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Posted by Brian Rapoza on 14:49:34 12/08/12
This morning, I visited the wetlands along SW 232 Avenue and south of SW 216 Street in the East Everglades. As I drove south along SW 237 Avenue, I saw small flocks of American Robins flying overhead; I also heard American Goldfinch. I parked at the gate at SW 237 Avenue and SW 216 Street, walked east to SW 232 Avenue, then south about a mile to the high point in the road that overlooks the impoundments. I was hoping for waterfowl, but the only ducks seen were two Northern Shoveler and six Blue-winged Teal that I flushed from the canal that parallels SW 232 Avenue. Other notable species seen during my walk included three each of Roseate Spoonbill and Limpkin and one each of White-crowned and Swamp Sparrow.
A large dog, collar-less and clearly abandoned, was at the gate where I parked. A box cover containing a small amount of dog food was left in the road nearby. The dog tried to follow me down the road but was clearly trained, as it obeyed my commands to stay. Upon my return to the car, it was in a much less friendly mood and I had to use my tripod to keep it away from me.
Returning north, I ran into Jocelyn and Gary Robinson, who told me that they had seen several good birds at the C357 wetlands. I was only able to spend about 15 minutes there before a downpour chased me back to my car. There were good numbers of sparrows perched all along the fence between the gate and the berm, mostly Savannah but also including at least three Grasshopper and one Clay-colored. The "Tropical" Kingbird was seen flycatching from a cypress west of the entrance. A White-tailed Kite was perched on a snag south of the berm.
I wanted to check on the hummingbirds at Castellow Hammock, so I headed there next. I found two "Rufous," one around the ring of firebush and another working the orchid tree.
I ended my morning with quick stops at Cutler Wetlands and Dump Marsh; the only notable birds seen were one each of Gadwall and Red-breasted Mergaanser at Cutler Wetlands.
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