Increased mating activities cause the swamp to echo with the sounds of red-shouldered hawks and wild turkeys.  Purple martins have gathered at their homes just ouside the swamp.   Great blue herons are at the nest.  By mid-month the greater sandhill cranes have all departed, leaving the resident Florida subspecies behind to continue dancing for their partners.  Some of the “Summer birds” such as Northern parulas & Eastern kingbirds begin to trickle in, while “Winter birds” such as Eastern phoebes and mallards begin to depart.  Bald eagles are encountered more commonly as they pass by enroute to other areas.

*Sheila Willis is a Native American Naturalist who grew up around the Okefenokee Swamp and is currently writing a Birding Guide to the Greater Okefenokee Area.    Sheila was kind enough to share her Birding Calendar with us.

Barred owl courtship is well underway, while osprey, sandhill crane, and brown-headed nuthatch are just beginning theirs.   Pine warblers are heard trilling in the treetops.  Wood duck are in pairs.   During the last few weeks, sandhill crane migration begins, as those which overwinter gradually leave the area.   Sedge wrens still hide in the wet grasses, while yellow-bellied sapsuckers continue to peck out their feeding stations in tree trunks.

*Sheila Willis is a Native American Naturalist who grew up around the Okefenokee Swamp and is currently writing a Birding Guide to the Greater Okefenokee Area.    Sheila was kind enough to share her Birding Calendar with us.

Sheila Willis is a Native American naturalist who grew up around the Okefenokee Swamp and is currently writing a Birding Guide to the Greater Okefenokee Area. Sheila was kind enough to share here Birding Calendar with us.

Otters are seen swimming in the lakes and boat trails as alligators become less active. Wading birds are prominent as they forage amid the prairies. Wood Ducks and teal can be see throughout the swamp.

Wading birds and ducks are typical bird-types encountered in the wet areas. Gray catbirds call from thickets, and ruby-crowned kinglets fuss from the trees. A vermilion flycatcher may be here for one of its irregular Winter vacations. American kestrels are stationed at their territories in the surrounding countryside. Common yellowthroats provide a dash of color. Late weeks have American robins being the most numerous area bird.

Sheila Willis is a Native American naturalist who grew up around the Okefenokee Swamp and is currently writing a Birding Guide to the Greater Okefenokee Area. Sheila was kind enough to share here Birding Calendar with us.