csanchez7's 2009 list

[csanchez7]

I started my 2009 list on the first of January. I plan to really bird a lot this year, and I hope to exceed 300 species for Florida by the end of the year. I also have a couple of trips planned (Arizona birding trip and Austria/Italy study abroad), so I am poised to do pretty well this year! All lifers will be marked with a bold (L).

Kendale Lakes Neighborhood (1/1/09)
1) Northern Mockingbird
2) Mourning Dove
3) European Starling
4) Eurasian Collared-dove
5) Yellow-throated Warbler
6) Blue Jay
7) Red-bellied Woodpecker
8) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
9) American Coot
10) Double-crested Cormorant
11) Common Moorhen
12) White Ibis
13) Tricolored Heron
14) Pied-billed Grebe
15) Palm Warbler
16) Anhinga
17) Common Grackle
18) Boat-tailed Grackle
19) Red-winged Blackbird
20) Cattle Egret
21) Osprey
22) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
23) Ring-billed Gull
24) Ruby-throated Hummingbird
25) Yellow-rumped Warbler
26) Turkey Vulture
27) Black-and-white Warbler
28) Eastern Phoebe
29) Northern Parula
30) American Kestrel
31) Prairie Warbler
32) Blue-headed Vireo
33) House Sparrow
34) Monk Parakeet
35) Common Myna
36) Rock Pigeon
37) Fish Crow
38) Ring-necked Duck

...quite a few species right around home! And a few more at the local park...

Kendall Indian Hammocks (1/1/09)
39) Painted Bunting
40) White-eyed Vireo
41) Gray Catbird
42) House Wren
43) Loggerhead Shrike
44) Black-throated Green Warbler

...and off to the beach...

John U. Lloyd State Park (1/1/09)
45) Belted Kingfisher
46) Brown Pelican
47) Northern Gannet
48) Laughing Gull
49) Magnificent Frigatebird
50) Ruddy Turnstone

...and a stop at the Least Grebe site...

Yamato Scrub Natural Area (1/1/09)
51) Green-winged Teal
52) Least Grebe

[csanchez7]

I spent the entire day today in Everglades National Park. Although I missed the two species I was primarily after (Brown-crested Flycatcher and Short-eared Owl, two rarities for Florida), I did get over two dozen year birds. I had a dozen wintering warblers, which was the highlight of the day for me.

Everglades National Park (1/2/09)
53) Whip-poor-will
54) Barn Owl
55) American Crow
56) Red-shouldered Hawk
57) Black Vulture
58) Great Blue Heron
59) Green Heron
60) Great Egret
61) Glossy Ibis
62) Little Blue Heron
63) Pileated Woodpecker
64) Northern Cardinal
65) Magnolia Warbler
66) Black-throated Blue Warbler
67) White-crowned Pigeon
68) Tree Swallow
69) Brown Thrasher
70) Great Crested Flycatcher
71) American Redstart
72) Short-tailed Hawk
73) Pine Warbler
74) Downy Woodpecker
75) Eastern Meadowlark
76) Eastern Towhee
77) Roseate Spoonbill
78) Wood Stork
79) Sandwich Tern
80) Northern Pintail
81) Mottled Duck
82) Snowy Egret
83) Black-crowned Night-heron
84) Common Yellowthroat
85) Spotted Sandpiper
86) American White Pelican
87) Northern Harrier
88) Savannah Sparrow

I participated in the Coot Bay Christmas Bird Count in Everglades National Park on January 3rd. I picked up about a dozen new year birds, ending the day just shy of 100 species for the year. No life birds yet this year -- Brown-crested Flycatcher, Great Cormorant, Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and Short-eared Owl have remained elusive despite more effort placed into seeing these species. I will get them soon, though!

Everglades National Park (1/3/09)
89) Eastern Screech-owl
90) Swamp Sparrow
91) Sedge Wren
92) Bald Eagle
93) Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
94) Willet
95) Dunlin
96) Black-bellied Plover
97) Reddish Egret
98) Black Skimmer
99) Gull-billed Tern

[csanchez7]

I birded the Lucky Hammock/Annex area on January 5th, hoping for Canada Goose and rare sparrows (Canada Goose is a very rare bird for South Florida, actually!). I got neither the Canada Goose or the sparrows, since the fields have been recently plowed. I did not even see the usual flock of Sandhill Cranes today. Nonetheless, I still picked up three new year birds, one of which was a life bird.

Lucky Hammock/Annex (1/05/09)
100) Common Ground-dove
101) Killdeer
102) American Pipit (L)

In the afternoon, I headed off to Everglades National Park for Brown-crested Flycatcher and Short-eared Owl. Got the former.

Everglades National Park (1/05/09)
103) Brown-crested Flycatcher (L)

On the 6th, I headed out back to John U. Lloyd to try and get that Great Cormorant -- got it! I then went to Wakodahatchee Wetlands and then Green Cay Wetlands where I saw quite a few new birds for the year.

John U. Lloyd State Park (1/06/09)
104) Great Cormorant (L)

Green Cay Wetlands, Wakodahatchee Wetlands (1/06/09)
105) Purple Gallinule
106) Blue-winged Teal
107) Limpkin
108) Cooper's Hawk
109) Northern Rough-winged Swallow
110) Sora
111) Wilson's Snipe

[csanchez7]

I went down to Dump Marsh and Cutler Wetlands today to see if the Tropical Kingbird, Lesser Nighthawks, and owls that are being reported are still around. I only managed to find two Lesser Nighthawks and none of the other birds. I still got several new year birds, though, including a pair of beautiful American Avocets at Cutler Wetlands.

Cutler Wetlands, Dump Marsh (01/07/09)
112) American Avocet
113) Brown-headed Cowbird
114) Least Sandpiper
115) Northern Shoveler
116) Lesser Nighthawk

Back down to the Everglades today, searching for more life birds (Brant, Short-eared Owl, Long-billed Curlew, and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow). I dipped on all four, but really cannot complain since I had many other great birds.

Everglades National Park (01/08/09)
117) Barred Owl
118) Broad-winged Hawk
119) White-tailed Kite
120) Yellow-throated Vireo
121) Northern Waterthrush
122) Yellow-crowned Night-heron
123) Horned Grebe

Some time along the coast at a spot I usually bird heavily during migration. There is a wintering flock in the mangroves which included most of the more common wintering warblers (Prairie, Palm, Yellow-throated), Blue-headed Vireo, Great Crested Flycatcher, and a little army of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Despite the low tide, there was little life on the mudflats other than White Ibis and an assortment of herons/egrets.

Matheson Hammock (01/09/09)
124) Royal Tern
125) Red-breasted Merganser

[csanchez7]

I had a fantastic day at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, as usual. I went with two friend birders of mine to this great park, finishing the day with 84 species seen. We saw 11 species of waterfowl, King Rail, Sora, 4 species of woodpecker, and a family of 7 Florida Scrub-jays among many other birds.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (01/10/09)
126) Great Horned Owl
127) Lesser Scaup
128) Common Loon
129) Hooded Merganser
130) American Wigeon
131) Forster's Tern
132) King Rail
133) Gadwall
134) Snow Goose
135) Ross's Goose
136) Greater Yellowlegs
137) Lesser Yellowlegs
138) Northern Flicker
139) Florida Scrub-jay
140) American Robin
141) Tufted Titmouse
142) Orange-crowned Warbler
143) Short-billed Dowitcher
144) Semipalmated Plover
145) Sanderling
146) Great Black-backed Gull

...And some more birding today at local birding hotspots yielded some great year birds!

Castellow Hammock (01/11/09)
147) White-winged Dove

Dump Marsh (01/11/09)
148) Tropical Kingbird
149) American Bittern

...And yet some more birding at local birding hotspots...

Crandon Beach (01/12/09)
150) Piping Plover
151) Snowy Plover
152) Lesser Black-backed Gull
153) Herring Gull

A.D. Barnes Park (01/12/09)
154) Summer Tanager

Did some birding in southern Miami-Dade, including Lucky Hammock and the Homestead Agricultural Area...

Lucky Hammock, Homestead Agricultural Area (01/13/09)
155) Least Flycatcher
156) Ovenbird
157) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Some more birding, this time closer to home, birding the local park for raptors and behind a Cuban restaurant for cowbirds...

Kendall Indian Hammock, plus behind La Carreta Restaurant (01/14/09)
158) Merlin
159) Bronzed Cowbird

[csanchez7]

Went on a trip with the local National Audubon Chapter to North Florida. It was a thrilling experience taking my first 'long distance' birding trip ever. I picked up 20 life birds and many new year birds, including several rarities such as Harris's Sparrow, Bullock's Oriole, Say's Phoebe, and Yellow Rail. Also, witnessed a spectacular behavior between Virginia Rail and Clapper Rail in a pool right by the side of the road at Panacea. This trip was amazing!

North Florida Trip 2009 (01/16-19/09)
160) Sandhill Crane
161) Eastern Bluebird
162) Red-tailed Hawk
163) Say's Phoebe (L)
164) White-crowned Sparrow
165) Vesper Sparrow (L)
166) Harris's Sparrow (L)
167) Ruby-crowned Kinglet
168) Brown-headed Nuthatch
169) Yellow Rail (L)
170) Henslow's Sparrow (L)
171) Red-cockaded Woodpecker (L)
172) American Goldfinch
173) Golden-crowned Kinglet (L)
174) Hermit Thrush
175) Carolina Chickadee (L)
176) Winter Wren (L)
177) Brown Creeper (L)
178) Carolina Wren
179) Marsh Wren
180) Cedar Waxwing (L)
181) Bufflehead
182) Common Goldeneye (L)
183) Long-billed Dowitcher
184) Virginia Rail
185) Bonaparte's Gull (L)
186) Redhead (L)
187) Canvasback
188) Song Sparrow
189) American Oystercatcher
190) Clapper Rail
191) White-breasted Nuthatch (L)
192) Red-headed Woodpecker (L)
193) Wood Duck
194) Chipping Sparrow
195) Field Sparrow (L)
196) House Finch (L)
197) Baltimore Oriole
198) Pine Siskin (L)
199) Bullock's Oriole (L)

[csanchez7]

I chased a vagrant warbler to Florida today right before class (a Black-throated Gray Warbler). I had a successful chase, getting this life warbler plus another year bird -- a beautiful Cape May Warbler already in spring plumage.

Broward Environmentally Sensitive Land (01/21/09)
200) Black-throated Gray Warbler (L)
201) Cape May Warbler

[csanchez7]

This past weekend, I went to the Space Coast Birding Festival based in East-Central Florida. I participated in the Zellwood-Apopka, Hal Scott Pineland Preserve, and Cape Canaveral Pelagic trips. I also went by my own to Ponce Inlet and Daytona Beach Shores for some rarities that had been reported there.

Space Coast Birding Festival (01/24/09-01/26/09)
202) White-throated Sparrow (L)
203) Black-bellied Whistling-duck
204) Ruddy Duck
205) Western Kingbird
206) Ash-throated Flycatcher (L)
207) Purple Martin
208) Wild Turkey
209) Bachman's Sparrow (L)
210) Purple Sandpiper (L)
211) Glaucous Gull (L)
212) Thayer's Gull (L)
213) Pomarine Jaeger
214) Iceland Gull (L)
215) Red Phalarope (L)
216) Audubon's Shearwater (L)

[csanchez7]

One new bird for the year today at The Annex -- Bell's Vireo. Also saw several other great birds for south Florida, including wintering Least Flycatcher and Brown-crested Flycatcher. on Research Road in the Everglades, I had White-tailed Kite and Barn Owl and sunrise.

The Annex (02/01/09)
217) Bell's Vireo

[csanchez7]

Classes have started, so I haven't had nearly as much time to bird. However, I have been picking up some birds here and there for the year. The Yellow Warbler is actually the Cuban subspecies which is resident and breeds in the mangroves of South Florida. It was a life subspecies, as I have only seen the migratory northern race before. Unfortunately, no Long-billed Curlew or American Flamingo in Snake Bight on my canoe trip this time!

A.D. Barnes Park (02/03/09)
218) Wilson's Warbler

Cutler Wetlands (02/06/09)
219) Cave Swallow

Everglades National Park -- Snake Bight (02/07/09)
220) Peregrine Falcon
221) Yellow Warbler

The Annex (02/10/09)
222) Indigo Bunting

[csanchez7]

I went to the southwest coast of Florida today (02/12/09) to look for Long-billed Curlew at Bunche Beach. I made several birding stops along the way, including Kirby Storter Boardwalk in Big Cypress National Preserve (highlights: Wild Turkey, 3 species of woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Louisiana Waterthrush). At Bunche Beach, I had 15 species of shorebird (highlights: Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Red Knot, American Avocet). I made a final stop at Tigertail Beach in Marco Island, adding one more shorebird species to my day list of 16 (Snowy Plover).

Crandon Beach (02/11/09)
223) Wilson's Plover

Big Cypress National Preserve (02/12/09)
224) Louisiana Waterthrush

Bunche Beach (02/12/09)
225) Western Sandpiper
226) Marbled Godwit
227) Red Knot
228) Long-billed Curlew (L)
229) Common Tern

[csanchez7]

I did a lot of birding this weekend. My birding weekend first started out with the Tropical Audubon Society in Stormwater Treatment Area 5 (usually known as STA-5). Waterfowl numbers are definitely starting to thin out rapidly here in south Florida, as there were far fewer American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, and Northern Shoveler than there were earlier in the year. Although I dipped with the Eurasian Wigeon that has been reported from here a couple times in the past month, we had a lot of great birds.

John Stretch Park and STA-5 (02/14/09)
230) Caspian Tern
231) Fulvous Whistling-duck
232) Black-necked Stilt
233) Snail Kite
234) Stilt Sandpiper

The next day, I drove up to Titusville to meet with a local birder there who had found several interesting waterfowl species a few days earlier, including a Eurasian Wigeon. Although we missed the Eurasian Wigeon (maybe next winter season!), we did pick up Long-tailed Duck and wild Mallard fairly quickly. Mallard in Florida is actually very rare (I don't count the feral barnyard birds that hang out in the local lakes), so this was a totally new bird for me in Florida.

Indian River Lagoon (02/15/09)
235) Long-tailed Duck (L)
236) Mallard (L)

[csanchez7]

Been a bit busy, but I have gotten to bird here and there!:

Matheson Hammock Park (02/28/09)
237) Nashville Warbler

A.D. Barnes Park (03/04/09)
238) Chuck-will's-widow

Cutler Wetlands (03/06/09)
239) Yellow-headed Blackbird

C-111E Canal (03/08/09)
240) Rose-breasted Grosbeak
241) Grasshopper Sparrow

Everglades National Park (03/08/09)
242) Worm-eating Warbler
243) Swallow-tailed Kite

[csanchez7]

Tried looking for a Western Spindalis reported in Evergreen Cementary today with no luck. Did see a Field Sparrow, which is a big rarity for South Florida, but I had already seen this species in North Florida. Swung around Old Griffon Road, which was nearby, and saw two Smooth-billed Anis.

Old Griffon Road (03/12/09)
244) Smooth-billed Ani

A trip to Central Florida was a big success. Target species on the trip included Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman's Sparrow, and Hairy Woodpecker (the most difficult to find of all eight woodpeckers that occur in Florida, a habitat specialist in the state).

Lake Kissimmee State Park (03/14/09)
245) Hairy Woodpecker (L)
246) Crested Caracara

An attempt for Black Rails at St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge was unsuccessful for the elusive little birds. Got to give these another shot, though. I did have my FOTS Barn Swallows mixed in with a flock of Tree Swallows!

St. Johns NWR (03/21/09)
247) Barn Swallow

[csanchez7]

Before class, I went to the neighborhood north of Kendall Baptist Hospital and lucked out, getting two Red-whiskered Bulbuls almost immediately on the wire.

Kendall Baptist Hospital Area (03/23/09)
248) Red-whiskered Bulbul

Wakodahatchee this afternoon was very productive, with a large flock of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, several Purple Gallinule, a calling Limpkin, two Soras, and other typical wetland birds for this region of Florida. The highlight of my trip, however, was a Least Bittern.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands (03/24/09)
249) Least Bittern

I had an unexpected new year bird right on campus today at the University of Miami -- a trio of White-winged Parakeets feeding in the palms. The only countable parrot species in Florida are Monk and White-winged Parakeets. The abundant Mitred Parakeets are non-countable.

University of Miami Campus (03/27/09)
250) White-winged Parakeet

[csanchez7]

Spring migration has started in South Florida. I have begun shifting my focus from birding in Everglades National Park and other more distant spots to daily visits to the local migrant traps.

Everglades National Park -- Chekika Unit (03/29/09)
251) Eastern Kingbird

Matheson Hammock County Park (03/30/09)
252) Prothonotary Warbler

A.D. Barnes Park (03/30/09)
253) Red-eyed Vireo
254) Sharp-shinned Hawk

[csanchez7]

I had a productive trip to the western Everglades today, including such highlights as Baltimore Oriole, Marbled Godwit, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. I picked up one new bird for the year, which also happens to be an addition to my ABA list.

Everglades National Park (04/06/09)
255) Shiny Cowbird (ABA L)

A visit to Cutler Wetlands for Solitary Sandpiper resulted in no Solitary Sandpiper -- but an even better bird for spring migration!

Cutler Wetlands (04/08/09)
256) Upland Sandpiper

A.D. Barnes had a few migrants the next day, including a stunning Scarlet Tanager.

A.D. Barnes Park (04/09/09)
257) Scarlet Tanager

I chased after a Thick-billed Vireo that was reported at Spanish River Park -- a magnet for Caribbean vagrants. I was unable to find the Thick-billed Vireo there, but I was able to pick up a couple of new birds in what turned out to be a birding spree along the coastal hotspots of southern Palm Beach and northern Broward counties.

Spanish River Park (04/10/09)
258) Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (04/10/09)
259) Chimney Swift

[csanchez7]

I had a really productive day in Everglades National Park today, with 70 species seen between 8am and 3pm.

Everglades National Park (04/11/09)
260) Blue Grosbeak
261) Wood Thrush (L)
262) Solitary Sandpiper

...unsuccessful search for Mangrove Cuckoo.

Key Largo State Botanical Site (04/12/09)
263) Black-whiskered Vireo

Cutler Wetlands (04/12/09)
264) Least Tern

Kendall-Tamiami Airport (04/12/09)
265) Burrowing Owl

University of Miami (04/13/09)
266) Gray Kingbird

Bill Baggs State Park (04/13/09)
267) Blackpoll Warbler

Fort Myers Beach (04/14/09)
268) Whimbrel

[csanchez7]

Picked up this bird singing on campus...

University of Miami Campus (04/15/09)
269) Spot-breasted Oriole

Some luck with migrants on the 16th, including a life bird.

Matheson Hammock (04/16/09)
270) Blue-winged Warbler

Evergreen Cemetery (04/16/09)
271) Swainson's Warbler (L)

Key West (04/18/09)
272) Swainson's Thrush
273) Gray-cheeked Thrush
274) Eastern Wood-Pewee
275) Orchard Oriole

Homestead Agricultural Area (04/20/09)
276) Common Nighthawk

[csanchez7]

A.D. Barnes Park (04/22/09)
277) Veery

Another mad dash to the lower keys for vagrants...

Marathon Government Center (04/25/09)
278) Roseate Tern (L)

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (04/25/09)
279) Hooded Warbler
280) Fork-tailed Flycatcher

[csanchez7]

A wild chase for a Caribbean rarity was a big success -- I got two life birds out of it!

Key West (04/30/09)
281) Dickcissel (L)
282) Western Spindalis (L)

[csanchez7]

I took my first trip ever to the Dry Tortugas National Park, where I had a fantastic time and picked up many year birds and a life bird (only spot in the USA to get Masked Booby!).

Dry Tortugas National Park (05/03/09)
283) Brown Booby
284) Sooty Tern
285) Brown Noddy
286) Bridled Tern
287) Bobolink
288) Chestnut-sided Warbler
289) Masked Booby (L)

Key West Airport (05/03/09)
290) Antillean Nighthawk (L)

A report yesterday about a White-rumped Sandpiper at Cutler Wetlands in southern Miami-Dade county was good enough of a reason for me to head out down south to go see it. There were many shorebirds around in this small parcel of habitat, including Black-necked Stilt, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Killdeer, and Semipalmated Plover.

Cutler Wetlands (05/07/09)
291) Semipalmated Sandpiper
292) White-rumped Sandpiper

[csanchez7]

On May 9th, Miami-Dade County had its North American Migration Count. I volunteered for two of the best migrant traps in the county -- A.D. Barnes Park and Matheson Hammock. Although migration is well past its peak in South Florida, we still managed to find 9 species of warbler for the day -- one of which is one of the more sought after migrants, with a very narrow migration window to find them -- Connecticut Warbler!

A.D. Barnes Park (05/09/09)
293) Connecticut Warbler

On May 16th, I went with the local chapter of the Audubon Society to look for Mangrove Cuckoo and other Florida Keys specialties. We managed to find most of our target birds, including Black-whiskered Vireo, Gray Kingbird, Reddish Egret, and White-crowned Pigeon. However, the best was saved for last as a Mangrove Cuckoo flew right over the path over our heads. It was soon joined by a second Mangrove Cuckoo being chased by a Great Crested Flycatcher! A great way to end our birding excursion -- with a much desired year and life bird.

Key West State Botanical Site (05/16/09)
294) Mangrove Cuckoo (L)

[csanchez7]

From May 18th to the 28th, I was in Costa Rica on my first big birding adventure in the neotropics. I had a fantastic time, seeing 301 species of bird in the course of 10 days. I used public transportation and created my own itinerary. This country was very safe and easy to travel in, so I recommend it heartily to anyone with any doubts about visiting. My first stop on the trip was the Pacific lowlands. I decided to stay at the small town of Tarcoles at Hotel Carara, which was affordable and gave me access to birding sites in the area such as the Tarcoles Beach, Tarcoles River, and Carara National Park.

Costa Rica: Carara National Park, Tarcoles River, Tarcoles (05/18-05/20/09)
295) Great-tailed Grackle (L)
296) Red-billed Pigeon (L)
297) Clay-colored Thrush (L)
298) Scarlet Macaw (L)
299) Yellow-headed Caracara (L)
300) Great Kiskadee
301) Inca Dove (L)
302) Rufous-naped Wren (L)
303) Hoffmann's Woodpecker (L)
304) Groove-billed Ani (L)
305) Yellow-bellied Elaenia
306) Gray-breasted Martin
307) Green Kingfisher (L)
308) Mangrove Swallow (L)
309) Blue-gray Tanager
310) Ruddy Ground-Dove
311) Bank Swallow
312) Common Tody-Flycatcher
313) Rose-throated Becard (L)
314) Mangrove Vireo (L)
315) Streak-headed Woodcreeper (L)
316) Common Black-Hawk (L)
317) White-throated Magpie-Jay (L)
318) Yellow-naped Amazon (L)
319) Ringed Kingfisher (L)
320) Red-legged Honeycreeper (L)
321) Orange-chinned Parakeet
322) Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet (L)
323) Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (L)
324) Dot-winged Antwren (L)
325) Barred Antshrike (L)
326) Black-hooded Antshrike (L)
327) Rufous-and-white Wren (L)
328) Stripe-throated Hermit
329) Northern Bentbill (L)
330) Orange-collared Manakin (L)
331) Lesser Greenlet (L)
332) Pale-billed Woodpecker (L)
333) White-tipped Dove
334) Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (L)
335) Black-throated Trogon (L)
336) Yellow-green Vireo (L)
337) Piratic Flycatcher (L)
338) Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher (L)
339) White-whiskered Puffbird (L)
340) Plain Xenops (L)
341) Boat-billed Heron (L)
342) Plumbeous Kite (L)
343) Northern Jacana (L)
344) Slaty-tailed Trogon (L)
345) Amazon Kingfisher (L)
346) Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (L)
347) Purple-crowned Fairy (L)
348) Yellow-throated Euphonia (L)
349) Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (L)
350) Scrub Euphonia (L)
351) Northern Royal Flycatcher (L)
352) Great Tinamou (L)
353) Muscovy Duck (L)
354) Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (L)
355) Gray-chested Dove (L)
356) Rufous-breasted Wren (L)
357) Turquoise-browed Motmot (L)
358) Blue-black Grassquit (L)
359) White-collared Seedeater (L)
360) Collared Plover (L)
361) Double-striped Thick-knee (L)
362) Panama Flycatcher (L)
363) Red-lored Amazon (L)
364) Neotropic Cormorant (L)
365) Orange-fronted Parakeet (L)
366) Gray-necked Wood-Rail (L)
367) Variable Seedeater (L)
368) Orange-billed Sparrow (L)
369) Buff-throated Saltator (L)
370) Blue-crowned Motmot (L)
371) Rufous-capped Warbler (L)
372) Brown Jay (L)
373) Long-tailed Manakin (L)
374) Gray Hawk (L)
375) Social Flycatcher
376) Black-headed Trogon (L)
377) Stripe-headed Sparrow (L)
378) Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (L)
379) Melodious Blackbird (L)
380) Cherrie's Tanager (L)
381) Tropical Gnatcatcher (L)
382) Squirrel Cuckoo
383) Mangrove Hummingbird (L)
384) American Pygmy Kingfisher (L)
385) Black-and-white Owl (L)

[csanchez7]

After birding the Pacific coast of Costa Rica at Tarcoles and Carara National Park, I headed to Orotina (for staked out Black-and-white Owl) and then San Jose, where I jumped on the bus for Monteverde. For the next couple of days, I stayed at El Bosque Lodge where I had a fantastic time -- eleven species of hummingbird, three male Resplendent Quetzals, Mottled Owl, and a displaying Three-wattled Bellbird were among the gems I saw during my stay.

Costa Rica: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, Hummingbird Gallery (05/21-05/23/09)
386) Crimson-fronted Parakeet (L)
387) Rufous-collared Sparrow (L)
388) Grayish Saltator
389) Ruddy Pigeon (L)
390) Steely-vented Hummingbird (L)
391) Yellow-faced Grassquit (L)
392) White-collared Swift (L)
393) Plain Wren (L)
394) Boat-billed Flycatcher (L)
395) Fork-tailed Emerald (L)
396) Blue-and-white Swallow (L)
397) Purple-throated Mountain-gem (L)
398) Emerald Toucanet (L)
399) Orange-bellied Trogon (L)
400) Prong-billed Barbet (L)
401) Spangle-cheeked Tanager (L)
402) Green-crowned Brilliant (L)
403) Green Violetear (L)
404) Violet Sabrewing (L)
405) Bananaquit
406) Magenta-throated Woodstar (L)
407) Stripe-tailed Hummingbird (L)
408) Resplendent Quetzal (L)
409) Coppery-headed Emerald (L)
410) Golden-bellied Flycatcher (L)
411) Slate-throated Whitestart
412) Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (L)
413) Black-faced Solitaire (L)
414) Three-striped Warbler (L)
415) Black Guan (L)
416) Common Bush-Tanager (L)
417) Golden-browed Chlorophonia (L)
418) Yellow-thighed Finch (L)
419) Azure-hooded Jay (L)
420) Tropical Pewee (L)
421) Slay-backed Nightingale-Thrush (L)
422) White-throated Thrush (L)
423) Yellowish Flycatcher (L)
424) Green Hermit (L)
425) Smoky-brown Woodpecker (L)
426) Streak-breasted Treehunter (L)
427) White-fronted Amazon (L)
428) Keel-billed Toucan (L)
429) Mottled Owl (L)
430) White-naped Brush-Finch (L)
431) Dusky-capped Flycatcher
432) Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush (L)
433) White-eared Ground-Sparrow (L)
434) Olive-striped Flycatcher (L)
435) Mountain Thrush (L)
436) Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (L)
437) Black-thighed Grosbeak (L)
438) Collared Whitestart (L)
439) Ruddy Treerunner (L)
440) Spotted Barbtail (L)
441) Olive-sided Flycatcher (L)
442) Immaculate Antbird (L)
443) Silvery-fronted Tapaculo (L)
444) Ochraceous Wren (L)
445) Silver-throated Tanager (L)
446) Red-faced Spinetail (L)
447) Paltry Tyrannulet (L)
448) Slaty Antwren (L)
449) Tufted Flycatcher (L)
450) Mountain Elaenia (L)
451) Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (L)
452) Elegant Euphonia (L)
453) Scarlet-thighed Dacnis (L)
454) Three-wattled Bellbird (L)

[csanchez7]

For the third part of my Costa Rica trip, I decided to visit the Caribbean foothills and lowlands. On May 24th, I birded the Quebrada Gonzalez Trail in Braulio Carillo National Park with birdforum's very own 'birdingcraft', who helped me find many great birds. The pace of birding did not slow down in the lowlands, where birding around El Gavilan Lodge's secondary growth and riparian gallery forest and La Selva's primary forest was extremely productive.

Costa Rica: Caribbean foothills and lowlands at Braulio Carillo National Park, La Selva OTS, and El Gavilan Lodge (05/24-05/26/09)
455) Collared Aracari (L)
456) Montezuma Oropendola (L)
457) Green Honeycreeper
458) Chestnut-backed Antbird (L)
459) Black-faced Grosbeak (L)
460) Black-and-yellow Tanager (L)
461) Speckled Tanager (L)
462) Short-billed Pigeon (L)
463) White-vented Euphonia (L)
464) Violet-crowned Woodnymph (L)
465) Cinnamon Woodpecker (L)
466) Tawny-capped Euphonia (L)
467) Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant (L)
468) Nightingale Wren (L)
469) Crested Guan (L)
470) White-ruffed Manakin (L)
471) Stripe-breasted Wren (L)
472) Scarlet-rumped Cacique (L)
473) White-throated Shrike-Tanager (L)
474) Dusky-faced Tanager (L)
475) Olive Tanager (L)
476) Tawny-crested Tanager (L)
477) Spotted Woodcreeper (L)
478) White-shouldered Tanager (L)
479) Blue-and-gold Tanager (L)
480) Russet Antshrike (L)
481) Bat Falcon (L)
482) Black-cheeked Woodpecker (L)
483) American Dipper (L)
484) Plain-brown Woodcreeper
485) White-breasted Wood-Wren (L)
486) Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner (L)
487) Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush (L)
488) Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (L)
489) Palm Tanager
490) Passerini's Tanager (L)
491) Bay Wren (L)
492) Black-cowled Oriole (L)
493) White-crowned Parrot (L)
494) Black-hooded Saltator (L)
495) Yellow-billed Cacique (L)
496) Golden-hooded Tanager (L)
497) Mealy Amazon (L)
498) Band-backed Wren (L)
499) Sunbittern (L)
500) Buff-rumped Warbler (L)
501) Rufous-tailed Jacamar
502) Black-crowned Tityra (L)
503) Yellow-crowned Euphonia (L)
504) Southern Rough-winged Swallow
505) Black-throated Wren (L)
506) Long-tailed Tyrant (L)
507) Band-tailed Barbthroat (L)
508) Pale-vented Pigeon (L)
509) Gray-headed Chachalaca (L)
510) Gray-capped Flycatcher (L)
511) White-collared Manakin (L)
512) Fasciated Antshrike (L)
513) Great Antshrike (L)
514) Lineated Woodpecker (L)
515) Yellow-olive Flycatcher (L)
516) Rufous Motmot (L)
517) Long-billed Starthroat (L)
518) White-ringed Flycatcher (L)
519) Red-throated Ant-Tanager (L)
520) Olive-throated Parakeet (L)
521) Cinnamon Becard (L)
522) Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (L)
523) Pied Puffbird (L)
524) Masked Tityra
525) Broad-billed Motmot (L)
526) Northern Barred Woodcreeper (L)
527) Olive-backed Euphonia (L)
528) Purple-throated Fruitcrow (L)
529) Great Curassow (L)

[csanchez7]

Finally, the fourth and last segment of my Costa Rica trip was spent in Cerro de la Muerte and the Dota region. It was COLD! The high altitude also often left me a bit short of breath when trying to hike quickly uphill. The birds here were a bit unusual and less afraid of people than at other locations. I felt like I was in an island ecosystem, except that the "island" was surrounded by lower elevations instead of an ocean. Many of the species I saw were endemic to the area.

Costa Rica: Cerro de la Muerte, Savegre, Mirador de Quetzales (05/26-05/28/09)
530) Slaty Flowerpiercer (L)
531) Large-footed Finch (L)
532) Fiery-throated Hummingbird (L)
533) Magnificent Hummingbird (L)
534) Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush (L)
535) Spot-crowned Woodcreeper (L)
536) Sooty Thrush (L)
537) Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher (L)
538) Band-tailed Pigeon (L)
539) Flame-colored Tanager (L)
540) Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher (L)
541) Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager (L)
542) Black-capped Flycatcher (L)
543) Yellow-bellied Siskin (L)
544) Flame-throated Warbler (L)
545) Yellow-winged Vireo (L)
546) Volcano Hummingbird (L)
547) White-throated Mountain-gem (L)
548) Acorn Woodpecker (L)
549) Sulphur-winged Parakeet (L)

[csanchez7]

After coming back from Costa Rica, it has taken a little while to get used to the slower pace of birding in Florida. A pelagic trip on May 30th was relatively uneventful. A trip into Everglades National Park was immediately successful for Northern Bobwhite -- I didn't even have to get out of my car because the birds were walking around in the grassy meridian!

Miami-Dade Pelagic Trip (05/30/09)
550) Wilson's Storm-Petrel (L)

Everglades National Park (06/02/09)
551) Northern Bobwhite

[csanchez7]

From June 13 to June 21, I went on a Tropical Audubon sponsored trip to southern California, where we visited the Palos Verde Peninsula, Santa Cruz Island, the Kern River Preserve, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Mojave Desert, and Salton Sea. I saw 181 species of birds, including both endemics (Island Scrub-Jay and Yellow-billed Magpie). Out of this trip list, 91 birds were life birds and an additional 5 species were new to me for the ABA area. This is turning out to be a great birding year for me!

Southern California (06/13-06/21/09)
552) Western Gull (L)
553) Common Raven (L)
554) California Towhee (L)
555) Cliff Swallow
556) White-throated Swift (L)
557) Heermann's Gull (L)
558) California Gnatcatcher (L)
559) Lesser Goldfinch (ABA L)
560) Bushtit (L)
561) Black Phoebe (L)
562) Pelagic Cormorant (L)
563) Brewer's Blackbird (L)
564) Western Grebe (L)
565) Brandt's Cormorant (L)
566) Sooty Shearwater (L)
567) Black Oystercatcher (L)
568) Pacific-slope Flycatcher (L)
569) Pigeon Guillemot (L)
570) Black-chinned Hummingbird (L)
571) Allen's Hummingbird (L)
572) Island Scrub-Jay (L)
573) Bewick's Wren (L)
574) Spotted Towhee (L)
575) Rufous-crowned Sparrow (L)
576) Pink-footed Shearwater (L)
577) Brant Goose (L)
578) Elegant Tern (L)
579) Western Scrub-Jay (L)
580) Western Bluebird (L)
581) California Quail (L)
582) Nuttall's Woodpecker (L)
583) Dark-eyed Junco (L)
584) Oak Titmouse (L)
585) Violet-green Swallow (L)
586) Black-headed Grosbeak (L)
587) Western Wood-Pewee (L)
588) Wrentit (L)
589) Chestnut-backed Chickadee (L)
590) Cinnamon Teal (L)
591) Anna's Hummingbird (L)
592) Clark's Grebe (L)
593) California Thrasher (L)
594) Hooded Oriole (L)
595) Yellow-billed Magpie (L)
596) Horned Lark
597) Warbling Vireo (L)
598) Western Meadowlark (L)
599) Brewer's Sparrow (L)
600) Steller's Jay (L)
601) Pygmy Nuthatch (L)
602) Fox Sparrow (L)
603) Mountain Chickadee (L)
604) Dusky Flycatcher (L)
605) White-headed Woodpecker (L)
606) Green-tailed Towhee (L)
607) Calliope Hummingbird (L)
608) Clark's Nutcracker (L)
609) Tricolored Blackbird (L)
610) Willow Flycatcher (L)
611) Western Tanager (L)
612) Townsend's Solitaire (L)
613) Red-breasted Nuthatch (L)
614) Red-breasted Sapsucker (L)
615) Black Swift (L)
616) MacGillivray's Warbler (L)
617) Hammond's Flycatcher (L)
618) Hermit Warbler (L)
619) Purple Finch (L)
620) Costa's Hummingbird (L)
621) Verdin (L)
622) Black-throated Sparrow (L)
623) Phainopepla (L)
624) Mountain Quail (L)
625) Sage Sparrow (L)
626) Plumbeous Vireo (L)
627) Rock Wren (L)
628) Scott's Oriole (L)
629) Pinyon Jay (L)
630) Cactus Wren (L)
631) Eared Grebe (L)
632) California Gull (L)
633) Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (L)
634) Abert's Towhee (L)
635) White-faced Ibis (L)
636) Greater Roadrunner (L)
637) Yellow-footed Gull (L)
638) Gambel's Quail (L)
639) Gila Woodpecker (L)
640) Greater White-fronted Goose (L)
641) Cackling Goose (L)
642) Vermilion Flycatcher (L)
643) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (L)
644) Cassin's Kingbird (L)
645) Yellow-breasted Chat
646) Red-crowned Amazon (L)

[csanchez7]

I am currently in the land down under for 4 months in a study abroad program at the University of Wollongong. Although lacking a car, I have come across several people generous enough to help me out on my quest to see as many Australian birds as I can while I am here. Here is the first batch of birds for the month of July, which includes birds seen on sight seeing trips to Canberra and Sydney, hikes around the Mt. Keira rainforest, and even my first Wollongong pelagic! Needless to say, all the birds are life birds on this list so I won't even bother with the (L):

647 Noisy Miner
648 Crested Pigeon
649 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
650 Australian Magpie
651 Rainbow Lorikeet
652 Masked Lapwing
653 Galah
654 White-faced Heron
655 Magpie-lark
656 Australian Raven
657 Red Wattlebird
658 Purple Swamphen
659 Maned Duck
660 Dusky Moorhen
661 Hardhead
662 Pacific Black Duck
663 Silver Gull
664 Laughing Kookaburra
665 Welcome Swallow
666 Little Wattlebird
667 Black-browed Albatross
668 Little Wattlebird
669 Sooty Oystercatcher
670 Superb Fairywren
671 Chestnut Teal
672 Little Pied Cormorant
673 Willie-Wagtail
674 Yellow Thornbill
675 Australian Pelican
676 European Goldfinch
677 Silvereye
678 New Holland Honeyeater
679 Lewin's Honeyeater
680 Grey Fantail
681 Little Black Cormorant
682 Grey Teal
683 Golden Whistler
684 Kelp Gull
685 Spotted Dove
686 Eastern Rosella
687 Grey Butcherbird
688 Crimson Rosella
689 White-browed Scrubwren
690 Brown Thornbill
691 Eastern Yellow Robin
692 Grey Shrike-thrush
693 Australian King Parrot
694 White-winged Chough
695 Pied Currawong
696 White-plumed Honeyeater
697 Red-rumped Parrot
698 Australian White Ibis
699 Brown Gerygone
700 Brown Cuckoo-dove
701 Australian Brush-Turkey
702 Wedge-tailed Eagle
703 White-throated Treecreeper
704 Satin Bowerbird
705 Eurasian Coot
706 Bar-tailed Godwit
707 Black-fronted Dotterel
708 White-headed Stilt
709 Royal Spoonbill
710 Common Greenshank
711 Black Swan
712 Little Egret
713 Pied Oystercatcher
714 Red-browed Finch
715 Yellow-rumped Thornbill
716 Darter
717 Pied Cormorant
718 Red-capped Plover
719 Double-banded Plover
720 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
721 Fan-tailed Cuckoo
722 Straw-necked Ibis
723 Eastern Spinebill
724 Australasian Gannet
725 Fluttering Shearwater
726 Yellow-nosed Albatross
727 White-fronted Tern
728 Hutton's Shearwater
729 Brown Skua
730 Shy Albatross
731 Providence Petrel
732 Wandering Albatross
733 Grey-headed Albatross
734 Northern Giant-Petrel
735 Australasian Figbird
736 Green Catbird
737 Variegated Fairywren
738 Eastern Whipbird
739 Tree Martin
740 Buff-banded Rail
741 Red-necked Avocet
742 Australasian Grebe
743 Australian Hobby

[csanchez7]

Here is my list of new birds for the month of August, including a second Wollongong pelagic, a trip to Royal National Park, and more general birding in the Wollongong area:

744 Striated Thornbill
745 Olive-backed Oriole
746 Wonga Pigeon
747 White-eared Honeyeater
748 Yellow-faced Honeyeater
749 Brown-headed Honeyeater
750 Nankeen Kestrel
751 Spotted Pardalote
752 Rose Robin
753 Long-billed Corella
754 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
755 Fairy Martin
756 Australasian Shoveler
757 Little Corella
758 Australasian Pipit
759 Brown Goshawk
760 Musk Duck
761 Hoary-headed Grebe
762 Striated Heron
763 Bassian Thrush
764 Large-billed Scrubwren
765 Crested Shrike-tit
766 Red-browed Treecreeper
767 Superb Lyrebird
768 Black-shouldered Kite
769 White-necked Heron
770 Yellow-throated Scrubwren
771 Grey Goshawk
772 White-naped Honeyeater
773 Painted Buttonquail
774 Eurasian Blackbird
775 Swamp Harrier
776 Noisy Friarbird
777 Wedge-tailed Shearwater
778 Little Penguin
779 Southern Giant-Petrel
780 Buller's Albatross
781 Cape Petrel
782 Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
783 Rockwarbler
784 Golden-headed Cisticola
785 Noisy Pitta

[csanchez7]

And finally, my tally for the month of September, which includes productive outings to the Sydney Hawksbury region (thank you Akos Lumnitzer for showing me around!) and Shoalhaven Heads near the town of Nowra:

786 Tawny Frogmouth
787 Scarlet Honeyeater
788 Southern Logrunner
789 Red-necked Stint
790 Greater Sandplover
791 Eastern Reef-Egret
792 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo
793 Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
794 Square-tailed Kite
795 Common Bronzewing
796 Brown Quail
797 Dusky Woodswallow
798 Australian Reed-Warbler
799 Little Grassbird
800 Rufous Whistler
801 White-bellied Sea-Eagle
802 Red-kneed Dotterel
803 Wood Sandpiper
804 Baillon's Crake
805 Brown Falcon
806 Intermediate Egret
807 Weebill
808 Flame Robin
809 Great Crested Grebe
810 Striated Pardalote
811 Pilotbird
812 Sacred Kingfisher
813 White-headed Pigeon
814 Musk Lorikeet
815 Whistling Kite
816 White-cheeked Honeyeater
817 Far Eastern Curlew
818 Pacific Golden-Plover
819 Azure Kingfisher
820 Topknot Pigeon

[csanchez7]

During my spring recess here at the University of Wollongong, I decided to take a road trip that would stretch from Brisbane on the coast, through Mt. Glorious, to Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, and onward to Cunnamulla in the arid 'Outback.' I befriended several birders along the way, whose help was indispensable in helping me find many of the local specialties -- a big thank you to them, as my trip would not have been a success without their help! I recorded 223 species of bird during my trip, half of which were new to me. I had a blast exploring the many faces and ecosystems of southern Queensland:

Southern Queensland (09/25-10/03)

821 Torresian Crow
822 Brown Honeyeater
823 Mangrove Gerygone
824 Red-backed Fairywren
825 Brahminy Kite
826 Lesser Sandplover
827 Curlew Sandpiper
828 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
829 Mangrove Honeyeater
830 Pied Butcherbird
831 Blue-faced Honeyeater
832 Black-tailed Godwit
833 Great Knot
834 Collared Kingfisher
835 Leaden Flycatcher
836 Rainbow Bee-eater
837 Yellow-billed Spoonbill
838 Comb-crested Jacana
839 Cotton Pygmy-Goose
840 Forest Kingfisher
841 White-throated Honeyeater
842 Whiskered Tern
843 White-breasted Woodswallow
844 Little Bronze-Cuckoo
845 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
846 Spangled Drongo
847 Varied Sittella
848 Black-faced Monarch
849 Peaceful Dove
850 Bar-shouldered Dove
851 White-throated Gerygone
852 Striped Honeyeater
853 Restless Flycatcher
854 White-eared Monarch
855 Dollarbird
856 Pheasant Coucal
857 Pale-headed Rosella
858 Little Lorikeet
859 Emerald Dove
860 Pale-yellow Robin
861 Russet-tailed Thrush
862 Rufous Fantail
863 Chestnut-breasted Munia
864 Plumed Whistling-duck
865 Pallid Cuckoo
866 Black-necked Stork
867 Black Falcon
868 Black Kite
869 Cockatiel
870 Magpie Goose
871 Pink-eared Duck
872 Bue-billed Duck
873 Buff-rumped Thornbill
874 Fuscous Honeyeater
875 Speckled Warbler
876 Apostlebird
877 Mallee Ringneck
878 Spotted Bowerbird
879 Emu
880 Red-backed Kingfisher
881 Zebra Finch
882 Chestnut-crowned Babbler
883 Black-tailed Native-hen
884 Yellow-throated Miner
885 Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
886 Diamond Dove
887 Black-faced Woodswallow
888 Jacky Winter
889 Major Mitchell's Cockatoo
890 Red-winged Parrot
891 Brown Treecreeper
892 Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
893 Rufous Songlark
894 Hooded Robin
895 Mulga Parrot
896 Blue Bonnet
897 Black Honeyeater
898 Double-barred Finch
899 Splendid Fairywren
900 Southern Whiteface
901 Crested Bellbird
902 Little Friarbird
903 Singing Honeyeater
904 Red-capped Robin
905 Masked Woodswallow
906 Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush
907 Crimson Chat
908 Mistletoebird
909 Little Woodswallow
910 White-winged Triller
911 White-browed Treecreeper
912 Ground Cuckooshrike
913 Channel-billed Cuckoo
914 Spectacled Monarch
915 Varied Triller
916 Regent Bowerbird
917 Little Shrike-thrush
918 White-bellied Cuckooshrike
919 Banded Lapwing
920 Wandering Whistling-duck
921 Wompoo Fruit-Dove
922 Bell Miner

Immediately after my trip in Queensland, I had a bird outing with the local birding club which helped me garner a few more species to my ever growing life/year list:

Lake Illawarra and Windang estuary system (10/04)

923 Grey-tailed Tattler
924 Latham's Snipe
925 White-winged Black Tern