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Posted by Brian Rapoza on 11:19:32 04/12/14
Twelve birders joined me for this morning's walk at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park. Even before we left the parking lot, we we treated to a flyover by six Blue-and-yellow Macaws. Jack and Alyssa Crittendon spotted two Wilson's Snipe in the open area at the east end of the park on their way in, so the group headed that way first. A flock of Cedar Waxwing flew over us as we headed east. The snipe were still there when we arrived, hunkered down so low in the short grass that it was at times difficult to see them. We soon saw a possible reason for their behavior: model airplane made several silent passes overhead, looking suspiciously like a raptor seeking an early-morning meal. No hawks were seen, but we did hear, and eventually some saw a Common Nighthawk flying to the east of the park.
We saw only a few migrant songbirds as we backtracked our way west through the park, first a Black-throated Blue Warbler, then a Common Yellowthroat, a Palm Warbler and a Black-and-white Warbler. Gray Catbirds were seen here and there; a Blue-headed Vireo and a House Wren were heard but not seen. As we entered the main hammock, a few in the group who straggled behind spotted a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Just as we learned of this sighting, the group chanced upon a Prothonotary Warbler associating with a singing and very sharply dressed Black-throated Green Warbler. A Red-eyed Vireo and another Black-and-white Warbler were also in the vicinity. A Northern Parula was found farther down the trail; it would be the last of the seven species of warblers were were able to find before heading back to our cars.
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