http://amipost.com/environment/small-birds-of-anna-maria-island/ Anna Maria Island Florida beach and island shore living, vacation and rentals. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:29:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://amipost.com/environment/small-birds-of-anna-maria-island/comment-page-1/#comment-3788 Mike Sat, 08 Jan 2011 23:51:58 +0000 http://amipost.com/?p=552#comment-3788 Hi Robert, Welcome! I also initially noticed the lack of familiar birds seen in western states and soon realized that bird feeders did not attract much attention, except from squirrels. However, learning about the local bird residents revealed a greater number than I had noticed. Naturally, fish-eating birds are most plentiful. You have probably come across many of the shore birds of the area. Their numbers vary greatly depending on the season. The best time of year is in spring when migrating birds stop to nest near Bean Point. Mockingbirds and cardinals should be back in the streets soon, but the flocks of parrots seem to be diminishing. Fortunately ibis appear to be increasing over the last ten years and can be a welcome sight in the yard. Given the density of building and the size of the island it may not be surprising that their are not large areas of bird colonies, but there are a few surprises when large flocks of cormorants fly by, or frigates and white pelicans visit. However for the home garden, small colorful birds are not likely inhabitants. The best advice I can offer is to keep an eye out on the water, follow behavior of the herons, kingfishers, and osprey as they patrol their territory, and watch out for hawks and owls silently swooshing through the trees. You might also find the <a href="http://amipost.com/environment/wildlife-environment/wildlife-rescue-on-anna-maria/" rel="nofollow">Wildlife Rescue</a>a good resource for more information. Hi Robert,
Welcome! I also initially noticed the lack of familiar birds seen in western states and soon realized that bird feeders did not attract much attention, except from squirrels. However, learning about the local bird residents revealed a greater number than I had noticed. Naturally, fish-eating birds are most plentiful.
You have probably come across many of the shore birds of the area. Their numbers vary greatly depending on the season. The best time of year is in spring when migrating birds stop to nest near Bean Point.
Mockingbirds and cardinals should be back in the streets soon, but the flocks of parrots seem to be diminishing. Fortunately ibis appear to be increasing over the last ten years and can be a welcome sight in the yard.
Given the density of building and the size of the island it may not be surprising that their are not large areas of bird colonies, but there are a few surprises when large flocks of cormorants fly by, or frigates and white pelicans visit. However for the home garden, small colorful birds are not likely inhabitants.
The best advice I can offer is to keep an eye out on the water, follow behavior of the herons, kingfishers, and osprey as they patrol their territory, and watch out for hawks and owls silently swooshing through the trees.
You might also find the Wildlife Rescuea good resource for more information.

]]> http://amipost.com/environment/small-birds-of-anna-maria-island/comment-page-1/#comment-3784 Robert Weston Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:13:49 +0000 http://amipost.com/?p=552#comment-3784 I am a new resident of Anna Maria Island (Holmes Beach) and while I have been delighted at the welcome afforded my by a great blue heron and a couple of his white egret friends, I have been struck by the relative paucity of bird life away from the coast. There were some doves in my front garden for a while, and I did see a red headed woodpecker across the street, but not much else. I am wondering if this is due to the development of the island or if this is a seasonal matter. I'm not a long term "birder" though I was a docent at the Point Lobos Nature Reserve in Carmel, California, for several years and birds were part of our offering. Any suggestions as to how to attract more birds to our yard? I have hung a feeder, but no takers as of yet. Thanks for any comments. Robert Weston I am a new resident of Anna Maria Island (Holmes Beach) and while I have been delighted at the welcome afforded my by a great blue heron and a couple of his white egret friends, I have been struck by the relative paucity of bird life away from the coast. There were some doves in my front garden for a while, and I did see a red headed woodpecker across the street, but not much else.
I am wondering if this is due to the development of the island or if this is a seasonal matter. I’m not a long term “birder” though I was a docent at the Point Lobos Nature Reserve in Carmel, California, for several years and birds were part of our offering.
Any suggestions as to how to attract more birds to our yard? I have hung a feeder, but no takers as of yet.
Thanks for any comments.
Robert Weston

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