Posted by Paul Bithorn on April 04, 2004 at 22:08:42:
Twenty-nine birders with "Spring Migration Fever" turned out for the Tropical Audubon Society fieldtrip at Matheson Hammock on Saturday, April 3, 2004 led by TAS President, Joe Barros.The "Chamber of Commerce" weather made the birding that much more pleasurable.
While assembling in the parking lot, we saw six Blue and Yellow Macaws and Yellow-chevroned Parakeets.Our next bird, which also hails from Central America, as well as the Southwest U.S., was a rare Brown-crested Flycatcher, a species that was reported from Matheson on this year's Dade County CBC.It was seen in the Live Oaks between the main road into the park and the public bathrooms. The bird did not call but was photographed by John Boyd for documentation.
Another flyby by the macaws included a Military Macaw.
Pied-billed Grebe was in the pond and several White-crowned Pigeons were seen in flight.Hill Mynas were seen throughout the walk on both sides of the road.
Both color phases of Short-tailed Hawk were seen from the dirt road on the west side of Old Cutler Rd., which is a little late for this species.Two Swallow-tailed Kites took our breath away.Carolina Wren and Ruby-throated Humminbird were seen on the nature trail in the area of the native planting.
Eight species of warbler were seen including Palm, Prairie, Yellow-throated, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird,Northern Parula, Black-throated Green
and a late Yellow-rump.A mottled male Indigo Bunting bathed in a puddle.
A four-foot Yellow Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta)and a Phaon Crescent were also nice finds.
Forty-five species (by my count) were seen. Life is good...................birding this lush West Indian hardwood hammock.