Posted by Susan Schneider on November 08, 2003 at 19:24:58:
Birding the Tamiami Trail frontage road this morning between the first access and the Valujet memorial access, I located an adult female Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. I'm new in town, and haven't seen this species since my Kansas years long ago, so it was a real treat. I gather scissortails aren't unusual here in the winter, but I'll mention the location in case anyone's interested: just east of the Coopertown Airboat Tour concession, near the handy foot bridge across the canal for those who don't want to brave the frontage road (I recommend avoiding the low branch--still flooded in spots). I thought at first it was a mockingbird, but one glance at the pink flanks had me raising my eyebrows! The bird was perched on a wire and periodically living up to its name.
Other highlights that might be of general interest were two Snail Kites, including one in a far scope view which obligingly displayed its white rump patch after a couple minutes of uncertainty (mine, not the Kite's). Had a nice chance to compare N. Harrier with these kites. Also enjoyed the requisite gator sighting.
For me, this is all still new and exciting. (What a neat bird the Anhinga is!--I stopped and studied each one, but *that* won't continue long.) But I had to stop checking through all the flocks of palm warblers for other warbler species--there's just too many of them! My goodness, seems like we have a whole continent's worth here--not that they're not nice to have.
Good birding, Susan
Susan Schneider
sschneider7@juno.com