Western Spindalis


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Posted by Trey Mitchell on 16:19:44 08/30/05


Hello everyone, I finally have power back and am trying to get things back to
normal. My email server is still down so I am using a different address until the other is up.



This morning I went to Bill Sadowski to see if there was anything interesting. I
maneuvered the trails having to go around trees that had blown over, but it was
worth it. The storm had thinned out the foliage allowing better views.


There was a lot of activity.



Prairies

B&W Warblers

Worm Eating Warbler

Red Starts

Red-eyed Vireos

White-eyed Vireo

Oven Bird

Blue-grey Gnatcatchers

Great Crested Flycatcher

and

"Western Spindalis"



I spotted the Spindalis on the trail from the park office to the Canoe launch.
It was on the left (west) side of the trail perched on a branch in the open. I
was about 35-40 ft away. I immediately knew that I had never seen this bird
before and got a pretty good look before it flew away. The look was only about
4-5 second long, but enough to get identifying markings.



Black and white striped head, dark orange or rusty breast with a grey belly. It
was at least 6 inches long.



The bird flew as I was pulling up my camera for a photo. The bird flew to the
right (east) into an open area with low shrubs and surrounded by trees. I pished
and searched for the bird for a little while but had to go to work.



I know that I am new to birding here in South Florida, but I couldn't find
another bird that even came close in any of my guides.



I called Toe and suggested that he try to stop by the park after work and look
for the bird since he lives so close.



I wasn't going to post with out confirmation, but thought others in the area may
want to take a look themselves.



In my opinion the park is worth birding anyway.



I hope someone else sees the bird or I get a photo either this evening or in the
morning.


Here are a few photos:








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