Posted by John Boyd on January 11, 2004 at 21:00:38:
After assembling at the Burger King, we headed toward Lucky Hammock. A quick drive by Flynn's produced a Brown-headed Cowbird and Western Kingbird. Unfortunately, the Kingbird flew off to the SE before the rest of the group had a chance to see it.
We worked very hard to find birds at Lucky Hammock (Frog Pond WMA), but had very little success, probably due to the wind. Finally we tracked down some American Pipits in the adjacent fields, but good views remained elusive. Things picked up when we headed down the street to the Annex (Southern Glades WEA). A lovely adult light morph Swainson's Hawk flew over. Walking down the road a bit we found an Orange-crowned Warbler. Then Robin Diaz was able to refind the Least Flycatcher she had seen recently.
Our next stop was the South Dade Greenway for the Vermilion Flycatcher. It took a few minutes to find, but it continues to please the crowds. While we were there, an apparent Tex-Mex (pelodoma) Cave Swallow flew over.
For those who are unfamiliar with Cave Swallow races, the flank, throat, and rump colors are paler (usually much paler) on the pelodoma than on our own West Indian (fulva) Cave Swallows. The flanks of pelodoma often look pretty clean (as on this bird) while fulva usually shows strong cinnamon markings on the flanks. The cap/burgler mask is also more distinct on pelodoma because it contasts strongly with the throat and headlamp. The term apparent is used because there is some interbreeding between the Tex-Mex and West Indian populations.
After a stop for Burrowing Owl at the Homestead Airport, we paid a visit to Castellow Hammock. Roger Hammer informed us that we had just missed the Painted Buntings and Selasphorus hummer. We stood around for a while hoping they would return, and then ate lunch at the picnic tables. The desired birds were still not in evidence so we took a walk in the hammock. The only new bird was Parula, but we also found Malachite butterfly. We were about to leave when some hummers put in an appearance. There were 2-3 Ruby-throats, including 2 males, and the selasphorus was heard. An accipiter provoked some debate as to whether it was a big Sharpie or small Coop. Never did see the buntings.
Our last stop was Dump Marsh. White Pelicans, Mottled Ducks, Blue-winged Teal and 5 gull species (Great & Lesser Black-backed, Herring, Ring-billed, and Laughing). It was much too windy to find the Blue Grosbeaks that have recently been present. We finished with 62 species.