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Posted by Marcello Gomes on 13:59:00 03/26/13
This past Sunday, I had a friend visiting Coral Gables and she invited me down to beautiful Miami-Dade area for lunch. Since i didn't have to meet her until 2 pm, you probably know what i did - birding & exploring some hot spots.
My first stop was Richmond Ave toward Chekika. Along the road i saw:
Eastern Meadowlark
Loggerhead shrike
A Red-tailed hawk on a snag being attacked by a Northern Harrier
Heard what it seemed some type of sparrow but since i didn't want to abandon my car i left.
Not much else going on, i proceeded to C-111 & Lucky Hammock areas.
The wind was whipping like crazy and it dented my luck. The highlight was:
A close up of a White-morph Short-tailed Hawk in molting stage (looks like a juvie).
A Fish Crow attacking a Turkey-vulture and almost rode its back
No signs of any Flycatchers on Aerojet Rd. and Lucky Hammock ( there was a bike marathon going on - not the best day to be there i guess.
After almost giving up i drove towards the C-111 where i spotted the first and last flycatcher of the day - I believe it to be a Couch's Kingbird - hard to tell the difference from Tropical Kingbird (photo - experts on duty?)
After lunch with my friend in Key Biscayne, i quickly drove around Virginia Key and Crandon Beach. I must have been chosen to be in Miami in one of its busiest day - Tennis tournament and a heinous traffic.
Anyway: Virginia Key by the Dump Marsh area and Bike path area had:
dozen of N.Parula
Palm Warblers
Gray Catbirds
Spotted Sandpiper
Brown Pelican - Full breeding colors
not much more...
From there it was Crandon Beach:
Lots of shorebirds:
About a dozen Piping Plovers
About 2 dozen Semipalmated Plovers
Laughing Gulls (near 50+)
Royal Tern (about 25)
I am not sure on the id on the following:
Least Sandpiper?
Western Sandpiper?
If anyone is a pro with the peeps, would you please help...(photos)
Not much more was seen.
It'd be nice to have gone to Bill Baggs but with traffic like that - NO thanks!
Before i crossed the bridge towards 95 i dipped on the reported Black Hawk.
On the way home, i stopped at Publix on Hallandale Blvd and photographed 2 male Bronzed Cowbirds. They were at the east end of Publix by a pet store. I remember them being reported earlier in the year by John Hutchison & Russ Titus (with 12 birds at that time).
Hopefully next time there won't be as many sporting competitions in one day.
Thanks for your help!
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