Posted by Joe Barros on September 05, 2016 at 17:01:18
Twenty plus birders joined us at Fairchild Botanic Tropical Garden for the second bird walk of the fall season (The Sod Farm/EAA trip last weekend being the first). Gigi agreed to lead due to a recent and minor foot injury but due to her connections and the generosity of William and the FTBG staff, I was offered a golf cart so that I could join along with the group. We started the day with little activity in the oaks outside the south entrance and into the southern aspect of the garden, a Red-bellied Woodpecker at the apex of a Royal Palm, and an active Blue-gray Gnatcatcher together with a Northern Parula. Swallows were noted overhead most Barn Swallows but a couple Tree Swallows were also noted. As we crossed over to the Arboretum loop weaving in and out of the Kushlan Bird Trail and the historical “Warbler Zone” we began to find greater activity. Numerous Ovenbirds, a Northern Waterthrush, and great looks at a Louisiana Waterthrush were seen in this canopied area with much leaf litter, a perfect habitat for the warblers. A couple of Worm-eating Warblers were also spotted, along with American Restarts, and a Black and White Warbler. As we turned and headed to the lowlands a Spotted Sandpiper was spotted along the wall bordering the lakes. Also seen was a pair of Egyptian Geese, an Anhinga, a Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, and two high flying Ospreys. Unfortunately a few sprinkles of rain with thunder interrupted our day at this point and this point we decided to turn back ending our walk. A few birders stayed out and may add to the report. The list of birds seen is below. Bill and the lingering birders may add to the list. Thank you to all who joined us on the walk at FTBG and again I would again like to thank all at Fairchild, William, Gigi, Hong, and James, who welcome Tropical Audubon Society to the Garden each year. The Kushlan Bird Conservation Program sponsors the Birding activity at Fairchild including the weekend bird walks. The highlight is the upcoming Bird Festival at Fairchild September 27 through October 2. There will be a field-trips on Thursday and Friday with bird walks, children activities and lectures on Saturday and Sunday. Please go to the website, http://www.fairchildgarden.org, go to Events to see the schedule and register. See you there. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami-Dade, Florida, US Sep 3, 2016 7:55 AM - 9:55 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) Comments: TAS birdwalk. 23 species Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) 2 Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 1 Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 1 White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) 9 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2 Spotted Sandpiper White-crowned Pigeon White-winged Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2 Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri) 2 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2 Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 1 Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 2 Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 12 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 5 Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1 Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 3 Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum) 2 Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) 1 Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 1 American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 3 Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 1 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 4 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31418473 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)