Posted by Judd Patterson on January 01, 1970 at 00:00:00
Laura, I hope that you and your husband enjoy your tour of South Florida National Parks. A visit to Dry Tortugas NP will be a magical highlight and you are well-timed to see thousands of nesting Sooty Terns and Brown Noddy, along with the year-round Magnificent Frigatebird. Back on the mainland, things are going to be a bit slower. Breeding is tapering off and nearly all the wintering and spring migrants are gone. The resident birds that remain are still great, but the hot days and insects can make birding a bit more challenging. In particular, I think you may find Everglades NP to be a bit slow. I was there last weekend and couldn't even find an Anhinga on Anhinga Trail (first time in 8 years that has happened for me!) I might suggest that you take your second day in the park and do a little urban birding instead. If you are willing to drive 1 hour north of Miami, you will find the tail end of the breeding season for lots of species at Wakodahatchee Wetlands (Delray Beach, FL). There are dozens of nesting Wood Stork, Tricolored Heron, Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, etc. I hate to recommend against a second day in Everglades, but I want to be realistic (given the season) and make sure you have an enjoyable visit. Best of luck!