Posted by Larry Manfredi on January 17, 2002 at 23:23:29:
I had a first winter Franklin's Gull at Dump Marsh today around 4 p.m.
Also present was an Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull as well as a first
winter bird. Hundreds of Ring-billed, Laughing and a few Herring Gulls
were present. These were seen in the first pond. As I was watching the
Franklin's, a Peregrine soared over the flock of gulls and stirred
things up. It made a pass over the birds and then gained altitude and
was ready to go into a stoop. Another Peregrine started calling from
the direction of the Landfill, it flew directly towards the other
Peregrine. The two birds meet each other and locked talons and tumbled
towards the marsh. They released their grip still high above the marsh
and then flew at each other a few more times. Both birds then flew back
in the direction of the landfill. A few minutes later an Adult Bald
Eagle came flying in. It made two slow grabs at a Ring-billed Gull
floating on the water. Each grab that it made the gull would try to
submerge, this technique was successful for the gull. The Eagle then
flew to the south pond and made a slow pass over the birds there. It
then made another slow pass and scooped up a first winter Ring-billed
Gull with the greatest of ease. It landed on the shore and then waited
to dine on it's prey. It was kind of gruesome to watch so I looked
elsewhere.
The water level in the pond behind the large water tank has dried up
quite a bit. It still has Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers, it is
getting better for shorebirds. Both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs,
Least Sandpiper, American Avocet as well as Long-billed Dowitcher were
present. I had another 7 species of duck including a Muscovy Duck.
The Muscovy Duck came flying in and landed like a cannon ball. The
splash that it made scared the heck out of the other birds.
Directions: DeLorme Atlas page 119 D-1
Coming from the north, take exit 9B from the Turnpike. Go north on s.w.
112 ave. to the first light. This is s.w. 248 st., take the left split
in the road and go east about 2 miles to the southeast side of the
landfill. Park on the left side before the hill in the road, walk
across the street and look for the opening in the gate. The sign here
says: Caution, please dismount before entering. Walk about a quarter
mile west on the south side of the canal and look for the marsh on your
left. The first pond is here, you can walk the dirt road south for the
other pond. Look behind the large water tank just to the west of the
first pond for the third pond.
Larry Manfredi
Homestead, Fl.
E-mail: birderlm@bellsouth.net
http://www.southfloridabirding.com