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Posted by B. Bockhahn on 17:31:34 04/22/10
I birded south FL and spend two nights on Dry Tortugas from April 16-21, 2010.
In the everglades I did not see the Bar-tailed Godwit or the Ani, but did finally get the Mangrove Cuckoo, so long to that nemesis.
Dry Tortugas is as amazing as I ve heard, Brown and Masked boobies, Brown Noddy and of course Sooty Tern. 14 species of warbler, 5 vireo sp, most right over my tent.
Highlight was a Thick-billed Vireo around my tent (site 8) on April 19 seen three times from 830-10am at a distance of just a few feet. On April 20 it was seen again near campground bathroom. I don t believe I was the first to see it, as a construction worker there described to me one being seen previously that week. Two other campers from Clearwater FL got to see it, but others in the campground and all subsequent birding groups from the boat were not able to relocate it, I don t think.
I couldn t get a photo of that, but did get two quick and awful shots of a Sharp-tailed Sparrow, probably a Nelsons. I saw it nearing dusk near the construction area by a white bucket in that thicket. The photo does show the streaked back and eye ring, but not the orange buff face triangle that was visible through binoculars. It was not all that cooperative compared the warblers I was almost stepping on.
The checklist for Dry T only lists one TBVI and has neither sharp tailed sp. Who, where do I send photos or report forms. I m sure I can find out but am still napping off driving all night on the way there and the way back.
I ended up with 85 species from Dry T, Short-eared Owl, Whimbrels perched on the campground coaling dock for easy photos, Gray Kingbird, Broad-winged Hawk, Blackburnian, Swainsons Warblers.
Overall trip list was 140, Antillean Nighthawk on the keys, Swallow-tailed Kites galore.
Also saw Manatee, dolphin, Green, Loggerhead and Leatherback sea turtles, nurse shark, goliath grouper and many barracuda.
Brian Bockhahn
Falls Lake State Park Ranger
Falls & Kerr Lake CBC Compiler
Wake Forest NC 27587
cbockhahn4@earthlink.net
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