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Posted by Larry Manfredi on 16:09:09 04/27/15
This was another (April 23-25) Dry Tortugas trip that was very successful. We had 22-species of warbler including a Townsend's Warbler! There were many other migrants with both species of grosbeak, both species of bunting, both species of tanager, Gray Kingbird, Least Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Chuck-wills-widow, Common Nighthawk, Merlin, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Lincoln's Sparrow. We had Black-whiskered Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo and White-eyed Vireo. We had a total of 91-species which is very good for a 16-acre Island 70-miles from Key West!
We need to thank our long time Tropical Audubon Society members for building the original bird fountain out at what was Dry Tortugas National Monument (approximately 50-years ago), now Dry Tortugas National Park! This fountain has probably saved thousands of migrating birds who have taken a drink and bathed from this fountain over many, many years! There is no source of fresh water at the Dry Tortugas, hence the name, so this has been a tremendous help for the birds!
We have to be thankful to Dry Tortugas National Park for allowing a new fountain to be built where the old one was. Several hurricanes and storms pushed a tree over into the old fountain cracking it and doing other damage. Tropical Audubon was instrumental in financing the rebuild with guidance from Sonny B. It was very nice that Tropical Audubon was able to work with the National Park Service into providing this amazing bird fountain for all of the migrating birds! The good thing about the new fountain is, it will cost pennies to maintain, it is well constructed and easy to clean.
I will be out there again soon to see the amazing birds and magnificent Ft. Jefferson!!!
Larry Manfredi
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