By Mic McCarty, Field Trip Coordinator
Tampa Audubon field trip leader Jim Smith, along with Lynn Mitchell and Mic McCarty, recently visited Bahia Beach Nature Preserve and made an extraordinary find: the rare Forked-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savana. This bird, a Central and South American kingbird and a member of the Tyrant flycatcher family[1], has sparked immense excitement among bird enthusiasts.
A Birding Phenomenon
The discovery of the Forked-tailed Flycatcher has drawn a significant influx of birders to one of Hillsborough County's premier birding destinations. In just ten days, 165 birders recorded their visits to the preserve, resulting in 206 eBird reports[2] and the sighting of 119 different bird species.
An Avian Haven
Bahia Beach Nature Preserve is renowned for its excellent birding opportunities. The preserve features an excellent combination of a freshwater lake and an estuary saltwater body, separated by a footpath. Wintering ducks and large numbers of American White Pelicans are common sights, along with many other winter favorites. In summer, Killdeer and Black-necked Stilts breed in the area. Currently, Bahia Beach is ranked the eighth hottest birding spot in Hillsborough County, with a remarkable 194 species reported.
Adapting to Changes
Recent hurricanes have caused saltwater intrusion, damaging much of the reeds surrounding the freshwater lake. As the lake recovers, we anticipate the return of the plant cover. In the meantime, the improved viewing conditions have made it easier to spot wintering ducks, snipes, and other rare species.
Visitor Etiquette
While enjoying the birding opportunities at Bahia Beach, please be respectful of other birders and local community members. Ensure that pathways remain clear for walkers.
For a detailed description of the preserve, go to Birding Hotspots web page https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L2423907. Birding Hotspots give detailed descriptions of hotspots. Note: there are no facilities at Bahia Beach.
You can learn more about the Fork-tailed Flycatcher at Birds of the World. Tampa Audubon is offering a limited number of FREE subscriptions to Birds of the World. To find out how to get your subscription, read the newsletter article, Birds of the World: Open to TAS Members by Request. The subscription normally costs $49 a year. Click here to learn how to get your subscription.
[1] Jahn, A. E. and D. T. Tuero (2020). Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.fotfly.01
[2] Bahia Beach Preserve, eBird, https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2423907, December 11, 2024.
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