Posted by Juan on May 01, 2003 at 09:18:26:
Camping two weeks ago in Everglades Natl. Park on a key about 6 miles South of Cape Sable I found a Purple Gallinule wing. Also on this key was a stunning Osprey nest that contained 2 Brown Pelican skulls, a Brown Pelican wing and tails from Jack Crevalle(a fish), all interwoven into the nest. A Peregrine made repeated unsucessful attempts at a resident Kingfisher as well as weary Merlins passing through. The Peregrine-Merlin acrobatics were most edifying. Warbler numbers were low, last year Mother's Day, it was terrific.
This past Sunday as I was driving to work, 2 miles north of downtown Miami, 3 blocks west of Biscayne Boulevard, in a very industial area
there was an injured Purple Gallinule in a roadside gutter. As I drove past it was slightly moving its legs. It had red ants on it and its neck was broken.
Extremely depressing situation-. I removed the ants and laid it on some towels in a box at my office where it died an hour later. Did I mention how ugly this ever-sprawling city is?
This Monday and Tuesday Adams Key in Biscayne Natl. Park had a very accomodating flock of 1l Bobolinks as well as three Indigo Buntings. Cape May, Blackpoll, and a few other warblers were also present.