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Posted by Paul Bithorn on 19:44:38 01/22/05
While leading my office staff and their families on our annual Everglades National Park field trip, we had the type of day that helped justify - in their minds - my great passion for birding. On my way to meet them I had a Western Kingbird at Flynn's before stopping at the Greenway in search of the male Vermillion Flycatcher. No flycatcher, but Anhinga Trail was excellent due to lower water levels. A King Rail was spotted zig-zagging though the sawgrass until it walked into a opening, where it was easily viewed. The first of four American Bitterns was seen at the traditional honey-hole at the first tee in the boardwalk. Three Purple Gallinulles and a dark Short-tailed Hawk, in a kettle of vultures, were also seen from the trail.
On Research Road we easily found Brown-headed Nuthatches and Eastern Bluebird in a mixed flock of Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Further down the road a pair of White-tailed Kites did an aerial display that cried "love is in the air." A Peregrine Falcon and two Northern Harriers were also in the area.
A first year female Vermillion Flycatcher continues to winter at Paurotis Pond and Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills are checking out the rookery for nesting sites. Low water levels bode well for these two species.
A brief stop for lunch at Flamingo produced an American Crocodile on the wrip-wrap across from the water control structure behind the canoe rentals.
On the way out of the park another stop at the Greenway paid off as the male adult Vermillion Flycatcher glimmered as it sallied for insects, much to our delight.
Life is good.........................................sharing the splendor of Everglades National Park with friends and family.
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