Smooth-billed & Groove-billed Anis @ Ft. Lauderdale Airport


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Posted by Paul Bithorn on 15:32:36 04/08/05

On Thursday, April 7, 2005, while birding with Harriet Pooler, Field Trip Coordinator for Baton Rouge Audubon and birder extarordinaire, we set out on a quest to relocate the two species of Ani being seen across from the Greenbelt Park at Ft. Lauderdale Airport. We missed them from 7 to 8 a.m. in the morning but located the two Smooth-billeds and one Groove-billed on a return visit around 4 p.m., feeding on the ground in front of the Cocoplum hedge. After feeding they jumped up to the fence for great scope views. We looked north through the fence from the park just east of the double gates opening up to Perimiter Rd.

Two adults and one Juvenile Burrowing Owl were seen west of the baseball field at Barry University and White-winged and Monk Parakeets, along with Spot-breasted Orioles, were also seen in Miami Shores. A Red-crowned Parrot and two alternate plumaged Solitary Sandpipers in the pond on Deer Run in front of the Curtiss Mansion were spotted in Miami Springs and Mitred Parakeets and a Red-whiskered Bulbul in Kendall.

A quick stop at A.D. Barnes Park produced a nice, mixed flock of warblers, vireos and a Tufed Titmouse. The Carolina Chicakdee was not seen. A female Hooded Warbler was the highlight of species seen at the park.

A run out to Tamiami Trail included stops at the S-334 water control structure west of the Miccosukee Casino, where a small flock of Black-necked Stilts along with Purple Gallinule were found. Further west, a male and female Snail Kite hunted to the north of the abandoned airboat ride concession west of Shark Valley. A Common Myna was seen on the drive back east on the Trail.

Our final stop was the S.W. Regional Library where a single Purple Swamphen was seen along with a Caspian Tern. After dropping off Harriet a Limpkin was seen feeding in a pond on the Jacaranda Golf Course in Plantation from Pine Island Rd. just north of I-595. A nice finish to a great day!

Life is good..................................when Abita Turbo Dog is hoisted as your celebratory libation.



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