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Posted by Brian Rapoza on 21:51:26 08/25/07
Highlights of today's TAS/Miami Blue carpool trip to CREW Marsh in Collier County:
Fifteen participants left from Doc Thomas House at 6:00 AM, and met up with another seven participants waiting for us at the I-75 service plaza at Government Road. Species seen along Government Road (CR 833) and CR 846 included Crested Caracara (7), Limpkin, Sandhill Crane, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, plus good numbers of wild hogs and white-tailed deer, and a possible long-tailed weasel that scurried across the road.
We arrived at CREW Marsh about 9:00 AM, where trip co-leader and wildflower expert extraordinaire Roger Hammer, along with several other Miami Blue members, were patiently waiting. Roger spotted a Brown-head Nuthatch just before our arrival, but it was not relocated. Birds we did see included Red-shouldered Hawk, Common Nighthawk, Downy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Pine Warbler, American Redstart and Eastern Towhee. Roger pointed out a number of CREW Marsh's many botanical highlights, including several of the beautiful Michaux's Orchid (Habenaria quinqueseta). A number of butterfly species were seen, including Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak and an as-yet unidentified skipper. A juvenile armadillo entertained participants as it scurried between our legs.
At noon, many of us headed to nearby Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, while Elane Nuehring and several Miami Blue members stayed at CREW Marsh to continue the search for butterflies. Hopefully, Elane will follow-up with a complete report of butterflies seen during the day. The highlight at Corkscrew Swamp was undoubtedly the now-famous Ghost Orchid, still in bloom and easily seen through a spotting scope set up by sanctuary docents. Blooming Scarlet Rosemallow (Hibiscus coccineus) were also seen along the boardwalk. Avian highlights at Corkscrew included Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler and Northern Waterthrush. A pair of Eastern Fox Squirrels were spotted by participants in Bob Pace's car as we exited the sanctuary.
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