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Posted by Toe on 20:55:20 09/10/08
In Reply to: offshore Key Biscayne: shearwaters and sea ducks posted by Robin@tropicalaudubon.org
I arrived at Crandon South Beach after 5:00 pm and for the first hour didn't see anything. I missed the 14 Scoters seen by Robin at 5:45, so I started paying more attention. At about 6:20 I spotted a Sooty Shearwater heading south just past the breakers. I followed it for quite a distance as it banked and glided just above the wave tops. I got on the phone with Robin to alert her that a Sooty was headed her way and she said she was on a Jaeger. As she said that I saw the Shearwater pass the Jaeger in my scope. I briefly looked at the Jaeger and it looked non-pomarine, but was too far for me to try to ID. Besides, Robin had it right in front of her location and from her description it sounds like a Parasitic.
About 10 minutes later a flock of about 15 White-winged Scoters came by also heading south in the surf zone. I put these on the scope and got great looks, but couldn't get an exact count due to all the waves.
Thanks for the heads-up Robin. Sooty Shearwater and White-winged Scoters off the beach is way cool. Beer birds? What do you think?
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