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Posted by Alex Harper on 23:33:50 08/13/08
My first stop was Cutler Wetlands at about 4:00. I didn't spend too much time, as shorebirds seemed limited.
I came up with the following of note:
Mottled Duck
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Greater Yellowlegs
Least Tern
I saw quite a few Cave Swallows at their usual haunt on the way back..
I headed off to the agricultural fields just outside of ENP and quickly found the Horned Lark (state bird #324). Also in the area were:
Killdeer
Black-bellied Plovers
Black-necked Stilts
Pectoral Sandpipers
and
Least Sandpipers
I went to check The Annex for flycatchers, and after being there for only five minutes or so, a traills flycatcher flew in. Silent, of course. It was hanging out just past the furniture of some sort, staying in the figs specifically. A few Barn Swallows, gnatcatchers, and American Redstarts were spotted.
On the way into ENP, two Bald Eagles drew attention to passing park-goers. One grabbed a grackle and plucked it right along the road.
A stop to the visitor center produced an Everglades Racer.
I was not able to see or hear any Cape Sable Seaside Sparrows from south of Mahogany Hallmock, although that was somewhat of a longshot. A few White-crowned Pigeons were seen on the drive down to Flamingo.
The flats from the Flamingo Visitor Center was full of birds:
American White Pelicans
Roseate Spoonbill
Glossy Ibis
Reddish Egret
Spotted Sandpiper
Marbled Godwit
Black Skimmer
as well as the usual assorted waders, cormorants, gulls, etc.
I was really hoping for a flamingo to join the hundreds of waders that flew south for the night roost. Three crocodiles, some feeding tarpon, and a beautiful sunset were also seen.
Finally, on the drive back, I saw some snakes:
Florida Cottonmouth- 4
Banded Watersnakes- 1
Green Watersnake- 1
Garter Snakes- 3 or 4
Corn Snake- 1
And a 3 or 4 foot Burmese Python
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