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Posted by John Boyd on 18:59:45 06/12/04
For the second week in a row I found myself headed down to Marathon to help someone named Susan see Roseate Terns. Last week it was Susan Schneider, this week Susan Epps, who is back after a long sojourn in Louisiana.
We arrived at the government center around 1pm. Both Roseate and Least Terns were visible from the parking lot, but we got much better looks by following Stefan's suggestion to go out to the water. Approximately a dozen Roseate Terns were present, most with more red on the bill than last week (there were still a couple with mostly black bills). This week, I did not find any definitive Forster's (last week, two were obvious by their heavier build & bill, orange bill, and calls), but there was one bird I could have had a better look at.
We had noticed some Monk Parakeet nests on Plantation Key on the way down. Anyone who knows Susan Epps will not be surprised to hear she insisted we take a look. The first two, on a communications tower, didn't yield any parrots, although there was a Peacock that was harassed by Grackles. The second set of nests were at the Plantation Key School (MM 90). Not only did we see the Monks, but we got a big bonus when both Nighthawks (6 Antillean and 1-2 Common) started flying around calling in broad daylight (around 4pm). This is by far the best look I've ever had at Antillean, with some birds flying by at or below eye level within 15-20 feet.
Nighthawks were also present next to a Arby's near MM 101. These did not call, but flight style suggested 2 of them were Antillean.
We briefly checked out the Cave Swallows on the way home. A bit farther north, Susan spotted two Blue-crowned Parakeets flying over the Turnpike.
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