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Posted by Carlos Sanchez on 18:54:51 03/06/11
Birders joined me from all over the United States and even Italy on
the first TAS Walk to the C-357 Sparrow Fields (i.e. Rocky Glades
Small Game Hunting Area). The day started off with a Red-tailed Hawk
perched on a far snag, followed by a couple of Common Ground-Doves
flushed from the weedy grasses growing along the dirt path to the
berm. We quickly observed Grasshopper, Savannah, Lincoln's Sparrow,
and Clay-colored Sparrow from the area on the berm where they have
been seen all winter. A female Blue Grosbeak was also observed in this
area, which was a pleasant surprise. Several Dickcissel perched in the
distance offered distant views, but all those that stayed were later
rewarded with excellent looks from the path leading to the weedy
mounds. A Merlin, flying with a purpose, was later found to be feeding
on some kind of rodent (mouse?). A brief search for buntings, both
Indigo and Painted, was fruitless.
Next, the group headed off to the Chekika Unit of Everglades National
Park. The biggest highlight was a Northern Waterthrush seen feeding
along the edge of the waterhole. Other additional species seen here
and not at the C-357 Sparrow Fields include Red-shouldered Hawk, Gray
Catbird, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Carlos
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