Posted by Paul Bithorn on March 28, 2004 at 21:22:09:
The Black-faced Grassquit at Jupiter Ridge Natural Area was a no show from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., when I left for home. Hopefully, others had better luck after I left.
Imagine for a moment, the look of dissappointment on the faces of my fellow birders when they saw me pull up. Despite having an albatross (me) around their necks, they pressed on undeterred, in the hopes of a repeat performance of yesterday's SPECTACULAR views provided by my Bahamian nemesis. Marvin Greenberg shared his excellent videotape of the bird documenting the sighting as the bird foraged for grass seeds and merrily sang its buzzy song. It hopped up once to grab a seed, a habit shared by members of the grassquit family. Brian Hope also had some great shots of the bird.
John Honneycutt from Iowa, whom I had met in search of the same species in September 2003 on Long Pine Key, the Rufes of Pennsylvania-I had met Bill at the Eurasian Kestrel in Zellwood and Don Chalfant from Ann Arbor, Michigan/New Smyrna Beach were amongst the many birders that shared in my quest. It was good to see my dear friends Jo Key, from WPB and Marianne Thomas from Martha's Vineyard/Pompano Beach.
This beautiful xeric scrub habitat provided looks at two threatened species - a Gopher Tortoise and a four foot Indigo Snake. The Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) was in full flower, glowing golden yellow amidst the arid scrub.
An American Kestrel, Coopers Hawks, Gray Catbird, male Painted Bunting, , and breeding Eastern Towhees were seen in the immediate area.
Life is good...................................and may your persistence in finding this rascal pay off in spades!
Paul "Bruised but not Beaten" Bithorn