Posted by Jim Sigsbee on January 13, 2003 at 17:33:07:
A number of notable birds were seen on Tropical Audubon's trip to Merritt Island on Jan. 11 and 12, led by Ellen and Todd Snow. A Common Eider was seen near the jetty in Jetty Park near Port Canaveral. Common Loon, Northern Gannet, and Greater Black-backed Gull were also seen here. A Lapland Longspur was seen from the boardwalk and on the boardwalk at New Smyrna Dunes State Park. A single Purple Sandpiper was found with a flock of Ruddy Turnstones on the jetty as well. At Merritt Island and Canaveral National Seashore, two Clapper Rails were seen very well, along with Avocets, Peregrine, Scrub Jay, and glimpses of Sedge Wren. Two Surf Scoters were seen in the Intracoastal Waterway from South Palm Park in Lake Worth. An out-of-habitat American Oystercatcher was seen resting on a dock here as well.