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Posted by Paddy Cunningham on 20:04:38 05/14/08
At Bonnet House in the courtyard a Conneticut Warbler was very cooperative walking around in the grass and in and out of the plantings. It was first identified by Ann Wiley who kept an eye on it for up to 3 hours in the afternoon of 5/14/08. A Mangrove Cuckoo was seen flying into, stopping briefly before disappearing into a large Strangler Fig on 5/13/08 at about 10:30 am. The black mask could be seen as well as the non-rusty wings in flight. The area is in the south part of the property, south of the gravel trail, past the Castor Bean in a large Strangler Fig at the top of the ridge. The area reminded me so much of my first Mangrove Cuckoo at Deering Estate in the coastal strand hammock in the higher area on the edge of a mangrove estuary. It was following some migrating Yellow-bills Cuckoos. I also observed this behavior once around the same time during migration years ago at Deerfield Island where 5 Yellow-bills were flying and the larger sulking
Mangrove Cuckoo was deeper in the hammock flying behind them. Go figure. Watch Yellow-bill Cuckoo's in historical Mangrove Cuckoo areas and one might show up. Also seen on 5/13 were 250 plus birds-American Redstarts, Blackpolls, Black-throated Blues, Common Yellowthroat, Cape May, Black & White, Magnolia, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush and one unidentified (it impressed me as a Kentucky, but could not be found again-argh!!-I had 60 sixth grade students to take on the trail)
Now that I am doing my bird classes and taking my school groups there, the birding potential for this area has yet to be untapped. I am developing a list now and please forward all observations. It has all the potential of Birch State Park (although smaller) but without all the picnics, dogs, cars, rollerbladers and bikes. It is a very quiet place, few visitors and a great place for migration. I started a quick talk (after the Connecticut) with the administrator to see if the annual membership fee could include some of the bird classes or field trips, but I will update you if a birders membership is developed for grounds only.
The Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road. Take I-95 to Sunrise Blvd. Go east past US 1 and the Galleria Mall. Go over the intracoastal bridge and at the first light (not the firehouse light) turn right on Birch Road. A 7-11 is on the corner. If you get to A1A you've gone too far. Follow the road to the right to the west gate which is on a dead end cul-de-sac. Turn left into the park. I believe it is $10 for grounds and $15 for house and grounds. Stay tuned for updates on bird classes next year and possible birder membership.
Bird by Intention and become a Bird Seeker.
www.birdadventure.com
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