Birdwalk Highlights for 4/25: Florida Lake Park, Freeport.

Migration really stalled this week, and the overall lack of diversity and especially numbers has really lagged behind expectations recently, and Florida Lake was no exception this morning. However, as one participant put it, nonetheless "Florida Lake never disappoints!"

Normally, warblers are already a highlight of a walk here by the end of April, they were not always the star today. While we only heard one single PALM WARBLER, 30 or so YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS did put on a great show for us, often surrounding us in close proximity. Other migrants included 3 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 2 SWAMP SPARROWS, and 2 HERMIT THRUSHES. The songbird migrant of the morning was a single RUSTY BLACKBIRD, which is always a treat to see.

Swallow numbers were low, but the diversity has increased, led by our first CLIFF SWALLOW of the year. At least 2 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS offered repeated close passes for optimum viewing, making them easier to pick out from the few BARN SWALLOWS and ~25 TREE SWALLOWS.

After several very slow days of migration, it was nice to see some "vismig" today: a flock of 6 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, a great view of a rising NORTHERN HARRIER, and one each of COOPER'S and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS high overhead.

The harrier was a particularly crushing view, but the performance of a 4th-cycle BALD EAGLE hunting, unsuccessfully a distant PIED-BILLED GREBE was breathtaking. The eagle was hovering constantly, the grebe was diving, and the war of attrition was won by the grebe. The eagle also pushed the 11 RING-NECKED DUCKS closer to us, and later, we spotted a GREEN-WINGED TEAL.

But for me, the highlight was watching one of the two pairs of BROWN CREEPERS we saw today which were building a nest! I love creeper nests, and nest-finding, but if you think creepers themselves were cryptic and camouflaged!