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Posted by Brian Rapoza on 16:54:16 01/23/11
At least one, and possibly two Rufous Hummingbirds are present at Castellow Hammock Park in SW Miami-Dade. A female Rufous was very conspicuous today around the orchid tree on the south side of the picnic shelter. It would often perch on the bare branches of trees across the road from the orchid tree; a satinleaf appeared to provide its favorite perch. Another Selasphorus, this one with considerable rufous, most notably on the tail, was seen for all of 1-2 seconds as it hovered above the ring of firebush trees on the west side of the picnic shelter. I could not relocate this bird. I also had the darndest time finding a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, but eventually found one in the ring of firebush. I couldn't find any in the butterfly garden. At least one Painted Bunting was coming to the feeder during the one time I looked.
I started my morning at the C357 sparrow fields, where I was greeted at the entrance by a small flock of Indigo Buntings. At an area along the berm near where construction equipment is parked, I found a Clay-colored Sparrow among a group of Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows. For the first time in my five visits to the sparrow fields since the beginning of December, I could not locate a White-tailed Kite. By the way, I have learned that these fields are part of what SFWMD and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission calls "Rocky Glades Public Small Game Hunting Area." A link to a brochure is below.
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