders, caterpillars, and larval insects off of twigs and leaves.
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, Wilson’s Warblers population declined by 60% between 1966 and 2019. Threats include habitat loss on their migratory paths. Create bird-friendly yards with native Florida shrubs and trees to help these birds recover.
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Weedon Island Preserve

Weedon Island Preserve is a natural and cultural gem in St Petersburg on Tampa Bay. Comprised mostly of marine aquatic and coastal ecosystems, with a few upland exceptions. It is home to many native plants and animals, a rich cultural history, and an educational facility. The native peoples lived at this site for thousands of years. Much of the preserve contains mosquito ditches constructed in the 1950s. These ditches help connect sitting pools of water to larger bodies, allowing predatory fish to feed off mosquito larvae rather than use pesticides in the area. Currently, the Preserve preserves this land’s unique natural and diverse cultural heritages. This can be found in the Educational Center and the preserve. Today, Weedon Island Preserve is set aside as a 3,190-acre natural area managed by Pinellas County.

The largest estuarine preserve in Pinellas County is well known for its birding and fishing. The preserve provides over 4.5 miles of nature trails for hiking, 2 miles of boardwalks and paved trails that are ADA accessible, and the remaining 2.7 miles are natural trail loops. At the end of the Tower Trail sits the observation tower and at 45-foot-tall, it is the tallest of its kind in Pinellas County. You can see most of the preserve, Tampa, and St Petersburg if the conditions are right!

If you are tired of walking on land and want to spend time on the water, you are in luck! Weedon Island also includes a 4-mile, self-guided canoeing/kayaking loop called the South Paddling Trail. Meandering through mangrove tunnels and out to the bay. If you don’t have your own vessel, no worries; a company on site provides tours that take you through the maze of mangrove tunnels. Other activities include fishing from the pier, a boat launch at the end of the road, and picnicking at any designated picnic tables provided through the park and trails.

Don’t forget to check the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center to learn about the natural history of the ancient native inhabitants of the area. Check the schedule of events because not only does Pinellas County sponsor events, UF/IFAS Extension agents also provide a wide variety of educational programs and events for the general public that are family-friendly and often free of charge. Monthly programs may include guided hikes, archaeology classes, speaker series, photography or birding meet-ups, and environmental sustainability workshops.

Amenities:
Educational Center
Wildlife Viewing
Lookout Tower
Information Kiosk
Guided Tours and Trails
Exhibits
Fishing Pier
Paddling Launch and Rentals
Parking Area
Restrooms
Interpretive Signage
Nature Trails, sand
Picnic Area
Seating Area, Pavilion
Bathrooms
Learning Center

Address: 1800 Weedon Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg, Florida 33702
For more information: http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/

Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Author and Photo Credit: Bobby Putnam

 

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Great White Heron

The Great White Heron, Ardea herodias occidentalis, is a wading bird that can only be found in South Florida and The Florida Keys. It is the largest heron. Whether the Great White Heron is a color morph, a subspecies of the Great Blue Heron, or a new species is a topic that is still being researched. However, it has been commonly accepted that this Florida native bird is a subspecies of the Great Blue Heron. Both birds share similar characteristics. The Great White Heron is a larger bird with solid white feathers and yellow legs, while the Great Blue Heron is a smaller bird with blue-gray feathers and black legs. Great White Herons can be distinguished from the Great White Egrets by their larger size, yellow legs vs black legs of the Great White Egret, thicker bills, and coiled neck when flying.
The nesting habitat of the Great White Heron is primarily located in the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and Key West National Wildlife Refuge. About 800–1,300 pairs of Great White Herons breed in the mangrove islands, shoals, and mudflats of Florida Bay and the Florida Keys. Breeding rarely takes place on the mainland of Florida. Nesting occurs throughout the year and peaks between December to February.
Great White Herons forage in turtle grass beds. The tidal cycle limits their access to food because they can only reach it at low tide. The Great White Heron’s habitat has also been negatively impacted by boat traffic through these seagrass beds. Because they inhabit a small geographic area, pollution of their home range and habitat loss caused by human activities, as well as climate change contribute to the ongoing threats to Great White Herons.
Photo Credit: Dan Kon
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