[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by John Boyd on 15:30:49 09/21/14
A group of almost 20 birders set out in search of birds at Matheson Hammock this morning. There was a fair amount of bird activity, and by the time we returned (about 11am), we had found over 40 species. One of the first birds seen was Fish Crow, with over 60 Fish Crows streaming above the parking lot. We also saw Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret from the parking lot.
We had barely left the parking when a Chimney Swift appeared overhead. There were various warblers in the trees (and sometimes on the ground). We ended up with ten warbler species (Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Northern Parula, and Worm-eating, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-throated, and Prairie Warblers). We also found Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos and a couple of Veeries. We heard Macaws and Hill Mynas a couple of times, and Some Bobolinks also flew over (heard only). A couple of Screech-Owls responded to Joe Barros's owl call.
As we were checking some of the mangrove areas, we noticed some woodpeckers in a bare tree. Besides the expected Red-bellied Woodpecker, the tree contained Downy Woodpecker and Flicker, both of which flew to trees near us for a time, and the surprise bird of the day, an immature Red-headed Woodpecker. It flew across Old Cutler Road, and we later caught up with it and possibly a second Red-headed Woodpecker. A flock of about 15 White-crowned Pigeons flew by to the east as we were looking at the woodpeckers.
We crossed Old Cutler and headed out the service road, finding a Great Crested Flycatcher or two. We checked out the area where the Red-headed Woodpeckers had been seen in spring 2013. None were there, but a nearby tree had a Great Horned Owl. We also spotted a couple of Orange-winged Amazon-Parrots. At least three accipiters were also seen in the same area, 2 Cooper's Hawks and 1 Sharp-shinned. As we looped around a brushy area, we spotted a couple of Blue Grosbeaks. A third was seen on our way back. The former nature trail (I say former because if you allow bikes and dogs on it, it is not a nature trail), didn't produce much, and we saw one more accipter as we returned to the cars. An Anhinga was the last new bird of the morning.
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]