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Posted by Carlos Sanchez on 18:10:08 03/22/14
Frank Izaguirre, Adrienne Rose Block, and I spent most of the day birding Stormwater Treatment Area 5. Having never been to this birding site, Frank and Adrienne were undoubtedly impressed by the diversity and numbers of birds at STA-5. We recorded 74 species.
Although numbers of waterfowl continue to decline (we recorded only 1-3 individuals of Ring-necked Duck, Northern Shoveler, and American Wigeon), the drake CINNAMON TEAL was still present nestled within a large flock of Blue-winged Teal.
Purple Swamphen was numerous and conspicuous everywhere. In Thailand and Australia, these birds reach really high population densities in wetland areas. They seem to be poised to reach similar densities at this site.
At a water control structure, we literally bumped into the TROPICAL KINGBIRD that has been wintering here. Interestingly, most of the Tropical Kingbirds recorded in southern Florida in winter seem to be around water control structures. Despite their highly catholic habitat preferences in the neotropics, are they exploiting an artificial micro-habitat here? A large flock of teal feeding out in front of the kingbird spot had our only Fulvous Whistling-Duck of the day.
Other birds of note included Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Purple Gallinule, Marsh Wren, American Avocet, Stilt Sandpiper, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Peregrine Falcon, and American Bittern.
Great day of Florida wetland birding!
Carlos
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