Posted by Alex on April 10, 2004 at 18:09:30:
Migration is kicking up alright. I did some birding in Matheson with a Boston birding named Dexter (who attended the Cape Florida TAS trip this morning) for two hours, and some birding in the neighborhood.
In my Miami Shores home with my dad, the yard had it's fair share of chips, and churps. However, only a few Prairies, 2 American Redstarts, Palms, 2 Northern Parulas (including one male with very bright yellow bill and no eye-ring), and a Black-and-white. An Indigo Bunting was a good yard bird. I was surprised to see Miami Shores' first Black-hooded Parakeets fly over. Maybe they belong to the North Miami roost.
Barry University had a Black-whiskered Vireo (gave great 5-10 foot looks and great photos), Prairie Warblers, and 3 Burrowing Owls. One owl gave great photos, too. Killdeer and Loggerhead Shrikes were omnipresent.
My other home in Biscayne Park had much better birds:
Prairie Warblers- 17+ this morning
3 American Redstarts
1 Black-throated Blue
4 few Palms left
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Belted Kingfisher
7 Orange-winged Parrots
2 Mitred Parakeets
Both Yellow-chevroned and White-winged Parakeets were in good number
A Common Peafowl called from an oak in a neighbors yard.
5 Chimney Swifts have returned
Matheson had a few good birds, including three YB Cuckoos, 2 male Black-throated Greens (good photos!),
1 Northern Parula, 2 Black-and-whites, 1 Black-throated Blue, a few American Redstarts, 5 Gray Catbirds, and no Brown-crested Flycatcher.