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Posted by Paul Bithorn on 17:20:50 07/29/13
In Reply to: Re: Shorebirds - Browns Farm Road posted by Bill Pranty
Hi Mr.Bill, Bill & Nancy,
Kevin Sarsfield and I birded the same areas on Saturday, the 27th and saw and heard the same Long-billed Dowitchers, which were still in alternate plumage, at the same location as reported my Bill and Nancy. No Short-billed Dowitchers were seen.
Many of the Stilt Sandpipers were stunning in their breeding plumaged regalia.Kevin photographed the Stilt Sandpipers, but I'm not sure if he captured any Long-billed Dowitchers in any of his shots.
Also sighted were Rough-winged and Barn Swallows, a Limpkin along Brown's Farm Road. Another highlight was 2 King Rails on the levee on the east side of the Miami River Canal paralleling US 27 in Palm Beach County. One rail distracted us away from a small black furball of a chick that ran and hid in the primrose willows.
Eastern Kingbirds and two White-tailed Deer (does)were seen earlier on the paved portion of Holeyland Road.
Four Barn Owls were spotted in the Cypress Glade on Miami Canal Road in Hendry County.For y'all's information,the Holeyland/Rotenberger W.M.A. are temporarily closed because of high water levels, which causes wildlife to take refuge on the levees, resulting in high levels of stress for the animals.
Nearby, over 100 Swallow-tailed Kites hawked over the Sugar Cane Fields for dragonflies, as they staged for the long flight south to Central and South America.
An impending thunderstorm approached from the west, and while driving back east to US 27 on the dirt road north side of the Miami Canal, I saw what I thought was a Bald Eagle sitting on the dirt road. It turned out to be an adult Swallow-tailed Kite that was apparently riding out the storm and looked quite relaxed as Kevin took a quick photo of the resting kite. It was surreal to say the least!
A Scarlet-fronted Parakeet greeted us, as it perched on the cable dish at Woody's West End Tavern in Miami Springs, where we stopped for a couple ice-cold Yuenglings and Snow Goose India Pale Ales to celebrate our good fortune. Life is good.......... birding the Everglades Agricultural Areas.
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