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Posted by Anil Antony on 20:34:18 08/06/11
Alison and I birded the Belle Glade area today. We started with a quick stop at STA 1W at sunrise. We had several flyover flocks of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, totaling about 40 individuals. There also was one Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck and several Caspian Terns. However, there wasn't much in the way of shorebirds.
The fields east of the north end of Sam Senter Road produced more variety. We had Black, Gull-billed, and Least Terns in one frame, one Spotted Sandpiper, and several Least Sandpipers. We also again had both species of Whistling Duck. The flooded field at Browns Farm Road had many dowitchers and yellowlegs. We picked up more Black and Gull-billed Terns there, as well.
Our best stop was at the flooded fields 1.5 miles east of Duda Road. There were many Stilt Sandpipers mixed in with dowitchers and Black-necked Stilts. We also counted 11 Wilson's Phalaropes (!!) and 12 American Avocets. The Roseate Spoonbills were out in force, as well, as they were at the Browns Farm Road stop. We started to see Common Nighthawks on the wires shortly after the Duda Road intersection. In all, we counted close to 50 of them for the day.
The surprise of our day was Star Ranch on US 27, which we accidentally happened upon after overshooting the King Ranch Sod fields. Much like the flooded field east of Duda Road, there were large numbers of shorebirds, including Stilt and Pectoral Sandpipers. We again had the Least, Black, and Gull-billed Tern trio.
It was after noon by the time we made it to the King Ranch Sod fields off of US 27 by the radio tower. In addition to 2 Pectoral Sandpipers, we spotted 4 Upland Sandpipers in a distant field. Unfortunately, the heat shimmer impaired our view, so no pictures. A quick stop at the Organic fields just north of the King Ranch Sod fields yielded 7 more Fulvous Whistling-Ducks. A passing truck spooked huge flocks of yellowlegs, along with many Black-Necked Stilts and several Pectoral Sandpipers, all of which were hiding in the tall grass.
On the way out, we stopped at Gladeview Road, which yielded similar results as Browns Farm Road, albeit with fewer shorebird numbers. Again, there were Black, Gull-billed, and Least Terns sitting in one binocular field.
After checking the Bird Board, I stopped at Matheson Hammock, where I dipped on the Thick-billed Vireo at 6PM. That disappointment aside, it was a great day. Much thanks to Brian and Paul for giving us detailed directions to many of the birding locations.
Anil
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