Posted by Vincent Lucas on January 14, 2002 at 21:43:12:
Greetings:
Today, after the Caloosa Bird Club's field trip to Turner River Road (69 species tallied) in which the best birds seen were before the "official" trip started (King Rail hen with about 15 young crossing busy US Rte. 41/Tamiami Trail near S.R. 29), afterward, several of us went to the Government Rd. site in Hendry County where I refound the Vermilion Flycatcher several weeks ago. True to form, the Vermilion Flycatcher was in his usual perch near the giant pile of barbed wire some 14 miles north of the Miccosukee Service Plaza. There were no Scissor-tailed Flycatchers or Western Kingbirds in sight however. No Short-tailed Hawk either.
Just prior to stopping for the Vermilion, we stopped at the cattle coral 3.5 miles north of the Miccosukee Service Plaza in Broward County where there is normally a Crested Caracara somewhere in the vicinity. No caracara today. However, there were two beautiful White-tailed Kites sitting on fenceposts just to the south and east of the coral. We had long, uninterrupted views of these birds. Perhaps they will breed in this area? At least this is another Broward County location for this species other than Pembroke Pines. . . .
If you want a full breakdown of the species seen on the Turner River fieldtrip, e-mail me.
Good birding!
Vincent Lucas
Naples