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Posted by Angel & Mariel on 23:47:02 08/14/08
In Reply to: Correction on location for Buff-breasted Sandpiper posted by Rafael Galvez
We had originally planned to go looking for the Traill's Flycatcher that Alex Harper had seen at the Annex. We also wanted to make a quick stop by to observe the Horned Lark again. Just before we left work we got a call from Carl Edwards then followed by Toe to report that Rafael had seen a Buff-breasted Sandpiper closeby the HOLA spot.
Being a life bird this made it another reason to go. When we arrived we turned on to SW 224 Ave as Rafael had reported to search for Buff-breasted. Scanning the fields on our way to the intersection of SW 384 St we spotted a group of Pectoral Sandpiper and one of them was apparently different. We both observed the bird thru our binocs to note the field marks. Then I kept my eye on the bird while Angel looked up Buff-breasted in our field guide and read it aloud. We compared the illustrations to the bird and it matched, confirming our life Buff-breasted Sandpiper(#284 for the year)! The group of Pectorals took off leaving the BBSA behind, seconds later the BBSA flew off in their same direction. We tried to follow them in our binocs but lost them in the distance.
Shortly afterwards we ran into David, Tricia, Jeanette, Roxanne & Troy. David and the group pulled over and armed with a scope we tried to relocate the BBSA with out luck. We got awesome looks at some Pectorals & Barn Swallow through the scope which is always nice. After David and gang had taken off to look for Uplands we keep driving towards the Horned Lark spot where we quickly found the bird and photographed it.
From there we headed to the Annex to look for the Traill's, we spotted the small wooden table on the west side of the road and Mariel made a joke about "Do you need a table?" and then just like that a Flycatcher flew across the road. Right in front of our windshield the flycatcher gave us only a quick view. Since we could not confirm that is was a Traill's we left the Annex with a maybe it could have been a Traill's. Unfortunately we couldn't get a good enough look or hear it's call so we can't count it towards our Florida big year, maybe another time.
We made a quick stop to get another look at the Horned Lark and found the Buff-breasted again in the exact spot that Rafael posted earlier just further west. On our way down 384 St we bumped into Eva Matthews which was nice to finally meet. She was there looking for the HOLA so we tried to relocate it for about 30 minutes or so until the rain came down. It was getting late so we left Eva still searching for the bird and wished her the best of luck in finding it. We really hope that she did.
Thanks to Rafael for posting the bird and to Carl & Toe for calling us with the great news.
Nature is Awesome
Angel & Mariel
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