Posted by Stefan on October 26, 2003 at 21:04:03:
On Saturday, David LaPuma and I spent most of the day exploring the areas of the 232 wetlands. The Groove-billed Ani was nowhere to be found. But, we had at least 3 WHITE-TAILED KITES and 2 SNAIL KITES. Otherwise noteworthy were a single AMERICAN AVOCET, an AMERICAN WIGEON, a first year NORTHERN YELLOW WARBLER and a WESTERN SANDPIPER. After checking out the Vermilion Flycatcher at the Greenway, we saw 2 immature SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS at the Annex (about where the fields on both sides end).
Encouraged by David's tip that there would be no mosquitos at Long Pine Key (thanks, David!), Bryan Sharp (from the FL Keys Hawkwatch at Curry Hammock) and I set up camp there to get an early start. We had 3 WESTERN KINGBIRDS and 2 adult SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS at the Annex and 2 late BOBOLINKS across the road from Lucky Hammock amongst scores of female/immature PAINTED BUNTINGS. 2 GADWALL were at Mrazek Pond. Later at Flamingo marina, we would see the MISSISSIPPI KITE (how late is that bird?) circling overhead with a light morph SHORT-TAILED HAWK. We added another Short-tailed about half an hour later hunting above the lodge. We could not relocate the 2 Bronzed Cowbirds that Bryan found at the Flamingo visitor center on Saturday.