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Posted by Stephen Paez on 18:09:03 02/28/10
Met up with 2 beginning birder friends that wanted to go to Shark Valley. I met up with them at FIU Nature Preserve. Place was pretty quiet but hissing noises from trees were many Cedar Waxwings (lifers for my friends). Also had Gnatcatcher, Prairie and Yellow-Rumped Warblers.
Shark Valley entrance was packed with cars and bikes and we decided to move on.
On Tamiami had many DC Cormorants, Anhingas, all the typical egrets, white and glossy ibises. Went to the spot after the Miccosukee Center for the Snail Kites (lifers my friends wanted). Great views of 2 males hunting and one even perched in front of us and ate a snail. Another surprise were 2 Swallow-tailed kites soaring low over the same area. Two types of cool kites together!
The Oasis center had many Tree Swallows and Savannah Sparrows whcih acted like common House Sparrows in the parking area. The sparrows were also lifers for my friends.
On to Kirby Storter. Pretty much the same egrets, herons etc...and Great Crested Flycatcher, Black and White Warbler, Palm Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Pine Warbler, a very tame Yellow-Throated Warbler, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, RB Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike, C. Crow, Red-shouldered Hawk and a Blue-Headed Vireo. My lifer for the day was a Water Moccasin/Cottonmouth rolled up on a branch on the water. Great views of a scary-looking guy.
Had a beautiful day.
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