Posted by Carlos Sanchez on August 21, 2016 at 23:13:14
Eliana and I explored the Everglades Agricultural Area in Palm Beach County today for shorebirds and other specialty species -- and did the area deliver in a big way! The first flooded field along Browns Farm Road had a LONG-BILLED CURLEW -- an apparent first eBird record for Palm Beach County. The second flooded field further down the road added large numbers of 13 shorebird species, including Willet and Ruddy Turnstone. The predominant large wader was Snowy Egret (~200+). The New Vandergrift Road field continues to produce, although it is beginning to rapidly dry out. Highlights among 11 shorebird species included Stilt Sandpiper (~20) and Pectoral Sandpiper (~35). There were also over a half-dozen Gull-billed Tern and Blue-winged Teal present. However, the true spectacle was the sheer number of large wading birds (~270 Wood Stork, ~65 American White Pelican, ~110 Great Egret, ~46 Roseate Spoonbill). Great time to be out there! Carlos