Dry Tortugas birding.

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Posted by Larry Manfredi on 10:58:35 10/08/05

I just finished birding for the last three days including a day at the Dry Tortugas, migration seems to be a little slow this season. We have had unstable weather here in south Florida plus hurricanes and tropical storms, so I don't know how that effects migration. I personally have not seen any large movements of birds which may be a good thing, perhaps the birds are happily flying over and not stopping.

We had 42-species at the Dry Tortugas, 13-species of warbler, not bad for 4-hours of birding but slow compared to other years. The last hurricanes have taken out more trees and caused a lot of salt spray damage to the existing trees. All of the existing trees are already leafing out and will be nice and green by the spring time. Long Key where the Magnificent Frigatebirds nest, had quite a bit of damage but the Magnificent Frigatebirds were not bothered too much and were displaying! Hospital Key is still there with up to 9 Masked Boobies as well as a dozen or so Brown Boobies. All of the Sooty Terns were gone as well as the Brown Noddies we had hoped for a couple of lingering birds, Bush Key received damage but should be in good shape by the spring for nesting. Ft. Jefferson had some water damage in a few of the residence buildings this should be repaired soon. The fountain for the birds once again has been damaged but should be fixed soon.

Here are some of the highlights for the last 3-days:

Dry Tortugas.

Nashville Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Baltimore Oriole
Lark Sparrow

Lucky Hammock.

Three calling at the same time and seen Alder Flycatchers!
Blue Grosbeak
Up to three Yellow-breasted Chats

Key West had a lot of salt spray damage to many, many trees, Indigenous Park had a lot of damage with many trees down. The ones standing are leafing out and should be fine by spring. The Key West Botanical Garden is still closed due to trees down, Ft. Zacharry Taylor was in the best shape of the three parks with not much salt spray damage and very few trees down.

Larry Manfredi
Homestead, FL
E-mail: birderlm@bellsouth.net
http://www.southfloridabirding.com

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Comments:	: I just finished birding for the last three days including a day at the Dry Tortugas, migration seems to be a little slow this season. We have had unstable weather here in south Florida plus hurricanes and tropical storms, so I don't know how that effects migration. I personally have not seen any large movements of birds which may be a good thing, perhaps the birds are happily flying over and not stopping. : : We had 42-species at the Dry Tortugas, 13-species of warbler, not bad for 4-hours of birding but slow compared to other years. The last hurricanes have taken out more trees and caused a lot of salt spray damage to the existing trees. All of the existing trees are already leafing out and will be nice and green by the spring time. Long Key where the Magnificent Frigatebirds nest, had quite a bit of damage but the Magnificent Frigatebirds were not bothered too much and were displaying! Hospital Key is still there with up to 9 Masked Boobies as well as a dozen or so Brown Boobies. All of the Sooty Terns were gone as well as the Brown Noddies we had hoped for a couple of lingering birds, Bush Key received damage but should be in good shape by the spring for nesting. Ft. Jefferson had some water damage in a few of the residence buildings this should be repaired soon. The fountain for the birds once again has been damaged but should be fixed soon. : : Here are some of the highlights for the last 3-days: : : Dry Tortugas. : : Nashville Warbler : Wilson's Warbler : Baltimore Oriole : Lark Sparrow : : Lucky Hammock. : : Three calling at the same time and seen Alder Flycatchers! : Blue Grosbeak : Up to three Yellow-breasted Chats : : Key West had a lot of salt spray damage to many, many trees, Indigenous Park had a lot of damage with many trees down. The ones standing are leafing out and should be fine by spring. The Key West Botanical Garden is still closed due to trees down, Ft. Zacharry Taylor was in the best shape of the three parks with not much salt spray damage and very few trees down. : : Larry Manfredi : Homestead, FL : E-mail: birderlm@bellsouth.net : http://www.southfloridabirding.com : :
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