Posted by David LaPuma on July 11, 2003 at 14:22:29:
Since I've already received some questions regarding this trip, I thought I would post a more detailed description here, and direct future requests to this post. I know there's most likely something unorthodox about me doing so, but would you expect anything less???
September 13 Rogue Birding Tour
The Underground Holistic Birding Movement will lead an overnight Florida Keys trip during the weekend of September 13. Saturday will be spent meandering down through the Keys, stopping along Key Largo to look for Yellow Warbler (Cuban race), Mangrove Cuckoo, White-crowned Pigeon, Black Whiskered Vireo, and Gray Kingbird. We will reach the Keys Hawkwatch in the late morning, and hopefully catch some good views of raptors as they head south. We値l be looking especially hard for Mississippi Kites as their early migratory patters usually coincide with this time of year. We will visit The Wreck for lunch where you can get the best fish sandwich in town, and a cold Key West Sunset Ale on tap! MMMMMMM! We will continue to head south along the lower keys, stopping at several of the known locations for Antillian Nighthawks, as well as some lesser known migrant traps. We will reach Key West after dark, retiring to a local pub for the evening (sleeping is optional).
On Sunday morning we will head out on the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park ($100 fee). The day will be spent on Garden Key, notably one of the most fantastic migrant stopovers in South Florida. The Sooty Tern and Brown Noddy colonies will not be present at this time of year, which usually allows for entrance to Bird Key and a closer look at the Frigatebird colony as the males display their brilliant red throats! We will return to Key West in the evening, just in time for a beautiful sunset and celebratory beverage.
From here, you have the option of heading north, back to Miami, or remaining overnight in Key West for another day of birding. On Monday, Day three, we値l visit Indigenous Park to see what migrants have landed. Throughout the day we値l visit various local hotspots, including the Harris School Ficus, Fort Zachary Taylor, the Botanical Gardens, and the Publix Parking lot to look for the Slaty-backed Gull. After an exhilarating birding tour of the Key West area we値l meander north to Miami.
This will be a carpooled trip, therefore those sharing a car would be expected to cover shared gas costs. Additional meeting times and locations will be established in Key West, but accommodations will be up to the individual. The Key West Youth Hostel offers shared dormitory style rooms for $22/pp. For more information contact David La Puma at (305) 815 6255, or email at woodcreeper@dsli.com.
For an idea of possible birds, see these past postings: http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/messages/1225.html
http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/messages/1286.html
http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/messages/446.html