Posted by Brian Ahern on January 16, 2004 at 14:44:55:
RBA
* Florida
* Statewide
* Date January 16, 2004
* FLFL0401.16
-Birds mentioned:
Red-throated Loon
PACIFIC LOON
EARED GREBE
BRANT
Snow Goose
American Goldeneye
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK
Greater Scaup
Black Scoter
White-tailed Kite
SWAINSON’S HAWK
Short-tailed Hawk
Long-billed Curlew
PURPLE SANDPIPER
SHORT-EARED OWL
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD**
Black-chinned Hummingbird
LESSER NIGHTHAWK
Least Flycatcher
VERMILION FLYCATCHER
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER
“Mexican” CAVE SWALLOW (probable)
Wilson’s Warbler
Lark Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
WESTERN TANAGER
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK
PURPLE FINCH
“Slate-colored” Junco
**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 01/16/04. 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
The adult male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD that was banded by Fred Bassett in Pensacola continues to be seen. 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 According to my outdated Pensacola map, that would be the second left. You 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). Also a female BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD is visiting the same yard (J. Rink). 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 fence line, 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
The PACIFIC LOON continues to be found at Ft. Pickens, along the wall area both east and west of the fishing pier (B. Wallace & all). Also the LARK SPARROW is still being seen inside the fort at Ft. Pickens. DeLorme p. 42; Pranty p.47
OKALOOSA COUNTY
On the 14th the two EARED GREBES were seen again at the City Holding Ponds at Ft. Walton Beach (A. Knothe & all). Also near the County Holding Ponds a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen along Timberlake Road. DeLorme p. 44; Pranty p.52
GADSEN COUNTY
Up to five 'SLATE COLORED" JUNCOS have been seen at the I-10 rest area just east of the Apalachicola River - Earl W. Scarborough Park (B. Wallace & all). DeLorme p.32
FRANKLIN COUNTY
On the 8th & 9th, up to five RED-THROATED LOONS & up to eight BLACK SCOTERS were seen from the KOA at Alligator Point (D. Simpson). Also seen on the 9th at the KOA Campground was a juvenile SNOW GOOSE in the afternoon (S.P. McCool). Delorme p. 61; Pranty p.74
WAKULLA COUNTY
On the 11th at St. Marks NWR, 8 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS were found at Mounds Pool 3 and 10 GREATER SCAUP in the Lighthouse Pond. To look for the Black ducks stop at the "T Dike" (Gate #131), walk down it and go right at the T, then scan the Mallard flock from the "Sensitive Area No Public Access" sign. The other access at Gate #132 is closed due to eagle nesting. Also seen were several AMERICAN GOLDENEYE offshore from the lighthouse (J. Hintermister). Both the Black Ducks & a Goldeneye were still present later on in the week (S.P. McCool). DeLorme p. 50; Pranty p.76
A SHORT-EARED OWL was found on the 10th at dusk at Bottoms Road and 2 on the 11th at dawn. To reach Bottoms Road go west on US 98 from St. Marks towards Panacea. Just before Panacea turn left onto Bottoms Road and proceed to an intersecting dirt road. Park here and scan the area at dawn and dusk (J. Hintermister). It was still present during dusk later in the week (S.P. McCool). DeLorme p. 50; Pranty p.76
LEON COUNTY
On the 10th a WESTERN TANAGER was found in Fran C. Rutkovsky yard. You may call (422-3636) or e-mail (prutkov@garnet.acns.fsu.edu) her to inquire if it is still here. Seen the next day in her yard was a female PURPLE FINCH.
On the 13th a female AMERICAN GOLDENEYE was found at the pond just north of the new Creative Child Day School in Southwood (R. Lengacher). DeLorme p. 50
NASSAU COUNTY
On the 8th 30 BLACK SCOTERS were seen from the pier at Ft. Clinch State Park (J. Rink). On the 14th, at least five PURPLE SANDPIPERS were seen on the Jetty next to the pier (J. Rink). DeLorme p. 41; Pranty p.100
BREVARD COUNTY
The three BRANTS were refound at Pelican Island over the weekend. They have been seen hanging out in a location to the right (west) and readily visible from the observation tower. To get to the tower: In Brevard County, on the Atlantic coast (highway A1A), just south of Sebastian Inlet State Park is a turnoff called Jungle Trail. Follow signs to the Pelican Island Preserve and the tower, which overlooks the Island. When looking at the right side of the Island (west), look between the shore and a mushroom shaped Mangrove (L. Miller & all). The Brants have been reported on a daily basis this past week. DeLorme p. 88
PINELLAS COUNTY
On the 9th a SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW was see again in the company of four Nelson's in the Spartina marsh on Caladesi Island (E. Kwater). DeLorme p. 90
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
On the 11th a WILSON’S WARBLER was spotted at Lettuce Lake Park. It was seen at the B-608 junction of the boardwalk (E. Variz). DeLorme p. 83; Pranty p.132
LEE COUNTY
On the 10th a LONG-BILLED CURLEW was seen from Bunch Beach in Ft. Myers (A. Murray). DeLorme p. 110; Pranty p.191
On the 12th three female BLACK SCOTERS were found about 300 feet from shore just south of the Holiday Inn on Ft. Myers Beach (D. Thurston). DeLorme p. 110; Pranty p.191
BROWARD COUNTY
One LESSER NIGHTHAWK continues to be seen just after sunset at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge outside of Boynton Beach. It was spotted just after 6PM over the marsh surrounded by the "Marsh Trail". After entering the refuge on Lee Road off of 441, continue past the visitors center sign to the Marsh Trail and turn left to go the that parking area. Walk west on the marsh trail, past the trees near the center of this side of the walk. The bird usually appears over the C-7 marsh (to your left if you are walking west) just after sunset. Look for the fluttering twisting turning flight. It is visible for just a few minutes and then disappears. There is a $5 fee to enter the refuge unless you have the appropriate pass or a current Duck Stamp. The refuge gate is currently closing at 6:30 PM (K. Walters). DeLorme p. 115
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
On the11th a light morph SWAINSON’S HAWK was seen at the Annex, down the road from Lucky Hammock. At the Hammock the LEAST FLYCATCHER is still wintering (J. Boyd). On the 16th a dark morph SWAINSON’S HAWK was seen sitting in the plowed field east of Lucky Hammock (L. Manfredi). DeLorme p. 122
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
The VERMILION FLYCATCHER continues to be seen along the south side of the Miami-Dade Greenway about a mile from the entrance to Everglades NP (P. Bithorn & all). In the same area on the 11th a probable “Mexican” CAVE SWALLOW was seen. On the 10th a dark morph SWAINSON’S HAWK & two SHORT-TAILED HAWKS were seen along Research Center Road. On the same evening eight a LESSER NIGHTHAWKS were seen over Eco Pond (P. Bithorn & all). On the 13th at Flamingo Trail a white morph SHORT-TAILED HAWK was seen and on the far end of Research Road a WHITE-TAILED KITE was present (D. Thurston). DeLorme p. 122/121; Pranty p. 234
MONROE COUNTY
On the 12th a calling BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER was found on Carysfort Circle N off CR 905 in North Key Largo. The bird was seen and heard (a loud whit! call) on both sides of the first residence on the north side of the street. This residence has several Cadillacs in the front yard. The bird was hanging out with a Great-crested Flycatcher allowing for a convenient comparison. Please be respectful and discreet as this is a private residence (B. Mulrooney). DeLorme p. 123
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
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