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Posted by Brian Rapoza on 20:15:30 05/17/09
In Reply to: TAS Key Largo Bird, Butterfly & Plant Walk posted by Joe Barros
The afternoon extension to Marathon was also quite successful. At Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, we had up-close looks at a very cooperative Black-whiskered Vireo; we also saw White-crowned Pigeon and, at the southern edge of its range, a Northern Flicker. A stop at Long Key State Park produced only two each of American Redstart and Blackpoll Warbler. At Marathon Government Center (MM 48.5), we had over 40 Roseate Terns and a few Least Terns circling over the roof of the government center building. At Sombrero Beach Golf Course, we found a couple of Burrowing Owls outside their burrows. A pair of Burrowing Owls, with two young at the burrow entrance, were seen in Key Colony (MM54, take Sadowski Ave south), at the intersection of Ocean Drive and 10th Street. At least three Antillean Nighthawks were heard, and briefly seen by at least one participant, at Marathon Airport.
Regarding the Greater Sandplover in Jacksonville, as reported by Trey Mitchell earlier: Mission Accomplished!!! Also seen: Purple Sandpiper, Gull-billed Tern, several Whimbrel and hundreds of Red Knots! Definitely a memorable birding weekend. Thanks to Joe Barros for leading yesterday's trip, to John Boyd for driving us up to Jacksonville today, and to Thomas Dunkerton for getting me on the sandplover. I can't think of a more beautiful bird for ABA #700!
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