Posted by Robin Diaz on November 11, 2003 at 21:47:50:
I was able to do a couple of mini Seawatches today from the balcony. Although the shallow waters around Key Biscayne prevent really good seabirding, there were some birds of interest.
Northern Gannets came through in a steady stream today, but no large flocks. Immatures now outnumber adults. Frigatebirds were numerous, double and triple-teaming to harass gulls and terns. Ducks were infrequent, but close to shore. There were 2 small flocks of scaup sp. and 1 flock of 18 Red-breasted Mergansers.
Curiously, the only jaegers close enough for good ID were Pomarine; 1 yesterday and 3 today. Since the coloration was the same each time (juvenile light morph?), I suspect only 1-2 birds. The dark wedge-shaped tail, overall brown coloration, no-neck look, pot belly and flight style (deep labored strokes) made ID fairly easy. Other, slimmer jaegers didn't show up until mid-afternoon. At one time, 5 dark, slim jaegers were mixing it up with gulls and terns at a bait bloom. A later scan found 4 of these birds doing acrobatics and chasing terns. From their size, flight style, behavior and occurrence off our coast, I assume them to be Parasitic.
On Crandon Beach there are now ~7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 2 immature Herring.
If the wind shifts a little more NE, perhaps some Tweety Birds from the Bahamas will show up.