Posted by Robin Diaz on November 05, 2003 at 14:45:05:
Sorting through 200+ Black-bellied Plovers paid off today when I found 2 American Golden-Plovers. One raised its wings for ID and the other one still had some golden speckling on the upperparts. Both had the characteristic contrasty head pattern, short, thin bill and long primaries. Usual wintering shorebirds are in place with 25+ dowitchers and 1 Dunlin imitating a phalarope. So far, only 4 Lesser Black-backed gulls. A few Caspian Terns are mixed with the Royals. Adult male and female frigatebirds flying low along the shoreline seemed to make the gulls and shorebirds nervous.
Offshore, a loose "line" of 7 jaegers flew south around noon, with 2 more following ~100 yards behind. Three of the 7 showed some light coloration when doing their "wheelies." One jaeger sp. was seen yesterday.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP was quiet yesterday. There were 8 warbler species, including 2 Magnolias and a Yellow-breasted Chat. A Peregrine separated a Monk Parakeet from a flock and nailed it, giving new meaning to "eat your greens." Wintering species seem to be setting up territories, including singing House Wrens and Gray Catbirds. Both bunting species are present.