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Posted by David S. on 23:21:53 02/04/13
Audrey Whitlock and I started off early in the morning at Lucky Hammock for a full day of birding at selected spots across South Dade. We totaled 78 species by the end of the day. Notable birds of interest started at Lucky Hammock, with sightings of a Brown-crested Flycatcher, and a dark morph Short-tailed Hawk thermaling with the vultures. An Ash-throated Flycatcher was also seen and Sandhill Cranes were heard calling to the east. At the Annex, Eva Matthews and Alex spotted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak which we also found, along with a Least Flycatcher that was seen feeding on insects.
On the way to the C-111 canal pump station, we observed 2 Western Kingbirds and an accompanying Tropical Kingbird on power lines along SR 9336. The resident Vermilion Flycatcher is still hanging around the fence surrounding the C-111 pump station.
On the way to the sparrow fields at Chekika Park, we stopped at Homestead General Airport and observed a Burrowing Owl, perched at its favorite spot, on top of a hanger door of one of the buildings.
At the sparrow fields, located about 5 miles west of Krome Ave. on SW 168th St., we picked up another Tropical Kingbird by the pump station and spotted 2 White-tailed Kites in the lone pine tree by the small pond SW of the radio tower. No sparrows were seen, probably because we were too late in the day and from the increasing winds.
We hit the Matheson Hammock dog park at 3 pm, located west of the forest trails, just in time to see the Red-headed Woodpecker trying to cache a large seed in 3 different trees. A Hill Myna was heard in a large Royal Palm and some Yellow-chevroned Parakeets were seen flying overhead. About 15 Red-masked Parakeets were observed feeding on fruit of some Gumbo-limbo and Loquat trees.
We finished the day around 5 pm at the Kendall-Baptist Hospital, in the residential area just north of the hospital, locating 3 Red-whiskered Bulbuls on power lines and 30 Mitred Parakeets feeding on the fruit of Loquat Trees. Four Monk Parakeets were also seen next to a communal nest in a telephone pole.
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