Posted by David LaPuma on March 05, 2001 at 15:14:50:
I spent the early hours of the morning trying to find
some new arrivals at Bill Baggs SP. Many gulls were present
on the right side of the Key Biscayne highway seeking refuge from the wind.
Most noteable were three Great Black-backed and one
beautiful breeding adult Lesser Black-backed. As for
Baggs, the wind was kicking up something fierce and not a
bird was to be seen (okay, 1 ovenbird, three palm warblers,
and 2 butterbutts!). Realizing that my searching was pointless,
I hightailed it to AD Barnes for a quick look before class.
Barnes was quiet for the most part, with the exception being
the woods around the boardwalk. Here I encountered the same
flock that Robin Diaz reported last week- Wilson's/Magnolia/Blue-headed
Virio/Prairie/Parula/Palm/Butterbutt/BG Gnatcatchers (they're singing
now...so cute!!). This seems to tell me that not much has come in on
the front....maybe after the south wind builds back in??? Or maybe
the birds caught wind of the conditions up North.
Other noteable sightings: at Baggs I encountered a 4.5 foot yellow
rat snake climbing out of a strangler fig looking very full.
At Barnes I spotted a Larryus Manfrediiform lurking in the
parking lot. I tried to pish it out but it got spooked and
dissapeared. It did not seem to be associated with any other
species.
Well...it looks like we'll just have to wait until next front!
bood girding
David LaPuma
Miami, FL