Posted by Brian Ahern on December 13, 2002 at 12:06:10:
RBA
* Florida
* Statewide
* Date December 13, 2002
* FLFL0212.13
-Birds mentioned:
GREATER FLAMINGO
TRUMPTER SWAN**
American Black Duck
EURASIAN WIGEON
Long-tailed Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Common Goldeneye
White-tailed Kite
Short-tailed Hawk
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER
PURPLE SANDPIPER
Pomarine Jaeger
Parasitic Jaeger
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Smooth-billed Ani
LESSER NIGHTHAWK
Rufous Hummingbird
Least Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
TROPICAL/COUCH’S KINGBIRD**
Cerulean Warbler (possible)
Yellow-breasted Chat
LE CONTE’S SPARROW
Henslow’s Sparrow
LINCOLN’S SPARROW
Lark Sparrow
Bobolink
BRONZED COWBIRD
Pine Siskin
**This is a review species in FL. Details of any sightings should be sent to the FOS Records Committee at the address given at the end of this report.
Hotline: FLORIDA RARE BIRD REPORT
to report e-mail: BrianAhern@aol.com
compiler: Brian Ahern
transcriber: Same
This is Brian Ahern reporting the Florida Rare Bird Alert for 12/13/02. This report is sponsored by FLORIDA NATURE TOURS, which offers tours to the Dry Tortugas, South Florida, and private guiding. For information go to http://www.floridanaturetours.com or call 407-363-1360. Reports are followed by coordinates from the DeLorme Florida Atlas & Gazetteer and the page number of Bill Pranty's ABA guide "A Birder's Guide to Florida" when possible.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Four TRUMPTER SWANS have been seen during the last week at Rocky Bayou in Niceville. They were found on a small lake in a restricted access development just east of the bayou. However birders can view them at the following site: Huntington Circle is at the very end of Rocky Bayou Drive, which is about ˝ mile west of the bridge (church at the traffic light). The owner, Mr. Thomson, stated that he would welcome birds to view the birds from the property just to the left of his home (4456 Huntington Circle). He cares for the property and stated that birders may use the dock at the next-door property. He said that it was not necessary to ask prior to going to the dock. This appears to the best location to see the swans as they go to roost on the sand bar about 4-4:30 pm (H.J. Huddleston). If the ID is correct and accepted, this would be a first state record for Florida! DeLorme p. 28, D0.5, 3.8
LIBERTY COUNTY
A large group of HENSLOW’S SPARROWS and one LECONTE’S SPARROW can be found in a field along SR 379 in Apalachicola National Forest. They are located on CR 379 in Apalachicola National Forest, several miles northwest of it's intersection with SR 65 at Sumatra. Just before Sumatra look for 379, make a right here and go 5 miles until you see a large field on the right or east side of the road. The sparrows were all through this very large wet field. The field is also full of Pitcher Plants and Sedge Wrens. Bring Rubber Boots for this area as well. (L. Manfredi). DeLorme p. 48; Pranty p. 63
WAKULLA COUNTY
The following reports are all from St. Marks NWR. The TROPICAL KINGBIRD is still present. It was seen at the north end of East River Pool on Saturday 7th in the afternoon. Also on Saturday, a COMMON GOLDENEYE was found at Stony Bayou #1 (S.P. McCool). At Picnic Pond, two LONG-TAILED DUCKS and another COMMON GOLDENEYE were seen on Sunday 9th. A SURF SCOTER was present at Stony Bayou #1 and the VERMILION FLYCATCHER continues to be seen at the Twin Dikes location (T. Curtis & S.P. McCool). A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was seen in the brush by the lighthouse parking lot along with Song & Swamp Sparrows. The “Helispot field” continues to have HENSLOW’S SPARROW and at least one LECONTE’S SPARROW. Drive past the visitor center and then drive past the second bridge, look on the left for a sign that says "Helispot" for the helicopter landing area. Park here by the gate and walk about 200 yards and look for a road going right. Walk into the field here and work it for the sparrows. Rubber Boots are highly recommended. Two to five AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS are still at Mounds Pool #3. The best way to view them is to drive past Mounds Pool 2 just before the main road turns sharply to the right. There is a Pine forest here at the turn. Look for a gate with the number 132, park here and walk about 150 yards until you see a road going to the left. Walk down this road until you come out of the pines, you will see Mounds Pool 3 straight ahead and on your right (L. Manfredi & S.P. McCool). DeLorme p. 50; Pranty p. 76
DUVAL COUNTY
A sea watch on Thursday 12th, off of 16th ave. south, in Jacksonville produced: 53 BLACK SCOTERS & 2 POMARINE JAEGERS (N. Wamer). DeLorme p. 58
VOLUSIA COUNTY
The 2 PURPLE SANDPIPERS are still hanging out with Ruddy Turnstones at the shore-end of the jetty, at Smyrna Dunes Park on the northern tip of New Smyrna on Friday 29th (S. Linney). DeLorme p. 75; Pranty p. 176
BREVARD COUNTY
An AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was present in Titusville Sunday 9th. Locals refer to this area on the north side of 406 just before the entrance to Merritt Island NWR as “jet-ski area” (just past Marine Patrol), which is where the plover was seen. The plover was still there on Wednesday. The male EURAISAN WIGEON is currently being seen along Blackpoint Drive, between markers 6 & 7 (T. Rodriguez). DeLorme p. 81/82; Pranty p. 176
PINELLAS COUNTY
During the 6th & 7th, between Indian Rocks Beach and John’s Pass, 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, a LONG-TAILED DUCK, & a POMARINE JAEGER were seen from the gulf (J. Fisher). DeLorme p. 90
On Saturday 7th, along the Sunshine Skyway at the Blackthorn Memorial Park an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was found (M. Korosy). DeLorme p. 90
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
A PINE SISKIN has been coming to a bird feeder at Steve Backes’ house in Valrico. Go south on Valrico Rd. from SR 60 to Durant Rd. (through one traffic light to the stop sign). Go west (right) on Durant to the second left (Meadowridge Dr.). Head Southwest on Meadowridge to 1512. The feeders are in the backyard on the left. Listen for the goldfinches. They may be in my yard or across the street. They spook easily but usually come back fairly soon after things calm down (S. Backes). DeLorme p. 91/92
An immature RUFOUS/ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD showed up on Friday morning in Ed Kwater’s yard. Birders are welcome to come and see this bird. The address is 3803 Cloverhill Court, Brandon, FL (see directions below). Please park in the driveway or the cul-de-sac and watch from the end of the driveway. With your back to the house look left at the Ligustrum bush (the bush with a small bird feeder under it) in the neighbors yard (#3801), as this is where the bird is most easily seen. Also watch the Bottlebrush Tree to the side of my driveway. Although I haven't seen the Rufous/Allen's feeding in it yet this tree is a particular favorite with Ruby-throats. PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE REAR YARD AND THERE'S NO NEED TO KNOCK ON EITHER OUR DOOR OR THE NEIGHBOR'S DOOR TO ASK PERMISSION. Many thanks! Directions: Take I 75 south to the 301 south exit then take Bloomingdale Avenue east. Go a couple of miles to John Moore and make a right, then turn left on Bloomingfield after 300 yards. Go over 6 speed bumps and Cloverhill Court will be on your left. We are at the end of the cul-de-sac on the left (E. Kwater). DeLorme p. 91/92
SARASOTA COUNTY
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota on Sunday 9th (J. Swarr). DeLorme p. 97
LEE COUNTY
The female SURF SCOTER can still be found from Bodwitch Point looking east into Estero Pass. A LONG-BILLED CURLEW is also in the area (V. Lucas). DeLorme p. 110; Pranty p. 191
PALM BEACH COUNTY
An adult male VERMILION FLYCATCHER is wintering at the Belle Glade Marina on C.R. 717 near Belle Glade. The bird patrolled its territory from the Eared Acacia trees in front of the park's community center to the telephone wires across from the volleyball area (V. Lucas & J. Estep). DeLorme p. 108; Pranty p. 205
At Loxahatchee NWR, along Lox Road, two flocks of SMOOTH-BILLED ANIS were found. Four near the Trailhead, South of trail. Then two at the water meter before the first lock, South of trail (M. Reid). DeLorme p. 115; Pranty p. 211
BOWARD COUNTY
Along SW 196th Avenue in Pembroke Pines, a pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES was seen in the very distant melaleucas. The kites appeared to be nesting here (V. Lucas & E. Estep). DeLorme p. 115
At Perimeter Park on the south side of the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport off of the Griffin Rd. Exit of I-95, seven SMOOTH-BILLED ANIS were found along the chain-link fence on West Perimeter Rd. on Tuesday 10th (V. Lucas & E. Estep). DeLorme p. 115
COLLIER COUNTY
At least two BRONZED COWBIRDS are still being seen at Eagle Lakes Community Park on U.S. 41 in East Naples. Look for the mixed flock of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Boat-tailed Grackles that hang out at the retention ponds on the northerly and easterly sides of the park (D. Thurston). DeLorme p. 111
A PINE SISKIN has been seen several times over the last week at the bird feeders along the boardwalk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Interested parties might call the Sanctuary at (239) 348-9151 to check on the status of this bird before venturing out. Corkscrew Sanctuary is open from 7:00AM until 5:30 PM every day. Admission is $8 for non-Audubon members and $5 for members (fide V. Lucas). DeLorme p. 111; Pranty p. 203
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
On the 5th & 7, five LARK SPARROWS were in and under brush piles on the southeast side of a pineland located just west of the Ag. Extension office at SW 187 AVE & 288 ST. The pineland is located on the south side of SW 288 ST about 500 feet west of SW 187 AVE. A possible CERULEAN WARBLER was also seen in the area. DeLorme p. 122
Over the past week off of Key Biscayne several POMARINE & PARASITIC JAEGERS were observed off shore (R. Diaz). DeLorme p. 119; Pranty p. 222
Over the weekend, a LEAST FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, & a BOBOLINK were found at Lucky Hammock (B. Roberts & J. Boyd). DeLorme p. 122
MIAMI-DADE/MONROE COUNTIES
The following reports are from Everglades NP. At the Cole Visitor Center the RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD is still being seen at the firebushs near the restrooms. Two dark-morph SHORT-TAILED HAWKS were seen soaring over Royal Palm Hammock on Saturday 7th. From the end of Snake Bight Trail seven adult GREATER FLAMINGOS were seen off to the east/southeast. A GULL-BILLED TERN was seen hunting over Eco Pond on Saturday 7th. Later that evening six LESSER NIGHTHAWKS were over Eco Pond around 6pm. Another SHORT-TAILED HAWK was soaring over the Coastal Prairie Trail on Sunday 8th (B. Roberts & J. Boyd). DeLorme p. 121/122; Pranty p. 234
Good Birding!
Documentation of rarities for FL Ornithological Society Records
Committee should be sent to:
FOSRC, c/o Archbold Biological Station, PO Box 2057,
Lake Placid FL 33862.
Website: http://www.fosbirds.org/
Florida Rare Bird Alert Mail-list: To subscribe go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FLRBA
Florida Birding website: http://www.javaswift.com/floridabirds/
FLORIDABIRDS-L website: http://bkpass.tripod.com/floridabirds.htm
For more information on Florida bird sightings, locations, and
discussion please visit the following archives:
Statewide sightings/discussion listserv:
BIRDBRAINS: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html
FLABIRDING: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/
FLORIDABIRDS-L: http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/floridabirds-l.html
Regional sightings/discussion listservs:
North Florida: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/
East Florida: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eastbirders/
Southwest Florida: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/
Southeast Florida: http://tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/index.html
Brian Ahern
Tampa, FL.
BrianAhern@aol.com