TAS Shark Valley/Loop Road Field Trip-10/30/04

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Posted by Paul Bithorn on 23:21:00 10/30/04

Nine birders took part in Tropical Audubon Society's field trip to Shark Valley and Loop Road on Saturday, October 30, 2004. We had an excellent day of birding with 74 species seen or heard. A slight breeze and low humidity made the birding quite comfortable and mosquitoes were not too bothersome despite high water levels.

Fifteen species of warblers were seen including: Northern Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue,Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Yellow-throated, Pine, Prairie, Palm, Bay-breasted, Black & White, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern Waterthrush.

Our first stop was the L-334 South Florida Water Management District structure just west of the Miccosukee Casino on the Tamiami Trail (US 41). The highlights were a pair of Marsh Wrens that foraged along the edge of a willow head in Area 3B, the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. Glossy Ibis, House Wren, and Swamp Sparrow were also in the area. Least Bittern was heard calling from the marsh.

At Shark Valley a single Purple Gallinule, a pair of soaring Snail Kites in a kettle of vultures, Red-Tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and several warblers were seen with a late Bay-breasted Warbler being the highlight.

The Pinecrest area of Loop Road had a nice mixed flock of warblers and vireos with Blue Headed and White-eyed Vireo, Magnolia and Black-throated Green Warblers along with a Ruby-crowned Kinglet being the highlights. A Wood Stork soared overhead as we headed west on Loop Road. Eastern Bluebirds, a large flock of Pine Warblers, Tufted Titmouse and Savannah Sparrows were also seen along the drive. The dirt road is in good shape even for compact cars.

Sweetwater Strand, further up the Loop towards Monroe Station, had another mixed flock with Northern Waterthrush and a pair of Great-crested Flycatcher being the highlights. New signage and a new bridge with concrete culverts and bulkheads have greatly improved the area.

A box turtle in the pine rocklands, a Southern Black Racer and Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfies at Shark Valley and two uncommon color forms of Liguus Fasciatus tree snails- clenchi and livingstona-were found in West Indian hardwood hammocks along Loop Road rounded out a great day of communing with nature.

Life is good..........exploring the Everglades and the Big Cypress Swamp.

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Comments:	: Nine birders took part in Tropical Audubon Society's field trip to Shark Valley and Loop Road on Saturday, October 30, 2004. We had an excellent day of birding with 74 species seen or heard. A slight breeze and low humidity made the birding quite comfortable and mosquitoes were not too bothersome despite high water levels. : : Fifteen species of warblers were seen including: Northern Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue,Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Yellow-throated, Pine, Prairie, Palm, Bay-breasted, Black & White, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern Waterthrush. : : Our first stop was the L-334 South Florida Water Management District structure just west of the Miccosukee Casino on the Tamiami Trail (US 41). The highlights were a pair of Marsh Wrens that foraged along the edge of a willow head in Area 3B, the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. Glossy Ibis, House Wren, and Swamp Sparrow were also in the area. Least Bittern was heard calling from the marsh. : : At Shark Valley a single Purple Gallinule, a pair of soaring Snail Kites in a kettle of vultures, Red-Tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and several warblers were seen with a late Bay-breasted Warbler being the highlight. : : The Pinecrest area of Loop Road had a nice mixed flock of warblers and vireos with Blue Headed and White-eyed Vireo, Magnolia and Black-throated Green Warblers along with a Ruby-crowned Kinglet being the highlights. A Wood Stork soared overhead as we headed west on Loop Road. Eastern Bluebirds, a large flock of Pine Warblers, Tufted Titmouse and Savannah Sparrows were also seen along the drive. The dirt road is in good shape even for compact cars. : : Sweetwater Strand, further up the Loop towards Monroe Station, had another mixed flock with Northern Waterthrush and a pair of Great-crested Flycatcher being the highlights. New signage and a new bridge with concrete culverts and bulkheads have greatly improved the area. : : A box turtle in the pine rocklands, a Southern Black Racer and Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfies at Shark Valley and two uncommon color forms of Liguus Fasciatus tree snails- clenchi and livingstona-were found in West Indian hardwood hammocks along Loop Road rounded out a great day of communing with nature. : : Life is good..........exploring the Everglades and the Big Cypress Swamp.
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