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Posted by Jeff Weber on 11:35:20 11/02/08
The "beginning" Bird Walk held yesterday in Everglades National Park drew only four birders, and none of them was a beginner. I think perhaps some additional pre-walk publicity would draw more participants, as people are always telling me, "Gee, I wish I'd known you were doing that so we could have joined you." Anyway, I know we can't control what the Herald runs, but maybe an e-mail reminder to TAS members and member prospects would do the trick. Who knows?
We started at the Coe Visitors' Center, where there were two Ruby-throated Hummers in the Fire Bush near the building. In the very still air at the visitors' center, we could hear the Sandhill Cranes calling from way over at Lucky Hammock - Amazing.
We stopped at the second bridge just inside the park and scared up an American Bittern.
At the "mound" behind Gate 15 on the Old Ingraham Highway, we had an adult Bald Eagle perched in the far distance to the south, as well as a beautiful pair (male and female) of Hooded Mergansers. Saw lots of Bella Moths on the walk to the hill.
Farther into the park, a stop at Mahogany Hammock turned up a Barred Owl, a Baltimore Oriole and a late Red-eyed Vireo. A very nice yellow Liguus snail right next to the boardwalk gave me some good photo ops. A fast-moving and large Everglades Racer on the road out was the only snake of the trip.
At Mrazak Pond, we had two American Wigeons among the many Blue-winged Teal. Also had Shovelers there and Black-crowned Night Heron.
Scoping from the Visitors' Center at Flamingo brought us Yellow-crowned Night Heron, lots of American White Pelicans, Caspian Tern, and Roseate Spoonbill. A couple of American Crocodiles were hanging out near the marina, as usual. A make Northern Harrier cruising right next to the car was a treat.
That's about it. The high water levels throughout the park kept the birds pretty much spaced apart. Can't wait until winter.
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