Have I missed something on this thread - or was Kane's Florida trip mentioned below actually planned for 2008

Not to worry, it's all worthy info regardless

Hi Kane, just a thought, based on a couple of birding trips to Florida. The prime birding spot is at Flamingo, the main centre of the Everglades National Park, at the southernmost tip of the State. There is a cracking Lodge (Flamingo Lodge) and the birding is is superb. A mix of coastal, freshwater ponds, sawgrass swamps with boardwalks and mature old Cypress swamps. Big numbers of warblers (at the right time of year), waders, gulls, herons, egrets, raptors etc. Only drawback is that the mozzies in summer are diabolical

Cheers David

As per my Florida trip report on the main website my surprise location was Gatorland - head for the bredding swamp at the back for large gators plus Roseate Spoonbill and many heron species!

Hi Kane, I've organised a trip to Iceland for myself and seven birding mates in early July. If you need any gen on birding sites I could email you the itinerary. Also the best birding website for Iceland I've found is:
https://notendur.hi.is/yannk/birdnews.html

Hope this helps

Cheers David

I did that sme route a couple of years ago Neil in Iceland but in Feb. The trip list was 14! Might have been a low trip list but the spectacles were amazing. All along the cliffs for miles and miles were thousands of Fulmars. Raven was the most common Corvid and the lake in Reykyavik was the best 'city-centre' spot i've ever been to!
Henry.

Went to Iceland two years ago, the coastal cliffs around Vik on the southern coast were fantastic for thousands of puffins, razorbills, , skuas arctic, great and long tailed, guillemots etc. South of Keflavik near Grindavik was a breeding ground for terns. The lake in Reykjavik was also a popular place monitored by the Icelandic Bird Watching Association.
I really envy you going to Iceland it is a fantastic place, not just for birds but as a spectacular country with incredible scenery. Mind you it's very very expensive !!!!

-- Edited by Neil Collier at 17:16, 2008-03-28

opps sorry pressed wrong button!

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies so far.

Nick - Yes we are going to the Disney Land area. I have just goolgled Lake Tohopekaliga, and managed to find a bird list on a website....looks pretty cool! Thanks for the website too, will check it out now!


Rob - Thanks, I will message you off forum regading the books.

Cheers K.

Kane

Assuming your are just going to the Disney area (and not touring Florida) a good place to visit is Lake Tohopekaliga (which is just south of Kissimmee). I've had Snail Kite and Bald Eagle there (altho May is the earliest I've visited). Plus loads of duck, grebe, ibis, other waterbirds. Good viewing from the lakeside road on the north of the lake.

You will build up a good list by just touring the Disney Parks - all the herons, Anhinga, both Vultures, Limpkin, Swallow Tailed Kite, etc

If you are touring and going anywhere near Sarasota I've a decent spot for Florida Scrub Jay.

I found most sites on www.birdtours.co.uk (and links from this site).

as for Iceland - I can only dream !!

There is a 'Refuge' on Merritt Island very near Kennedy Space Centre which is good for Bald Eagles and Skimmers.

Kane,

I've two Florida "Where to Watch" type books that I bought in the hope of going but have yet to use in anger.

You are welcome to borrow them if we can arrange how to get them to you.

Hi Kane
the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is fantastic and the best place I visited in Florida. It is a large reserve which you drive round, with various viewpoints to stop at. The Roseate Spoonbills are amazing. It is located near Fort Myers on the Gulf of Mexico.

Look at website http://www.fws.gov/dingdarling/

PS its closed on fridays.

Cheers Alan





-- Edited by Alan Warford at 09:18, 2008-01-16

Hi All, In March I am going to Florida for 2 weeks on a holiday, but I plan to do some birding too. I have hired a vehicle out there, anyone ever been birding here before who can name some good birding locations? Also in August of this year I am going to Iceland for 4 weeks with work. We are going to be busy catching and monitoring Whooper Swans but we do get 6 days off, again I have got access to a vehicle out there. Were travelling all over Iceland but our main location is Myvatn which I know is pretty good for birds. Anyone got any other good birding locations? Incidentally anyone know of any birding webpages to do with Florida? Cheers Kane