Posted by David La Puma on September 23, 2002 at 12:57:17:
Hello all-
Just an update:
The area south of Manfredi Marsh (including Manfredi Marsh) is now closed (officially). The new boulders are in place blocking both sides of the gate...so no more "go arounds". Rafael Galvez and I censused the retention areas during the migration count. While we were there we were approached by a law enforcement officer for Everglades National Park. He notified us that the W.M. District now has patrols in the retention area and that there is to be no trespassing (violaters WILL be PROSECUTED). Until we can secure some kind of permission for the area, you are now officially warned!
(4 out of 5 birders agree, trespassing at the retention area is not recommended)
note: most of the shorebirds were gone from the area. A handful of ducks were seen, mostly BW Teal and a few Mottled. Best birds for the overall count were Merlin (6), Broad-wing Hawk (2), Northern Waterthrush (11), Worm-eating Warbler (11), Yellow-breasted Chat (2), and wierdest bird, Cockatiel (1- on fence around airport). Biggest misses were Limpkin (seen 2 days earlier at LH Annex), Sandhill Crane (also seen 2 days earlier, not around most likely due to farm tilling during count), Barn Owl and Burrowing Owl (poor timing on our part).
cheers
David