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Posted by John Boyd on 08:50:31 01/30/05
The trip started at Coe Visitors Center where we again heard the 2 Screech-Owls that have been present there for several months.
Those in my car saw a Brown Thrasher in the tree in front of us as we parked at Anhinga trail. An American Bittern foraged right underneath us as we walked the boardwalk. Three Short-tailed Hawks (1 dark adult, 1 dark immature, 1 light) were the first of about 10 we saw during the day. A Roseate Spoonbill flyover was a bit unusual. We also spotted our only Sharpie of the day.
A Brown-crested Flycatcher was spotted as we stopped in the pinelands along Research Rd to look for Bluebirds, Towhees, and other specialties. More Short-tailed Hawks were seen. A Peregrine soared overhead as we left the pine area. Two White-tailed Kites were in the area enclosed by the road and a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was in the old missile base at the end of the road.
The female Vermilion was still at Paurotis Pond.
The only shorebirds at Flamingo were Dunlin. We did add Skimmers, 2 gulls, and 3 tern species to our list. Eco Pond was fairly quiet as a dark morph Short-tailed Hawk repeatedly flew into view. Sora was heard, but not seen. A short walk at the beginning of the coastal prairie trail produced our first real warbler flock of the day, including Magnolia, BT Blue, and Parula.
At West Lake, we added Worm-eating, Redstart, and Yellow-throated, in addition to 2 more BT Blues (male + female), Prairie, Parula, and several Black-and-whites. Of course, there was also a Short-tailed Hawk.
Mahogany Hammock also yielded a little flock, including Magnolia, BT Green, and Blue-headed Vireo. A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird visited some Coral Bean right after I pointed it out as a favorite of hummingbirds. The obligatory ST Hawk was also present.
Those of us left split into two groups: one went back to Anhinga Trail to hunt for King Rail (2 were found), the other to Lucky Hammock hoping to find some birds there in the last light. Painted Bunting, Harrier, and hordes of Savannah Sparrows and Ground-Doves were found. The Lesser Nighthawks made their expected appearance at about 6:15 over the pines in the park. Over 30 were seen as they work their way out over the fields and Lucky Hammock.
Three of us went back into the park in search of night birds. Whip-poor-will was found on Research Rd in the pine area. Lesser Nighthawk was present along the far west portion of Research Rd. Finally, both Barn and Screech Owl were heard at Anhinga Trail.
At least 104 species were found.
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