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Posted by Stephen Paez on 11:09:14 06/20/09
Got up early this morning to go to Everglades in search of 2 lifers: N. Bobwhite and Brown-Headed Nuthatch. For the Bobwhite I planned for Long Pine Key and Research Rd for the Nuthatches. Entrance is free at Everglades this weekend. First I headed for Long Pine Key. No one else was there. As soon as I got out of the car, mosquitoes very all over me, even though I had sprayed myself. It was insane. To make matters worse, I hear the Bobwhite call as I rush back to my car. I put on more spray and decide to brave it since the bird was near and I had driven this far. The bird called from a bush off a path by the parking. I walk towards the bush and nothing. I finally see some movement and decide to rush the bush since I know the bird has to be there and I need to get back to my car (damn skeeters). Two finally explode from the bush and I was able to get decent but brief looks at a male and a female as they land and run off. Also had Downy Woodpecker, Flicker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, American Crow, Osprey and Towhee in the same area. One bird down, one more to go. I head to Research Rd. Per Brian Rapoza's book, Birding Florida, I was to check for Bluebirds on the wires. As soon as I turned on Research, I had a Bluebird on the wire. Hadn't seen one in a while. Then I look for Gates 2, 2A and 2B (per the same book) in order to find the Nuthatch. Mosquitoes seemed less intense in this area (or I had bathed in more spray by now). Had Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Towhee, Cardinals, Pine Warbler and finally 2 Brown-Headed Nuthatches by Gate 2. Very satisfying to set a goal for seeing 2 lifers and finally get to see them.
On the way back (with my upper lip bloated like a bad lip injection from a bite) I check out Lucky Hammock and Annex. Nothing spectacular, Common Ground-Doves, both Vultures, but checked out some commotion at the annex. A Red-Shouldered Hawk had caught a juvenile Common Grackle, still struggling in its clutches. The grackles surrounded the hawk and screeched to no avail. An Eastern Kingbird joined in on the attack. Anyway, remember your bug spray if you plan to bird!
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