Posted by Bryant Roberts on January 23, 2002 at 22:28:49:
I spent some time at the west end of Rowdy Bend Road this
morning, the most interesting birds were a Least Flycatcher, a
couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and a Painted Bunting.
These birds were seen before the gate and on the spur that leads
to the dump area. Many birds have begun singing here, a couple of
White-eyed Vireos sang constantly from both sides of the road and
even one of the Grey Catbirds sang in the thicket. Prairie
Warblers, Northern Cardinals, and a Black-and-White Warbler were
singing along the main park road during my bike ride back to
Flamingo. The birding hasn't changed much around Flamingo
since late December, Mrazek Pond is getting a few cormorants
and waders but no real action. King, Clapper, and Sora Rails can
be found at Eco Pond early in the morning and Virginia Rail has
also been reported there. After sunrise the Purple Gallinules have
been putting on a good show and Roseate Spoonbills pass
overhead between their nesting and feeding areas. The Lesser
Nighthawks are still flying over C-Loop after sunset. The Greater
Flamingo reports continue to be sporadic, the best bet for them is
at Snake Bight, either by boat or trail.
I finally got up to "Lucky Hammock" this Monday and added the
Bell's Vireo to my life list. Also seen were Wilson's Warbler, a
couple of Black-throated Green Warblers as well as an adult male
Northern Harrier, a Least Flycatcher was also calling east of the
main road. The birders I encountered there were less impressive,
their birding technique was to stand near their SUV's and play a
Screech Owl tape. On hearing that my target bird was the Bell's
Vireo one offered to play his Bell's Vireo tape. I got away from
them quickly and sought out birds my way, by walking quietly and
watching and listening intently. The reward was observing the
Bell's Vireo at close range as it searched for insects among the
newly leafed willows barely aware of my presence. Later, while
exploring a path into the hammock on the west side of the road I
heard another birder drive up. The engine stopped, the door
opened, the Screech Owl tape played, I didn't know whether to
laugh or cry. I'm not totally against using tapes and often use
them myself, especially on bird counts when trying to count rails
and owls. But, I have concerns about using tapes during nesting
season or in heavily birded areas, the latter of which applies in this
situation. The use of tapes is banned in my current home birding area and
I'm grateful for that.