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Posted by Bill Boeringer on 20:45:15 12/28/14
I covered the Tamiami section as well as splitting the Black Point section with Toe. Unlike some of the other earlier reported sections, my areas had a dearth of passerines, but nonetheless I personally tallied 78 species + 3 exotics.
Starting at Black Point predawn, my best bird came a couple of hours later when I found a Horned Grebe on the south side of the point trail, about halfway down the trail. I also found all expected gulls, Red-breasted Merganser, Y-cr Night-Heron, and both Ruddy Turnstone and least Sandpiper. Birding the marina and trails, I located several flickers, a Y-b Sapsucker, and Ground Dove.
Next was the bike trail on the dump's north side, which provided a light phase Short-tailed Hawk among all the vultures.
I then checked some of the hidden Dump Marsh lakes; it was very muddy & wet, and some of the trails are overgrown. I couldn't access all areas, but among all the coots did find a Gadwall and a couple of American Wigeon. I also had a young Bald Eagle and a Harrier. I added another Harrier behind the Bay Point school.
I then stopped to see the Bonaparte's Gull Toe found at Cutler Wetlands.
Off to west Kendall, where I first stopped at the 132nd Lake to see the Redhead. Which wasn't there! I'm glad I went to get it for Count Week. As a consolation prize, though, there were 4 Lesser Scaup on the lake. I scanned some other nearby lakes, which didn't add much waterfowl but did add another young Bald Eagle.
I picked up Burrowing Owl at Tamiami Airport, along with a single Meadowlark, which has become extremely difficult to find in the Circle. I also found a leucistic Palm Warbler, which was cooperative for photos.
Roaming around areas south of Killian and west of US1, I was able to add Cooper's, Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks.
At 6pm, I returned to Dump Marsh to hopefully add Lesser Nighthawk; they were no-shows, but I did end the day with a close Great Horned Owl and 2 very vocal Barn Owls, which I believed to be 1 adult and 1 juvenile.
After all other sections report, I will post a complete rundown on the count.
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