Posted by Robin Diaz on September 21, 2003 at 11:51:31:
Liz Golden and I scoured Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP yesterday for 6 hours. Paul Bithorn was able to spend several hours also, so the park was well covered. It was slow compared to other fall counts. According to Friday night's radar, many birds took off with the good weather.
We totaled 11 warbler species; best being Worm-eating, Hooded and Yellow-breasted Chat. Raptors are showing up on the Key, with 8 species now represented. 2 Merlins were around yesterday. Paul turned up Brown Thrasher, uncommon in the park and Michelle Davis reported Swainson's Thrush, Blue Grosbeak and Traill's Flycatcher. A couple more empids were around, but not wearing name tags. An adult Chipping Sparrow (unusual for the park) was near the bike path restrooms.
Crandon Beach did not have anything unusual yesterday. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull has joined the 2 immatures and FOS Herring Gull (youngster) showed up. Black Skimmers and Sandwich Terns are still abundant; Piping Plover numbers are increasing.