[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Rock Jetty on 10:47:36 03/09/10
Heyy birders! (Sorry Felipe, couldn't help myself)
Here's a summary of some birding I did over the past three days targeting Brown-crested Flycatcher and Hermit Thrush.
Sunday, March 7 - Matheson Hammock "Dog Park"
8:00 AM:
Heard but did not see the BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER in the usual area, west of Old Cutler Road. The bird called several times but I could not pick out his exact location until he flew off, out of sight. A BLUE-HEADED VIREO scolded me at the entrance to the service road. Had to put in some time at the office so I left, but planned on returning later in the day.
Noon:
No sign of the flycatcher so I decided to walk the western trails in search of the thrush. Here comes the rant:
It's bad enough the hammock on the west side of Old Cutler Road has been overrun by the dog-walking elitists, but the east side also had a pooch running amok. This portion of the park has a big "No Pets Allowed" sign standing about halfway through the park, where the oaks and picnic tables are. It's merely a suggestion, hence the quotes I put around the words.
The western portion, on the other hand, is officially a dog-walking area (county officials caved in to the demands of the elitists) but there is another big sign and this one says something like "Leash Laws Strictly Enforced". Again, merely suggestive. All I'm saying is dog-walkers should be considerate to the other uses of the hammock. I must've come across at least two dozen loose dogs through my hammock walks; their owners eventually show up several yards behind. Some dogs snarled and growled at me; if they only knew the size of the knife I carry.
That said, no luck with the Hermit Thrush. I did see a bird flush from the ground up just as a dog (unleashed) and owner walked by though one of the narrower trails in the hammock. I'll bet you dollars to pennies it was a Hermit Thrush. Oh well.
Monday, March 8, Sadowski Park
5:15 PM:
Decided to try my luck here after work. Quiet. Did get rewarded with great views of a GREAT HORNED OWL and its chick. The latter was trying to fly.
Tuesday (today), March 9, Matheson Hammock Park
9:00-9:45 AM:
Tried my luck again with both species and was rewarded with great views of the BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, this time east of Old Cutler Road. The bird was very vocal and feeding along the oaks, about 50-60 yards south of the restrooms, along the paved trail. Also present was a large flock of birds that included the following:
Yellow-throated Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
Eastern Phoebe
Northern Parula
Prairie Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler (several)
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
Tried the trail system again but still no luck spotting a Hermit Thrush.
170 ABA for the year. I'm coming to get ya.
-RJ
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]