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Posted by Alex Harper on 17:32:04 12/19/09
At about 4:35 this afternoon, I spotted an immature Red-footed Booby at the Pelican Harbor between Miami and the beaches. I was trying to relocate the Franklin's Gull seen there earlier in the season. While looking at the gulls sitting on the outermost seawall, I saw an immature booby fly in from the southeast. It attempted to land among the gulls, extending it's orange feet for several seconds, then deciding to keep flying. I watched as it flew towards me, and then right over me. It disappeared behind the Pelican Harbor Bird Rehab Center (the disclaimer), and I ran to get my camera.
It then flew back towards me and I managed to snap several shots off as it flew over the 79th street causeway, heading south. I hopped in the car and crossed the causeway south towards the boat ramps. Looking south, there is a large spoil island where many birds roost, so it may roosting there.
I checked the area around the rehab center again, and saw someone leaving the building. And of course, they said they released the Red-footed Booby. However, it returns to feed, as it is a "slow release". I will need to call again in the morning for more information to determine how wild the bird actually is. Since it is under the influence of captivity, it is more than likely not ABA countable. If the bird is feeding naturally and roosting away from the rehab center, it is crossing the thin line which makes it ABA countable, as far as I can interpret. Here is an excerpt from ABA Recording Rules and Interpretations:
(i) A bird is under the influence of captivity during its initial flight away from its release point and during subsequent activity reasonably influenced by the captivity, such as initial perching and preening or early sleeping or roosting near the release point. http://www.aba.org/bigday/rules.pdf, page 76.
Now, I will speak to the rehab center tomorrow to ask more about the release and the birds habits and the rehab centers intentions with the bird. Perhaps they are weening the bird off and they will let it feed naturally. Hopefully this sighting will be useful to the CBC today, as well as ABA listers (including the county year listers). I also have several pictures that show the bird is an overall lighter brown than a Brown Booby that will hopefully end up on the board.
To get here from I-95, exit at 79th street and head east several miles. Cross the large bridge and onto Pelican Island/Harbor. Turn right at the light to scan where I saw the booby head towards. Hopefully it is roosting on the spoil island. You can then cross the street and head north into the bird rehab center parkinglot, which is to the right. It was first seen near the seawall beyond the docked boats. Look for the Franklin's Gull, too.
Alex Harper
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