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Posted by Brian Rapoza on 20:27:14 12/06/08
Twenty-three birders, including thirteen from Collier Audubon Society, joined me for today's carpool trip to Marco Island. After a brief stop at the no-longer-abandoned airboat concession on Tamiami Trail, one mile west of the Shark Valley entrance to Everglades National Park (one distant Snail Kite was seen), we met up with Collier Audubon members at Kirby Storter Boardwalk in Big Cypress National Preserve. Species seen there included Downy Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird and Louisiana Waterthrush. Birds tallied along Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, as well as across Tamiami Trail from the boardwalk, included Northern Harrier, Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl (heard), Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Swamp Sparrow.
After lunch at the roadside picnic area in Collier-Seminole State Park (a Red-tailed Hawk was perched in a nearby pine), we headed to Tigertail Beach on Marco Island. A Peregrine Falcon was spotted on the roof of a distant hi-rise. Shorebirds seen in the lagoon included Black-bellied, Wilson's, Semipalmated and Piping Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Western and Least Sandpiper, Dunlin and Short-billed Dowitcher. After crossing the lagoon onto the barrier island, a single Snowy Plover was found among a group of assorted shorebirds. Before everyone in the group was able to see the Snowy, the flock was scattered by a Peregrine Falcon wearing what appeared to be a radio transmitter. Other birds seen at the beach included Magnificent Frigatebird, American White Pelican and Reddish Egret.
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