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Posted by John Boyd on 18:50:35 05/05/07
We saw 10 warbler species today, including 3 Yellow Warblers (Cuban race) near the Card Sound bridge. We also saw several each of typical keys birds including Magnificent Frigatebird, White-crowned Pigeon, Mangrove Cuckoo, Gray Kingbird, and Black-whiskered Vireo. We also found a Great White Heron, two Reddish Egrets (one red, one white) and a Roseate Spoonbill. After some flybys, the best looks at Mangrove Cuckoo came at Key Largo Hammocks. At least one Yellow-billed Cuckoo was in the area. (Visiting birders should be aware that both cuckoos breed throughout the keys.)
Although these were nice birds, none were unexpected. As far as I'm concerned, the highlight was a adult Mississippi Kite over Key Largo. These have sometimes been reported from the lower keys in May (most recently 1992 from the Tortugas...FFN didn't have anything newer). They are also seen in small numbers in fall at the Curry Hammock hawkwatch. I think this is the first spring report from the upper keys.
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