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Posted by David S. on 23:10:33 03/02/12
Audrey Whitlock and I went to the Miami Dade College Kendall Campus Environmental Center today in search of the Wilson's Warbler. After previous arrangements with Jake Pepper, the groundskeeper/naturalist of the center, we were accompanied by him and his helpful staff in our search of the days' birds. We were admitted after 11:00 am, due to an earlier class of school kids using the center for educational purposes. We were amazed at the number and diversity of birds in such a small area for being in a busy urban area. The Wilson's Warbler was finally located towards the end of our walk, after extensive searching. This bird only allowed brief looks, and was uncooperative with humans carrying binoculars. According to Jake, it's friendlier in the early morning. A female Rose-breasted Grosbeak was spotted earlier by some of the staff. Listed below are birds spotted in this small, but ecologically diverse habitat.
Miami Dade College Kendall Campus -- Environmental Center, Miami-Dade, US-FL
Mar 2, 2012 10:55 AM - 1:55 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Comments: a bit late to bird but that is the only time we were allowed in due to a school group being there;birding with David Schaffter, Jake Pepper, mgr, Bryan and Marci (workers);great time, neat place, great people, great animals;cuban and green anoles, Julia, G.S.Wht, G.Frit, Monarch, R.Daggerwing, Giant Swallowtail, ZLW, Horace's Duskywing, Queen plus Red-earred Slider and FL Cooter and gray squirrel;missed the RBGR
18 species
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Ring-billed Gull 1
Eastern Screech Owl 1 (in nest box, red phase)
Mourning Dove 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Blue Jay 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Gray Catbird 4
Ovenbird 1
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Parula 4
Palm Warbler (Western) 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 1 continuing male;heard it chip maybe 5x;only got a quick look at bird once unfortunately a leaf was covering most of it's blk cap;others saw it better than I;was with Parulas, blk & wht, Prairie, yellow-rumps,& Cardinals
Northern Cardinal 5
Painted Bunting 3
Boat-tailed Grackle 2
Jake and his staff were gracious enough to help us locate the birds and are extremely knowledgeable of the birds in the Center. They also have a red phase Screech Owl in a nest box they have on site. Jake would like to promote the Center more to the public and is willing to accompany the birding community with small guided tours when his schedule allows. You can call him at 305-322-0029 and find out more information about their operating hours and when he can accommodate a small group of birders with a personal tour. We hope this urban jewel becomes more accessible to serious birders, as it has so much to offer in the quantity and quality of not only birds, but also other plants and animals.
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