Posted by Robin Diaz on May 06, 2002 at 10:32:20:
Another pesky Western Spindalis is on Key Biscayne, in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. It is a male black-backed and is not shy. Listen for its vocalizations: a fairly loud, staccato "seet" when moving from each location; a chattering monologue while perched or preening; and an infrequent harsh 2-note call when it is feeding.
Enter the park (fee) and park at the western end of Area D. Go north on the paved bike path ~200 yds and look for a faint, white "6" on the right edge of the path. It was first seen across the path and worked its way north, feeding in the fruiting Strangler Figs.
I looked briefly for the female Western Spindalis yesterday in Crandon Gardens, but could not find her. However, I'm kicking around the idea of starting up a Spindalis Dating Service here on the Key.
A few Gray Kingbirds are in the park and late last week I saw 2 Hill Mynas (!) in the southern end.