We have been fortunate in the past couple of years to have seen several birds that are new to our life list. The excitement of identifying them and observing them makes all the feeder-filling and hiking rewarding. So here they are-- at the bird feeders, a Western tanager in north central Florida, where only a few have been recorded ever. That was three years ago in the spring. A painted bunting in January. A blue grosbeak this week. And today walking at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, more than a dozen bobolinks eating seeds in the tall grass. The sun caught the golden color on the back of their heads so they were easy to spot even though they moved around quickly.
I always enjoy the birds who are here all year, but it's nice to see a new one now and then.
