The Southeastern Drought

Due to a persistent atmospheric ridge over the Southeastern U.S., storm systems arriving from the Pacific have been shunted across the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeastern States.  As a result, severe drought has developed within that ridge; indeed, much of Georgia and Florida are in extreme drought.

A stable jet stream arc, from the Southern Plains to the Ohio River Valley and across the Mid-Atlantic region has produced the ridge.  Within its dome, air is sinking and heating up, impairing cloud formation, negating precipitation and drying out the soil.  As one might expect, the incidence of wildfires has increased significantly.

Fortunately, a potent storm system is forecast to arrive within a week, displacing the ridge and bringing much needed rain to the Southeastern States.  An early tropical storm or two would be nice as well but an El Niño pattern in the Pacific is expected to dampen this year's Atlantic Hurricane Season; on the other hand, El Niños tend to produce more precipitation across the Southern U.S. 

Trump's New Florida Property

Desperate for more space to detain "criminal" immigrants, King Trump has accepted Governor Ron DeSantis' offer to develop a facility at an old airfield in the Florida Everglades.  No doubt, it will lack the posh amenities offered at Mar-a-Lago.

The tent city, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, is expected to have air conditioning units but, to my knowledge, no pool is planned.  One wonders how it will fare if struck by a tropical storm or hurricane.

Opposed by conservationists, regional Native Americans and human rights organizations, the property's location is hailed as offering ideal security, bordered by many miles of swampland, teaming with alligators, pythons, panthers and biting insects.  I doubt Trump will spend much time there.

Addendum (7/4/25): A strong thunderstorm (not a tropical storm or hurricane) has already flooded parts of the facility.

Anhingas

 Among the more exotic birds in the Deep South are anhingas (photo).  Often called the "snakebird" since it swims with its long neck and pointed beak out of water, the anhinga favors wooded swamps, bayous and mangrove lined bays.

Like cormorants, they commonly perch on snags and posts to dry their wings and feed primarily on fish.  Most often seen alone, anhingas gather to breed in colonies, often in the company of other species (waders, pelicans, cormorants).

Anhingas are permanent residents in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, in coastal Mexico and Central America and throughout much of South America.  In summer, their range extends northward up the Southeast Coast and into the lower Mississippi Valley.

Birding Near the Condo

Our condo on Longboat Key looks out over Sarasota Bay and the complex extends westward, across the main road, to the Gulf of Mexico.  Generally a great location for birding, my observations have been less than stellar on this trip.  I wonder if the hurricanes played a role but this has been the least number and variety of species that I have encountered since we purchased the property, 21 years ago.

The low number of American white pelicans and red-breasted mergansers on the Bay has been especially evident.  Waders, in general, have been relatively uncommon though energetic flocks of white ibis still patrol the complex; ospreys, brown pelicans and double-crested cormorants have also appeared in their typical numbers.

One highlight has been an increased number of wood stocks flying over this part of the Key.  Listed as a "threatened species" in Florida since the 1970's, the welfare of these birds has been threatened by the degradation of wetlands (primarily through drainage and pollution).   

Christmas on the Beach

One does not get a "White Christmas" here in South Florida (except for the white sand) but it sometimes feels like a Midwestern winter.  Cloudy, cool, breezy conditions greeted us on the beach this morning and sunbathers remained huddled in their cozy condos.

We did encounter a few other humans who braved the chilly conditions and came across small flocks of laughing gulls, temporarily grounded by the light fog and drizzle.  A lone dolphin swam past in the calm Gulf waters where a few terns and brown pelicans dove for their morning meal.

But we can't complain.  It's still a lovely spot to visit and, if the forecast holds, warm sunshine will return by tomorrow.  Happy Holidays to all! 

Hurricanes & Shorebirds

The recent Gulf of Mexico hurricanes that struck Florida (Helene and Milton) have significantly altered the beaches of Longboat Key and Anna Marie Island.  The beaches of these barrier islands are noticeably broader and flatter than they were in the past and much of their sand has been pushed onto or across the islands by the storm surge and strong winds.

Such findings were not unexpected when we returned to our condo but I have also noticed a dearth of shorebirds on these beaches. In the past three days I have only encountered modest-sized flocks of sanderlings and a few ruddy turnstones and black-bellied plovers.  While the number of other seabirds seem to be relatively unchanged, one wonders if the storms altered both the structure and ecology of the beaches, "sterilizing" them of food sources that normally attract the shorebirds.

While I have no scientific data to support this theory, there is little doubt that shallow marine and tidewater ecosystems are affected by these powerful storms.  Perhaps the dramatic decrease in shorebirds reflects less obvious changes in the beaches and coastal waters, the recovery of which may take many months. 

Through Helene's Aftermath

Driving out to our condo on Longboat Key, we passed through Bradenton Beach, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene over two months ago.  Significant damage is still widespread and piles of beach sand cover most of the ground.

Most noticeable was the limited human activity on that Friday afternoon.  Usually bustling with tourists during the Holiday Season, many of the shops, restaurants and rental units have been shut down, if not destroyed.  It was a sad sight to behold and a warning that we have just begun to witness the ravages of climate change.

The storm's wrath extended across northern sections of Longboat Key as well but, farther south, our condo complex was spared any serious damage.  Nevertheless, one cannot ignore the growing threat of rising seas and severe hurricanes; we do not plan to rebuild when that day arrives and may choose to abandon this barrier island in advance of its eventual destruction.

Milton and the Front

Before Hurricane Milton made landfall, at Siesta Key, Florida, its outer bands had produced almost forty supercell tornados across southern portions of the State.  Indeed, damage from those storms might exceed that produced by the hurricane core itself.

As Milton reached the Gulf Coast, it was interacting with a front that dipped across Northern Florida, producing torrential rain on the north side of the hurricane (including the Tampa-St. Petersburg area).  The most intense winds of the eye-wall remained south of that Metro Area and the strongest storm surge hit the coastline south of Sarasota.

News of damage on Longboat Key may take a while to emerge but our primary risk may have come from surge off Sarasota Bay as well as the high winds of the eye-wall.  Overnight,  Hurricane Milton has moved northeastward along the front and across the Florida peninsula, unleashing heavy rain and destructive winds before heading into the Atlantic. 

In Milton's Path

We purchased our condo on Longboat Key, Florida, over 20 years ago; even then, the building was almost 40 years old.  When we made that leap, we understood that owning property on a barrier island carries a significant risk.  This week, it appears that risk has become a reality as Hurricane Milton, currently a Category 4 storm, barrels toward that narrow strip of sand.

A storm surge of 15 feet is currently predicted and our condo complex may end up in Sarasota Bay.  Though global warming was receiving limited attention back in the early 2000s, we now know that building on barrier islands is pure folly; even if the structure might withstand severe storms, access, utilities and nearby amenities may be lost for extended periods of time.  Indeed, there has been a general exodus from low lying coastal areas of Florida as both extreme weather and insurance rates increase dramatically.  Only the very wealthy are still buying property in these high risk zones.

Whatever level of damage is inflicted by Milton, we won't be visiting Longboat Key anytime soon.  Nature may just reclaim the site.

Summer's Last Gasp?

Way back and not so long ago, October was a month of mild, sunny days and clear, cool nights.  That pleasant weather, combined with the colorful foliage, made it the favorite month for many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, especially for those who relish outdoor activity.

Today, thanks to a dome of high pressure, our afternoon high may reach 90 degrees F in central Missouri and highs in the 80s F will dominate the coming week; it feels more like late August than early October.  While we can hope that this is summer's last gasp, our warming climate may push "typical October weather" well into November.

In concert with heat across the Heartland, another tropical disturbance is forming in the western Gulf of Mexico, forecast to spread torrential rains and destructive winds across the Florida Peninsula in the coming week.  Help to mitigate climate change and its severe weather patterns: Vote Democratic! 

Helene takes aim on Atlanta

As Hurricane Helene churns northward above the Gulf of Mexico hot tub, residents along the Florida Gulf Coast are taking action, boarding up homes and heading for higher ground.  While devastation along the coast is expected, more individuals will likely be impacted in cities farther inland.

Both Tallahassee and Atlanta are in the "cone of uncertainty" and Helene's forward movement is rapid.  As a result, she will not weaken quickly as she comes ashore with her high winds and abundant tropical moisture.  Both of these cities can expect wind damage and extensive flooding.

Worse yet, Atlanta will receive significant precipitation from a cold front that arrives prior to Helene.  At least ten inches of rain is expected to fall across that concrete jungle over the next few days.  Once again, our warming climate is having an impact on areas far from the shore. 

Debby Floods the Southeast

After raking the Gulf Coast of the Florida Peninsula with strong winds, heavy rain and tornados, Hurricane Debby made landfall in the State's Big Bend area this morning, producing a storm surge of six feet or more.  Despite all of this havoc, the storm's wrath may increase as it stalls over southern Georgia and South Carolina, dropping up to two feet of rain as it pulls in moisture from the Atlantic.

Though not a powerful hurricane, Debby will deliver copious tropical moisture to the region, fed by the very warm ocean waters.  Since there is no approaching front to force the storm out to sea, extensive flooding is expected.

Once again, our warming climate is fueling the development of more tropical storms and augmenting their destructive effects.  Unless we take this problem seriously, the welfare of communities and ecosystems across the globe will be threatened.  Vote Democratic!  

Dowitchers and a Loon

On our last beach walk in South Florida, I encountered two species that I had not yet observed during this visit.   They were short-billed dowitchers and a single common loon.

About two dozen of the dowitchers were feeding along the shoreline, drilling into the wet sand for marine invertebrates.  They are on their way to northern Canada where they will nest in wooded bogs or wetlands, generally south of the Arctic tundra.

Just as we were leaving the beach, I noticed a common loon well offshore, resting on the calm Gulf waters.  Though I was a bit surprised that it was this far south so late in the spring, it was still on the local eBird checklist, a database far greater than my personal experience.  Today, we begin to head north ourselves. 

Sargassum on Longboat Key

As I reported in March of 2023, the "Sargassum Sea" has been expanding in the Atlantic Ocean, likely due to nitrogen pollutants and warmer sea waters.  While this algal seaweed is a natural component of Subtropical marine environments,  it can "soil" beaches and cause damage to reefs if its annual bloom is excessive.

For the beaches of South Florida, the period from April through July is generally the peak season for sargassum "landfalls."  Ocean currents, storms and prevailing winds determine which beaches will be most affected and, yesterday morning, we encountered the largest swath that we have ever observed on Longboat Key.  Since this long, narrow barrier island is angled from northwest to southeast, it is not surprising that the NW tip was the site of our discovery (see photo).

While humans may not be pleased with such an accumulation of seaweed, the shorebirds were clearly attracted to this nutritious windfall, scouring its surface for a wide variety of marine invertebrates and their eggs.  Ruddy turnstones, willets and sanderlings were the primary diners.

See: The Sargassum Belt 

A Morning at Lido Key Beach

Lido Key Beach, off Sarasota, is one of the best locations along the west coast of Florida for birding, wildlife watching, shelling and walking.  Also popular for social gatherings, it can be a bit crowded on weekends.

On this sunny, warm morning, we walked the beach, my wife shelling while I, of course, surveyed the birdlife.  The usual mix of seabirds and shorebirds were observed but black-bellied plovers were especially abundant.  I counted 120 individuals, resting in flocks on the sand or hunting along the shoreline; these travelers were in various stages of molting to their attractive breeding plumage and will soon depart for the Arctic tundra.

My northern gannet watch continues without success during this visit to South Florida.  While the white adults have headed to breeding colonies in the North Atlantic, dark-brown juveniles often remain on wintering waters throughout the year.  Since they tend to stay well offshore, they are identified by their size, shape, flight pattern and their spectacular vertical dives for fish.  Alas, no sightings yet. 

A Pioneer Mangrove

As barrier islands along South Florida's Coast have been developed, large swaths of mangrove have been destroyed.  This has been unfortunate due to their important role in coast stabilization, habitat for sea bird rookeries, the protection of marine fisheries and, most recently, carbon capture.

At our condo development on Longboat Key, which dates from the late 1960s, coastal mangroves were destroyed though offshore mangrove islands remain intact along the margin of Sarasota Bay.  A few years ago, we noticed that a solitary red mangrove (photo) was growing in a rock pile along our sea wall; left alone, it has steadily grown and would spread if it were not at the edge of the boat channel (which will surely be kept open).

Mangroves spread by various propagules, including seeds, buds, roots and stem segments that float to nearby shallows and give rise to new growth.  Hopefully, the condo maintenance team will respect this pioneer plant and allow it to adorn the sea wall for many years to come.

An Unexpected Visitor

Walking along the beach this morning, I encountered the usual mix of shorebirds and seabirds that inhabit or frequent Longboat Key.  Joining them was one unexpected visitor.

A barn swallow, more associated with open farm country, was skimming the dunes, searching for insects.  Of course, this traveler (like myself) is but a transient visitor to the barrier island, far more comfortable in terrestrial ecosystems.

Having wintered in Central or South America, barn swallows are common summer residents throughout most of North America; a circumpolar species, they also nest in Europe and Asia.  Well adapted to rural human communities, especially those near lakes and wetlands, barn swallows nest primarily beneath the eaves of buildings or under bridges.  This morning's traveler was the first I have seen this spring. 

Semi-Palmated Plovers

Among the thousands of shorebirds and seabirds at Whitney Beach (on Longboat Key) this morning, there were two semi-palmated plovers, at opposite ends of the strand.  I thus felt obliged to acknowledge their presence in a blog post.

Though more often seen in flocks during migration, this morning's loners are on their way to northern Canada or Alaska, where they breed.  Unlike many of their cousins, semi-palmated plovers prefer to nest and feed on graveled islands and sandbars in meandering Arctic rivers; their diet consists of insects, worms and other invertebrates.

These plovers winter along the coasts of North and South America; they migrate a bit later in spring than most shorebirds and may still be encountered in the American Heartland through early May.  Perhaps our paths will cross again. 

Gulf Coast Storm

A potent spring storm has been crawling eastward along the northern Gulf Coast over the past few days, producing severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, torrential rains and coastal flooding.  This morning, the heart of the system is in northern Florida and its trailing cold front is approaching the west coast of the Florida Peninsula.

A tornado watch has been issued for areas north of Tampa Bay and we expect thunderstorms to reach Longboat Key by early afternoon.  This morning, we enjoyed a short walk on the beach, buffeted by strong south winds ahead of the cold front.  Despite the rough surf, sanderlings raced ahead of the incoming waves, ruddy turnstones and willets scoured the wind-swept beach and a mixed squadron of brown pelicans, cormorants, gulls and terns fished on the roiling Gulf waters.

Attentive to weather warnings, we humans appropriately head for shelter until the storm passes.  Wildlife, always in survival mode, adapt to the changing conditions but remain active as long as possible; their lives depend on that resilience. 

Evening Bay Watch

Granted a calm, warm evening along Sarasota Bay, I opted for an hour of birdwatching.  Though the absolute number of sightings was relatively low, it was more than worth my time.

Sitting at the edge of the seawall, my attention first turned to a little blue heron, hunting in a swath of grass.  Fish crows noisily called from the nearby rooftops while a pair of magnificent frigatebirds soared silently above the bay.  Brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, white ibis and red-breasted mergansers were the most abundant visitors but I also encountered small numbers of least and royal terns, yellow-crowned night herons, great egrets, tricolored herons and roseate spoonbills.

Just before returning to our condo,  I watched five manatees glide along the seawall, their rotund figures barely visible in the fading light.  More from Longboat Key in the coming days.