Posted by Robin Diaz on December 21, 2016 at 17:18:12
The Long Pine Key CBC was held on Monday, December 19. Our species tally is 111, with 1 subspecies (Eastern Palm Warbler) and 1 Count Week bird (Ruby-crowned Kinglet). We added 2 new birds to the list, Cave Swallow and Tropical Kingbird. We were slightly below average for this count but with no true misses. We had 17 warbler species but fewer raptors than usual. Better years have produced ducks, more sparrow species, shorebirds and rarities. Though we tried hard, we couldn’t pull out an Eastern Bluebird, one of Dick Cunningham's original target birds to monitor with this count. Huge THANK YOU to the dedicated birders who contribute to this count. You all are as important as the birds and this team keeps Long Pine Key CBC solid year after year. Also a big shout-out to Lori Oberhofer, the ENP Wildlife Biologist, who facilitated and supported our effort and to the Boy Scout Council for its continued support and access.