Posted by Robin Diaz on December 19, 2017 at 18:44:49
With perfect weather and fantastic participants, we conducted the Long Pine Key CBC yesterday. Continuing high water levels prohibited access to some locations but these conditions also produced good duck, rail and shorebird species. There were no true surprises, though a Magnificent Frigatebird over Research Road seemed out of place. The continuing Brown-crested Flycatcher cooperated. Eighteen warbler species were counted, including Louisiana Waterthrush. Swallows included Tree, Barn, Northern Rough-winged and Cave. The Nashville Warbler was a no-show but a Yellow-breasted Chat was at its usual location. Lincoln's Sparrow is always nice but four were a nice surprise. We tallied 120 species, with 1 subspecies. There are a couple of more days for Count Week birds so if you're birding ENP and come across something interesting, please let us know. We missed European Starling! It was a fun and memorable day. MANY THANKS TO ALL YOU TERRIFIC BIRDERS! You're the best.