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Posted by Steve Pagliughi on 01:56:24 06/17/04
Hi, I need some help coming up with a plan of attack. I almost always visit Florida around xmas, I have everything I can reasonably get in FL during winter months. My problem is I dont have certain breeders. This is compounded by the fact I come to visit family, and I just cant get myself to be selfish enough to spend most of my time birding while visiting my family, although they would understand. So finally I am visiting during breeding season, but its still a family visit thing. So, I told my father the way we would spend time together is to go on a road trip to the keys (he he), course he doesnt know why.
Heres the major problem I have. My father is a non-birder, has little patience, and a slight stroke has left him with mobility problems, i.e., I cant see him following me around some park looking for a mangrove cuckoo. I have Pranty, and I monitor all websites, so I know where to find what I am looking for. The thing I cant get from my sources of info is close proximity to roads, and ease of walking to sites. So this is why I am posting this message, local knowledge is key in my quest.
I am asking for information on birding locations that are as close as possible to roads, and require little walking. I know thats alot to ask, if it was that simple, it wouldnt be any fun, but I know some of you out there will have ideas and suggestions.
I will be driving from Stuart all the way to Key West, and then from there going to Tampa. I have enough time in the keys that I should be able to get all target species. Here are my primary targets: gray kingbird, mangrove cuckoo, black whiskered vireo, wilsons plover, and antillean nighthawk. And of course any other specialties that are present (like hill Myna). I am aware of the bahama mockingbird, but thats about it for rarities. So any info on additional species is welcome and appreciated.
Please feel free to send suggestions via e-mail, as I dont want to dominate the rap on this site. I will be visiting from July 9 through July 19 so there is plenty of time for suggestions. Thanks in advance.
Steve Pagliughi
Carmichael, CA
spagliughi@yahoo.com
PS: Hello Mr. Bithorn. Wish I had time to bird with you on this trip, I always enjoy the adventure. Enjoyed the story of your fishing trip. I almost always plan pelagic fishing trips to coincide with migration to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Just got my lifer bullers shearwater on an albacore fishing trip out of Santa Cruz, but still need black vented, short tailed and flesh footed (and last week I got my lifer black backed woody just west of Tahoe, found a pair of breeders). Maybe Ill get them on my next fishing trip out of Monterey. Drop me a line if you get a chance. And, I still tell the story of my adventure in the third world section of your quaint little town, and the Cuban deli you always go to first thing in the am, ha ha ha.
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