Posted by John Boyd on January 14, 2003 at 14:19:12:
Last Sunday's S. Dade birding trip ended up with 83 species, not bad for a windy day (although we had to settle for only 8 warbler species).
We started at the Burger King in Florida City, where Common Myna was a lifer for some of the participants. Other birds including RS Hawk and House Sparrow were also present.
From there we went to "Flynn's" in search of Kingbirds and Scissortailed Flycatcher. We evidently had the timing wrong as none were seen. We did manage to find a Broad-winged Hawk just before tuning onto 209th.
From there we headed to Lucky Hammock. Highlights included 2 show-off male Painted Buntings, and Brown-crested and Least Flycatchers. Many birds were laying low due to the wind. A Chat was seen just before we arrived, and was sometimes heard teasing us.
Our next stop was Coe Visitors Center. We had no luck with hummingbirds (the Rufous/Allen's was seen Saturday), but added some warblers. It was on to the Homestead airport where we found a Burrowing Owl lurking near a cone. Then someone came over and asked if we were looking for owls...and pointed out a very cooperative owl on top of a hanger door.
Mary Krome Park was the next stop. This time we found a Rufous/Allen's (which I had noted on Saturday) plus both male and female Ruby-throats. We also added Redstart and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
It was lunch time, so we made use of one of the shelters at Black Point. After lunch, we walked out on the jetty, adding some waders, Turnstone and Spotted Sandpiper, Red-breasted Merganser and both Night-Herons.
Our final stop was nearby Dump Marsh. Hooded Mergansers, Am. Wigeon, Mottled Duck and Blue-winged Teal were found in the SW pond, along with White Pelican, Semipalmated Plover, Solitary and Least Sandpiper and both Yellowlegs.
The NE pond had Ring-necked Duck plus thousands of gulls. We were able to distinguish Laughing, Ring-billed, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Greater Black-backed.