Category: UCF Arboretum

Playing catch-up: Photos from recent birding trips

Roger Simmons, August 19, 2024August 19, 2024

Here’s a hodgepodge of photos from August trips to the UCF Arboretum, as well as Joe Overstreet Road and Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County.

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Six months later, a return to UCF Arboretum

Roger Simmons, May 19, 2024May 20, 2024

I hadn’t been to the UCF Arboretum in six months, and with the birds I saw this time, it won’t be that long between visits again.

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Winter has sprung? Robins return to Central Florida

Roger Simmons, November 22, 2023November 22, 2023

Robins are not normally found in Central Florida except in the winter, when they arrive here from their northern homes. While visiting the UCF Arboretum at sunset, a flock of several dozen Robins arrived.

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It’s definitely warbler season in Central Florida

Roger Simmons, October 17, 2023October 17, 2023

It’s that time of year when little warblers seems to be almost everywhere in Central Florida.

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Colorful trip to UCF: Bluebirds and red-headed Pileated Woodpeckers

Roger Simmons, September 4, 2023September 4, 2023

On a recent visit to UCF’s Arboretum just before sunset. I was rewarded with sightings of daddy and baby Eastern Bluebirds, and red-headed male and female Pileated Woodpeckers.

Backyard

Northern Parulas seem to be everywhere I go

Roger Simmons, August 1, 2023August 5, 2023

I was so excited back in May when I was able to take my first pictures of a Northern Parula at the Orlando Wetlands. Fast-forward to July, and it seems these birds are, dare I say, stalking me?

Birds

Eastern Towhee: Don’t look up for this bird

Roger Simmons, July 30, 2023August 5, 2023

I saw my first Eastern Towhee at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge back in March, but I’ve seen many more send then at the UCF Arboretum. The scrub bush landscape there is perfect for these colorful orange and black birds.

Birds

UCF’s Arboretum is their neighborhood

Roger Simmons, July 30, 2023August 5, 2023

At a time when many birds have left the area for summer, it’s good to visit the year-round residents at the UCF Arboretum.

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More to see at UCF than just the Knights? How about these birds

Roger Simmons, June 22, 2023August 5, 2023

UCF is one of my favorite places to spend time in the fall, cheering on the Knights football team with my family and friends. But it’s also become a place I like to go to in the spring and early summer, thanks to the variety of birds that call the UCF Arboretum home.

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Meeting an Eastern Bluebird family at UCF Arboretum

Roger Simmons, June 22, 2023August 5, 2023

I drove almost 2 hours to a preserve in Hillsborough County to see my Eastern Bluebird. Little did I realize there was a family of Eastern Bluebirds about 15 minutes from my house at the UCF Arboretum.