Posted by Alex on February 23, 2004 at 15:14:18:
In Reply to: some good ol Miami Shores birding posted by Alex on February 22, 2004 at 08:54:24:
Yesterday, I payed a mid-day visit to Arch Creek Park in North Miami. It started out slow, but I eventually pished a few birds out of the bushes. Common Yellowthroats were surprisingly abundant. Prairie Warbler, Northern Parula, and two Ovenbirds popped up. Gray Catbirds and a White-eyed Vireo fed on some berries. A few minutes later I stumbled upon a HUGE flock of mixed warblers. Northern Parulas once again dominated the population, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers showed to be in health. I was surprised to see not one Palm, Black-and-white or American Redstart. A lone Yellow-rumped Warbler chipped among the parulas. I also found another interesting warbler.
It was a gray on the chest, and pumped it's tail readily. It was neither Palm or Prairie. Any ideas? Anybody?
-Later on in the day, Colin from the west coast of Florida, after having success with the Gumbo Limbo's finest attraction, came to try his luck with White-winged Parakeet. We hit money with not only the 30+ flock at the Miami Shores spot, but a nest outside my other home in nearby Biscayne Park. Colin got great pictures. Also seen with him was a flock of 4 Hill Myna, Yellow-chevroned Parakeets, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and a female American Redstart.
Today I took a short walk afterschool to do some warbler-watching. I came up with a female Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-throated, Palm, Northern Parula, and a few Black-and-whites.
Another thing people should be watching for are migrating flocks of Great Blue Herons. I saw 2 flocks yesterday: a flock of 5, and later a flock of 6 towards dusk.