Posted by Paul on May 19, 2002 at 11:54:00:
Of cardinals seen in Flamingo - Anhinga this past weekend. Most cardinals had 3-5 babies and there was much activity along the road (maybe car-smashed-insects?) On Saturday we counted about 25 familes. also Eastern Kingbird very present at Paurotis Pond as was a solitary Great Crested flyatcher. The noise at paurotis is awesome: the rookery is very active and the sky overhead looks like Chicago O'Hare airport with woodstorks descending from all levels in gentle circles. Many young storks feeding (or learning how) in the mud flats as water levels fall. Anhinga is dry and no activity. One tourist reported an otter. Raccoons are omni-present and seem to be working the turtle egg nests. Also, the red-shouldered hawk at flamingo has two babies that are now following mom/dad all about. Their calls are not up to par yet, but getting there. Roseattes spoonbills present at Paurotis and a mated pair of Pileated woodpeckers were working over the standing dead coconut south of the boardwalk at eco-pond. Take note: deer flies and horse flies are in tremendous numbers all around flamingo area, snake bight, etc. No mosquitoes..none...just great hordes of deer flies and horse flies. I never knew that they can keep pace with an auto up to about 30 mph. Must be the emission that attracts them.