Posted by Paul Bithorn on February 09, 2003 at 10:05:29:
The Tropical Audubon Society Field Trip led by Todd and Ellen Snow on Saurday, February 8, 2003, was chock full of birding nuggets, 101 species to be exact.
A Rufous/Allen (sounds like a running back, doesn't it?) Hummingbird, feeding in the firebush (Hamelia patens), greeted the group as they congregated at the Visitor's Center.A quick backtrack to an area known as Flynn's on the loop between S.W. 209 Ave. and S.W. 212th Ave, well described in the third paragraph on Page 232 of Pranty's; A Birder's Guide to Florida just off of the main road into Everglades National Park (SR-9336)in Florida City was fruitless, but later in the day on our way out of the park, a dozen Western Kingbirds and two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers came in to roost.
Our next stop, Lucky Hammock, produced Peregrine Falcon, Least Flycatcher, and a Yellow-breasted Chat.In the area south of the
hammock known as the Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area, an immature Broad-winged Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Cedar Waxwings, American Golfinches, Painted Bunting and a rare northern Yellow Warbler (female)were found.
Highlights of Anhinga/Gumbo Limbo Trail were Purple Gallinule, Glossy Ibis, Wood Stork, Black-throated Green Warbler and a Yellow-throated Vireo.Research Center Rd. on the trail starting at Gate 2 blessed us with Brown-headed Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebirds and Pine Warblers.The nature trail on Long Pine Key had Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Eastern Towhee. Paurotis Pond had many Wood Storks in the process of nest buiding. Water levels are down, giving great promise for a late but successful nesting season for this endangered species. A lone Roseate Spoonbill was amongst them.
Flamingo had a Yellow-throated and Cape May Warbler, female Baltimore Oriole and three light adult Short-tailed Hawks and one dark adult. Eco pond was quiet but a Sora was located feeding amongst the cattails.
Start the drumroll.......Mahogany Hammock is now open! On the way way out we stopped in to see a beautifully reconstucted boardwalk built with Trex a composite lumber that should last for many mango seasons to come.The West Indian Hardwood Hammock was quiet but for a calling Barred Owl and a White-crowned Pigeon. It may take a while for the birds to move back in after all of the construction.
One of Bermuda's finest, Paul Watson, an excellent birder joined us for the day and found many of our better birds. A celebratory libation of Presidente Pilsener, Bass Pale Ale and Samuel Adams Boston Lager (I had help) capped a great day of birding.Life is good..............