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Posted by John Boyd on 05:14:58 01/11/11
We had a big crowd for Saturday's TAS trip to Everglades National Park. About 35 birders showed up at the Coe Visitors center. We were surprised to find the regular bathrooms closed, and temporary bathrooms set up in the parking lot. Several birds were present, including our first warblers of the day (Myrtle).
Our first stop was at Lucky Hammock to look for the Brown-crested Flycatcher. We had little difficulty in finding it. It was rather vocal at one point (not just 'whits'). Another Myiarchus flycatcher was also present, probably a Great Crested. We also added to our warbler list, with Redstart, Orange-crowned, N. Parula, Magnolia, and of course Palm. Surprisingly, one of the Palm Warblers was a Yellow Palm Warbler. We also found White-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos and Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows.
Anhinga Trail was next. Highlights as we walked the trail included 6 (!) American Bitterns, a Swamp Sparrow, light morph Short-tailed Hawk and a number of Purple Gallinules. As we approached the visitor's center, someone noticed a warbler in a small tree next to the path. It was a Black-throated Green, close enough that we almost had to back up to see it. Good views were had by all.
A trip to the pinelands along Research Road added Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, and some of the other pineland species, but no bluebirds.
By now it was almost noon, and we ate our lunch at Long Pine Key.
Mahogany Hammock had a small group of warblers, with Black-and-white being new for the day.
Paurotis Pond yielded the expected Roseate Spoonbills, then we were off to West Lake in search of ducks. Although numbers were down from earlier in the season, we found Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Northern Pintail. A few birds were found along the boardwalk, including Prairie Warbler.
A short stop at Mrazek Pond added Green-winged Teal and our first White Pelican of the day.
A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was found working the edge of the grass near the visitor's center at Flamingo. The tide was in and there was not only not a sandbar visible, but no birds were sitting where it was. Rather, those that were present were farther out. Caspian Tern and Lesser Black-backed Gull were the most notable, but soon moved away. We were unsuccessful at finding either the chat or Field Sparrow at Eco Pond, but some of the group saw a Yellow Warbler. We also noticed a Bald Eagle flying by.
Our last stop was the shoreline near the amphitheater, where we found Willets, Marbled Godwits, and (presumed) Short-billed Dowitchers. Those that remained with us to the end got to see a manatee poking its nose up offshore.
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