Posted by Alex on February 10, 2004 at 22:12:07:
Over the last 2 weeks or so, I have found many good birds and new local birding sites in the vicinity of my new home in Biscayne Park, just north of Miami Shores.
Many species are starting to sing- Northern Cardinal, many doves, Northern Mockingbirds, European Starlinds, etc.
Many Warblers have been found; a Common Yellowthroat is wintering in the yard of my neighbor, aswell as 2 American Redstart, 2 Prairie Warblers, many Palm Warblers, 1 or 2 Black and Whites, and a few Northerm Parulas are passing though. 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers were found in North Miami, and one was calling on my school campus.
Every morning at my new home in Biscayne Park, thousands of Fish Crows pass over at around 6:35 in the morning. A few dozen Ring-billed Gulls, 1 or 2 Herring Gulls, an Osprey and many psittacids fly over from their roosts nearby. As many as 18 Chesnut-fronted Macaws can be seen flying to the Steve Siegel Roost before dusk. A WW and YC Parakeet couple is making a nest in a Canary Date Palm across the street. It will be interesting to see the offspring they create.
Many aratinga species are seen daily, mostly Blue-crowned and Red-masked. White-eyed and Mitred have to be in the flocks somewhere. Common Mynas are increasing in the Little Haiti area and four Hill Mynas are residing in Miami Shores. Broad-winged Hawks and Short-tailed Hawks are around.
-I have been keeping a "monocular" in my backpack for after-school birding. This small plastic 5x16 tool optic is good for birding on the go, portable, and easily replaceable compared to my bins if they are stolen. They are about 5-8 dollars. Not that great, but conveniant.
For some odd reason, I have seen about 3 or 4 Brown Pelicans in different locations inland in Miami. I have also seen three Magnificant Frigatebirds soaring around near I-95.