Posted by Brian Ahern on January 02, 2004 at 14:44:50:
RBA
* Florida
* Statewide
* Date January 2, 2004
* FLFL0401.02
-Birds mentioned:
++BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD**++
PACIFIC LOON
Snow Goose
ROSS’S GOOSE**
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD**
Rufous Hummingbird
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD**
LESSER NIGHTHAWK
VERMILION FLYCATCHER
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Wilson’s Warbler
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK
Lark Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
**This is a review species in Florida. Any details of sightings should be sent to the FOS Records Committee at the address given at the end of this report
Hotline: FLORIDA RARE BIRD REPORT
to report e-mail: BrianAhern@aol.com
compiler: Brian Ahern
transcriber: Same
This is Brian Ahern reporting the Florida Rare Bird Alert for 01/02/04. Reports are followed by coordinates from the DeLorme Florida Atlas & Gazetteer and the page number of Bill Pranty's ABA guide "A Birder's Guide to Florida" when possible.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
On the 30th, an adult male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD was banded by Fred Bassett in Pensacola. It is at the Bowman home at 7980 Boyd Avenue, Pensacola at (850) 494-2346. Permission has been granted by the homeowner to post this for birders. 7980 Boyd Avenue
From the east: From I-10 take the first exit north after crossing Escambia Bay. Drive north to Olive Road and turn west on Olive. After passing the intersection with 9th avenue, you will turn left on Boyd Avenue. According to my outdated Pensacola map, that would be the second left. Yo u are looking for the home of Glenda Bowman. From the west: Exit I-10 on Davis Highway and go north to Olive Road. Turn right (east). Turn south on Boyd Avenue. If you get to the intersection of 9th Avenue and Olive, turn around and go back (fide L. & B. Duncan). DeLorme p. 42
A BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK has been coming to a feeder in north Pensacola since 20 Dec. The bird is frequenting the feeder of Brenda Francisco, 8867 Shoal Creek Ct., Pensacola, FL 32514 She works full time, but is willing to have visiting birders try for the bird. You may come along the fenceline, or enter her backyard and sit quietly on the patio 'though it will take the birds a long time to get used to your presence and come back to feed, she said. DIRECTIONS: In Pensacola go north on Davis Highway past University Mall and just north of West Florida Hospital. Turn left into the Shoal Creek subdivision and take the first left which is a cul-de-sac. Her home is the middle unit of the three-unit condo that is at the very middle end of the cul-de sac. The unit on the right (as you face the home) is vacant and you can go in that back yard. The backyard is tiny and backed with a small wooded patch behind where the bird hangs out. The homeowner has cats that are friendly and apparently don't bother the birds. If you do go to try and see the Grosbeak, please be sure to close any gates and be respectful of neighbors. (fide L. & B. Duncan). DeLorme p. 42
A PACIFIC LOON was found near the west end of the Lillian Bridge (US 98) on the 28th (L. & B. Duncan). DeLorme p. 42
The LARK SPARROW and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS are still present at Ft. Pickens (L. & B. Duncan). DeLorme p. 42; Pranty p. 76
WAKULLA COUNTY
Last Saturday six SNOW GEESE were found on the trail behind Mounds pool 2 at St. Marks NWR (T. Bull). DeLorme p. 50
ALACHUA COUNTY
The 1st year female BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD continues to visit a feeder in Gainesville. If accepted this will be a first record for Florida. The homeowner asks not to be disturbed. The feeder is hanging from the eavesat on the front of the house and is in clear view of the street. Please remain near the street and do not approach the house. Do not block driveways. Directions: Exit I 75 at SR-26 (Newberry Road) and go east. You will pass the Oaks Mall on your right. Not long after you've passed the mall, turn left onto NW60th Street (traffic light). Take your first right, which is NW13th Place, and then turn right again on NW 58nd Terrace and stop at the second house on your right. Again, please respect the homeowner's wishes and stay near the street. Also an adult female CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD visiting the same feeder was banded and marked with a pink dot on the forehead. It too has been seen on a daily basis (fide R. Rowan). DeLorme p. 65
PUTNAM COUNTY
On the 30th an adult male WILSON’S WARBLER was found at Ravine State Park near
Palatka. Take the driving loop, which begins at the right rear of the parking area. Go about 100 yards or so until you see the very first set of stairs on the left. Go down the stairs and turn left. Go about 25 yards and look down. At the bottom of the ravine is a small stream that is almost totally obscured by thickets. The bird was found in these thickets near the stream. DeLorme p. 67
BREVARD COUNTY
On Tuesday 30th, five SNOW GEESE were found at the Viera Wetlands. The birds were in
the sod fields just north of the wetlands (H. Betchel). DeLorme p. 88
On the 28th five SNOW GEESE and one ROSS’S GOOSE were seen on west side of the St. John's River about a mile south of SR46 (D. Simpson). DeLorme p. 81
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
At least three RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS are visiting Steve Backes’ yard. Anyone interested in these birds is welcome to park out front and walk to the backyard. His address is 1512 Meadowridge Drive in Valrico (east of Brandon - Brandon is east of Tampa on SR-60). Meadowridge can be reached from Lithia-Pinecrest Road or Valrico Rd south of SR-60. To reach my house from Valrico Rd: Go south on Valrico Rd from SR-60 to Durant (through one light to the first stop sign). Right on Durant to Meadowridge Drive (second left). To 1512 on the right. DeLorme p. 91/92
SARASOTA COUNTY
On the 31st & 1st. two SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS were found on Sidell Road, (Sugar Bowl Road in Manatee) just north of FL72, (before the Manatee County line). They were perching on the power lines. One was within 100 yards of FL72 (D. Hayward). DeLorme p. 97
HENDRY COUNTY
On the 1st three SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS were seen South of Clewiston along C.R. 835 (V. Lucas). DeLorme p. 107
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
The adult male VERMILION FLYCATCHER continues to be seen on the South Dade Greenway Trail just outside Everglades NP (V. Lucas & all). DeLorme p. 122
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Up to four LESSER NIGHTHAWKS have been seen around dusk at Eco Pond (V. Lucas, R. Smith & all). DeLorme p. 123; Pranty p. 234
Good Birding!
Documentation of rarities for FL Ornithological Society Records
Committee should be sent to:
FOSRC, c/o Archbold Biological Station, PO Box 2057,
Lake Placid FL 33862.
Website: http://www.fosbirds.org/
Florida Rare Bird Alert Mail-list: To subscribe go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FLRBA
Florida Birding website: http://www.javaswift.com/floridabirds/
FLORIDABIRDS-L website: http://bkpass.tripod.com/floridabirds.htm
For more information on Florida bird sightings, locations, and
discussion please visit the following archives:
Statewide sightings/discussion listserv:
BIRDBRAINS: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html
FLABIRDING: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/
FLORIDABIRDS-L: http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/floridabirds-l.html
Regional sightings/discussion listservs:
North Florida: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/
East Florida: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eastbirders/
Southwest Florida: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/
Southeast Florida: http://tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/index.html
Brian Ahern
Tampa, FL.
BrianAhern@aol.com