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Posted by John Boyd on 18:46:17 03/04/12
About 15 birders joined me on Saturday's TAS trip to Everglades National Park. A couple of Scissortailed Flycatchers and Western Kingbird were present near the intersection of Aerojet Road and the Ingrahm Highway before the trip started. They were seen by some of the group. The actual trip started with the continuing Vermilion Flycatcher at the C-111 canal. A Bronzed Cowbird also put in a brief appearance. Several deer were also spotted to the north. We then headed over to Lucky Hammock. Some of the group saw the Ash-throated Flycatcher at Lucky Hammock. A couple of Grasshopper Sparrows also gave good views.
We were surprised by the crowd at Anhinga Trail. I was unaware that it was "Vintage Everglades Day". There were a number of exhibits, special programs, and tours going on. We took a brief look at some, then walked the boardwalk. The highlights included baby Anhingas and lots of alligators. Gumbo Limbo Trail was pretty quiet (1 Myrtle and 1 Parula).
The pineland area along Research Road provided Brown-headed Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebirds, and Pine Warblers. Eastern Towhees were heard, but not seen. Farther down the road, Paul spotted a Swallow-tailed Kite over one of the berms in the restoration area.
At Long Pine Key, we tried for the Hermit Thrush that had been reported in Mosier Hammock, but without success. We heard more nuthatches, pine warblers, and towhees as we ate lunch, and a House Wren sang softly from the brush near one of the picnic tables. The fact that we were barely over 50 species indicated it would be a slow day in the glades.
Mahogany Hammock added a Black-and-white Warbler. Things picked up a bit at Paurotis Pond, with the Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills. A couple of Blue-winged Teal were spotted there, and a Northern Shoveler. After a brief stop at Nine Mile Pond, we continued to West Lake. Surprisingly, there were no ducks or even coots. Even more surprisingly, we found a Hermit Thrush while walking the boardwalk. A distant Barred Owl hooted a few times shortly before we returned to the cars.
Mrazek Pond was very nice, with both teal, shovelers, Black-necked Stilts, Roseate Spoonbills, and other waders. We had to scope a couple of shorebirds, which turned out to be Stilt Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs.
We spent about 45 minutes looking for the reported Black-throated Gray Warbler on Rowdy Bend Trail. It didn't show, but several other warblers did, including Black-throated Green. Another Barred Owl called while we were searching for the BT Gray.
Although it was only about an hour until low tide, the sandbar at Flamingo was still covered with water. I didn't check it exactly at low tide, but I don't believe it was uncovered on that cycle. There wasn't much water on it, as some Dunlin were foraging there. Other birds present included Royal and Caspian Terns, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. We also checked the shore near the primitive camping area. A few more shorebirds were present, but no godwits of any kind. Our last stop was Eco Pond, where there were a couple of Roseate Spoonbills and more Black-necked Stilts.
The group species total for the day was in the mid to upper 80's. Even when birding is slow in the glades, you still see some nice birds, and quite a bit of variety.
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