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Posted by David S. on 20:27:15 03/02/09
In Reply to: TAS Trip report So Broward 2-28-2009 posted by John Hutchison
We were camping with the Boy Scouts at Markham Park last weekend and we were visited by a young Purple Gallinule 4-6 times throughout our stay. We camped right on the north bank of the lake where all the cattails are located. This gallinule would wander out of the 'tails and right into the campsite! Not only that, it would come within 2 feet of you if you held still. It was foraging for spilled spicy nacho cheese chips the messy scouts left lying around. Competition was pretty stiff, though, with 50-75 Boat-tailed Grackles snapping up those chips like candy! We would all stop what we were doing whenever the Purple Gallinule appeared. This bird was quite tame and inquisitive and came right up to us. The color detail was exquisite, no need for binoculars. We sort of adopted him for our mascot and made sure he was noticed whenever he appeared. I'm sure with all the people, picnics, and food at Markham Park, these birds have it figured out people are part of the food triangle. Anyway, I'm sorry your group missed this wonderful friendly bird. If anyone goes there again, remember, go to the North side of the lake and look in the Cattails. That's we first saw him.
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