BIRDS, BEER & BOOKS

On Monday 30th we stayed local as the research indicted there was much to be seen. I enclose a down-load which covers most of what I would say anyway.

5. City of Apalachicola.
Almost the entire City of Apalachicola is a birder's paradise. Here the old-growth pines and oaks have been preserved and it is an oasis for birds in the desert of slash pine monoculture. In addition many residents maintain feeders and watering stations and plant native vegetation that nourished the birds.
A walk under the majestic oaks in the Historic District during April 1 - May 30 may reward you with Yellow-throated Warblers, Yellow-throated Warbler, Tufted Titmouse, Red-eyed Vireo and Baltimore Oriole. Walk the same scenic streets in the fall for nesting Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Barred Owls.
The waterfront, especially Scipio Creek City Marina at the north of town is home to a wide variety of species including Swamp Sparrow, Fish Crow, Spotted Sandpiper, Black-crowned Night heron, Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, Virginia Rails and Gray Kingbird.



HISTORIC AREA AND LAFAYETTE PARK.

An area of easy walking and trim lawns and majestic trees. This is what we saw there: it is bordered on one side by the town and other by water.

Blue Jay
Northern Cardinals - both sexes
European Starlings
House Sparrow
Carolina Wren
Great-Crested Flycatcher
Swallow Tail Kites - two flying over
Brown Thrasher
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Turkey Vulture - perched & flying
Fish Crow

We know that other species can pass through. It would be worth another visit.

The water front area around Scipio was disappointing as it was water and reedbeds with no obvious place to view. So, it was only the following.

Laughing Gulls
Brown Pelicans
Great Crested Cormorants

It was now hot, but we ventured into Chapman Botanical Gardens, a ten acre site, with great trees and a small pond. We were informed that Gulf Coast Box Turtles lay their eggs in the garden. We viewed a couple of large specimens and were told that there is one Alligator in there too. On the water tower two Ospreys had a nest with two week old chicks. Again our information told us that Vultures had to be driven off otherwise the chicks would be predated. A Black Vulture flew over. There was a prison gang working and one had trodden on a red ant nest. These ants are from South America and our guide poisons them. They are not American!

Not a great return but it was now time for recuperating in The Oyster Brewery and to eat in the Owl Café. This was the first time we had eaten in a proper restaurant and we must learn to order less as we now have a meal for later. Across the the road was a book shop and waiting to be collected were ten signed books by Dawn Lee McKenna a local crime novelist who sets her books in Apalachicola and the reason we are here on The Forgotten Coast. Also the latest from Alafair Burke, but unsigned as her arms were too short to reach from NY.