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Posted by Gail King on 17:47:43 02/27/07
First thanks to those who responded to my RFI before my trip to South Florida. Back at my computer now, I'm encouraged by reading new posts to list what I saw, and also to ask about three sightings in particular. Armed with a pile of papers printed from this and the Floridabirds lists, and Pranty's guide, here's what we saw: On 2/22, While we were standing in the parking lot at the campground in Flamingo, two Flamingos flew over our heads! It was about 3:30 p.m. They had black on the trailing edge of the underwings. Since I wasn't at Snake Bight, can these be counted? Where do I find a better description of the Chilean Flamingo mentioned as one of the escaped species to rule out? And as we were driving out on the road from Flamingo, specifically between Pa-hay-okee and Rock Reef Pass, a single icterid flushed off the road and flew into the grass on the south side of the road. I watched it as we approached, and it had the shape and size of a cowbird, and as we got closer, we could see the intense purple, almost lava-lamp glow, of its head, throat and back. Has anyone seen a Shiny Cowbird in that area? 2/23- At The Islander resort in Islamorada, I had another flyover, by a flock of psittacids; couldn't find anyone who knew of a local flock to tell me what they might have been. Then as I was driving north on US1, where all that road work is going on and a person has to be careful not to hit a barrier, I saw ANOTHER Flamingo flying, going northwesterly. Is that weird to see them flying? I haven't read any flyover reports.... Found Monk Parakeet and Common Myna in Homestead; no Cave Swallow, tho I did find the site; and area around the Outlet Mall described for Smooth-billed Ani seems to be torn up by construction. I saw a Peregrine Falcon and an Eastern Phoebe at Lucky Hammock. No Purple Gallinule at Anhinga Trailand I didn't see a Short-tailed Hawk. In John Pennecamp State Park, there was a Black-and-white Warbler, along with Yellow-rumpeds, on the Tamarind trail. On 2/24, we found a Burrowing Owl at the Sombrero Country Club (Grassy Key?). On the Seven Mile Bridge, I saw a Great Black-backed Gull, and it was there again when we drove out on 2/26. There were White-crowned Pigeons in several places along the way, and in Key West. And the ferry trip out to Dry Tortugas on 2/25 was wonderful; what a beautiful place! I saw Sooty Terns, Brown Booby, Masked Booby, Brown Noddy, and of course the wonderful Magnificent Frigatebirds. In the fort I saw another Black-and-white warbler (the volunteer there said that's early, but I'm sure that's what I saw), one Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a Prarie Warbler, two Palms, some Yellow-rumpeds, and a Gray Catbird. The Kestrel that has been around a few days was still there. Also outside Ruddy Turnstones, a Least Sandpiper, and Royal Terns. It is a fabulous place. This isn't a complete list of all I saw, but this is already too long. Again, thank you to all who helped and if anyone could offer thoughts on my three puzzles I'd be grateful. kings4birds@aol.com.
Gail King
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