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Posted by Alex Harper on 11:45:50 01/06/15
On 1/5/15, I set out to run a Big Day in Miami for the Miami Birding Wave January event. However, I also decided to take a swing at the Deering Estate Key West Quail-Dove. On a big day, where one tries to see as many species as possible, each species counts as one towards a final count. Devoting the birdiest time of day to look for one bird is not good strategy, but I d rather try for the quail-dove and scramble the rest of the day than to not go after the quail-dove at all. My goal of 100 species in the Miami metropolitan area still seemed reasonable despite the time I would devote to the quail-dove.
So I began my day at 6:45 at the Deering Estate among a smattering of birders that were local or from farther afield. During the hike in, I picked up very few species for my day effort. I did see the KEY WEST QUAIL-DOVE. However, I was only one of two people to see it feeding on the road in dim light before a nearby Pileated Woodpecker s call caused it to flush. It was not to be seen again; it s speculated that a Sharp-shinned Hawk in the vicinity kept it laying low. I would leave at 9:45 with only twenty-five species, and only five I would not encounter the rest of the day: Key West Quail-Dove, White-crowned Pigeon (heard only)Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher and TENNESSEE WARBLER (an unexpected pick-up during the winter months). (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21212835)
Having spent exactly three hours of prime time sitting in one location deep in a tropical hardwood hammock, I now had to make up for lost time. I pushed towards Cutler Wetlands , making it there by 9:57. To begin, I parked at the northeastern edge of the wetlands and walked the path to the faux hammock of Brazilian Red Pepper described by Carlos Sanchez. It was surprisingly active with passerines: Blue-headed Vireos, Gray Catbirds, Northern Parulas, Prairie, Palm, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Blue and Black-and-white Warblers, Common Yellowthroats and Ovenbirds all in view at the same moment. I would get my only Painted Bunting for the day here, but the best bird in the hammock was a YELLOW WARBLER, another rare winter resident in South Florida. Walking back towards Cutler Wetlands, the staked-out Gadwall and Bonaparte s Gull were both in the lake on the east side on SW 97 Avenue (you ll need to walk up on the levee to see them). Walking the perimeter of the wetlands produced 18 Wilson s Snipes and my only Savannah Sparrow for the day. The ducks and shorebirds that can be found at Cutler Wetlands were not in view during my visit, meaning I d miss Green-winged Teal, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Long-billed Dowitcher during the effort. (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21213022)
I rolled out of Cutler Wetlands at 10:47 and was at Dump Marsh by 11:01. I only birded the western pond. I would pick up American Wigeon (7), Blue-winged Teal, American White Pelican, Glossy Ibis, Northern Harrier, Greater Yellowlegs and Merlin and was back at my car by 11:25, getting me to 71 species for the day. (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21213479)
I hopped back onto Old Cutler and made my way back north. A quick stop at the Deering boat launch with scoters, Horned Grebes, and loons on my mind only advanced Red-breasted Merganser, Brown Pelican and Cooper s Hawk. 74 species.
At the Matheson Hammock picnic area, I found myself searching for Yellow-throated Vireo and Black-throated Green Warblers by 12:10. The vireo showed up, but the warbler was a no-show. The heat of the day kept most birds quiet, but once I entered the dense hammock on the western side of Old Cutler Road, mixed flocks proved that things were still moving: two Worm-eating Warblers and a previously reported Hermit Thrush (which was only 120 feet past the entrance gate if walking in from Old Cutler) were among the flocks. With a long stride, I checked out the open area of western Matheson for the continuing Red-headed Woodpecker. I would not see the woodpecker, but I gained House Wren and Yellow-throated Warbler. I rushed back to the car, pausing briefly to observe a stunning Red-headed Agama in the parking lot. I rolled out by 1:05. (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21213646 and http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21213716)
Dante Fascell Park was my next stop at 1:13. This tiny park is packed with wintering birds. In a seven minute visit, I scooped up Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Pine Warbler for the day among a mixed bag of vireos and warblers. (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21213793)
After a brief stop for a colada (a go-to coffee for Miami natives), I shot for Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. A Great Black-backed Gull graced a light pole on the massive Powell Bridge just before Key Biscayne. Scope in hand, I hit the southernmost beach for shorebirds. The shorebirds were spread out at low tide. Short-billed Dowitcher was an unfortunate miss, but Black-bellied, Wilson s, Semipalmated and Piping Plovers, Dunlin, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone and Least Sandpiper were added. Lesser Black-backed Gulls of all ages loafed on the beach, and Northern Gannets and Magnificent Frigatebirds were detected by use of a scope. (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21213840)
The idea now was to stop at several locations in Miami Shores and Biscayne Park before making it to Enchanted Forest to snag a couple more warblers. I d finish the day near Pelican Harbor on the 79th street causeway for a night-herons, Spotted Sandpiper, and Herring Gulls. An accident on I-95 slowed the process, but I made it to Miami Shores with several hours of daylight left. At NE 100 Street and NE 5th Avenue in Miami Shores, the RUFOUS/ALLEN S Hummingbird made an appearance within a few seconds of waiting beside the Hong Kong Orchid Tree. The Miami Shores Country Club golf course produced it s reliable pair of Egyptian Geese and a desperately-needed Green Heron. I would not pick up a resident Belted Kingfisher, though. My next stop at a feeder in Biscayne Park did not furnish White-winged Doves. I debated sticking around these neighborhoods to add the dove, Common Myna, White-winged Parakeet and Spot-breasted Oriole, but the draw of the warbler diversity at Enchanted Forest in North Miami ultimately won me over. Enchanted Forest in the afternoon has the propensity to be a waste of time. And this particular afternoon, it was. In over an hour of searching, I missed staked-out Cape May, Orange-crowned, Swainson s, Nashville, and Black-throated Green Warblers. I would only pick up American Redstart in an effort that sapped up too much valuable time. Ouch: (http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21213897)
Taking side-roads to avoid Biscayne Boulevard traffic, I made a visit to a Monk Parakeet nest in Miami Shores to make for 98 species before 5:00 pm. At Pelican Harbor on Biscayne Bay, the spectacle of roost-bound birds had begun. This area has an astounding number of pelicans (100s), cormorants (100s), ibis (2,000+), and Fish Crows (7,000+) that roost on Bird Key to the south. While scouring the mangroves for both night-herons, Spotted Sandpiper and Belted Kingfisher, #99 flew overhead in the form of a first-cycle Herring Gull. A sharp adult Black-crowned Night-heron made for 100 species for the day. The other sought-out species never appeared. On the way home, a stop for a juvenile Wood Stork on the Little River Canal only presented manatees and Egyptian Goose in the fading light.
After dinner, I gathered myself together and cruised the perimeter of Morningside Park for Yellow-crowned Night-heron. Another miss. A 9:00 pm return to Pelican Harbor would net me a group of 75+ Black Skimmers. And at 9:20, back in Miami Shores, I would end the Miami Big Day with one of the resident Eastern Screech-Owls. 102 species would be the final number.
Ideally, beginning at Enchanted Forest at sunrise would be a one-stop shop for warblers. Over 20 species are wintering in the park according to recent reports. Visiting Crandon Park on Key Biscayne is a must for shorebirds, and the Old Cutler Road greenbelt harbors a lot of great species. Finishing at Cutler Wetlands and Dump Marsh would be ideal. Big misses of mine include Green-winged Teal, Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Spotted Sandpiper, both dowitchers, White-winged Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Common Myna, Black-throated Green Warbler and Red-winged Blackbird. I think that 125 species in a Miami Big Day is attainable.
Remember, for the Miami Birding Wave Big Day, you must be anywhere in Miami-Dade County east of Krome Avenue. The number to beat is a beatable 102 ABA species, and the month has only just begun.
Alex Harper
http://miamibirdingwave.com/
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