Florida Keys

[WMcLean]

Just back from a week in the Florida Keys...still scratching my no-see-um bites. Didn't get to the Dry Tortugas, but still had a fine time.

The best new bird for me was a Short-Tailed Hawk spotted in the Everglades on the way down. Also visited the Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills nesting on an island surrounded by alligators. Got a quick glimpse of a Swallowtail Kite. Great view of a Green Heron fishing only 5 feet off shore on a low-hanging branch.

The usual crowds of Double-crested Cormorants and Brown Pelicans hung around our dock, along with a Great Egret who visited regularly at suppertime. Plenty of Laughing Gulls, of course. There was an amorous pair of Osprey discussing home improvements nearby. Not sure whether they came to agreement on the nesting site. Saw a few BroadWing Hawks as well.

I was amazed by how many Magnificent Frigatebirds we had. There were males, females and immatures circling around almost every day. I had always just seen them sail on by in the past.

Saw Ruddy Turnstones at Bahia Honda. Lots of Belted Kingfishers at various locations.

[scottishdude]

I managed to photgraph the Swallow tailed kites last time I was there, they are on the Database. I never got to see any Frigatebirds. What time of year were you there? I didn't get a chance to go to the Keys this time, but I will plan on it next year

glad you enjoed it

Jamie

[WMcLean]

I managed to photgraph the Swallow tailed kites last time I was there, they are on the Database. I never got to see any Frigatebirds. What time of year were you there? I didn't get a chance to go to the Keys this time, but I will plan on it next year

glad you enjoed it

Jamie


Just got back yesterday. We were there for a week. I have been to Florida several times, but never saw so many Frigatebirds. I don't think I saw any on my last trip to the Keys. May have had something to do with weather.

[buckskin hawk]

Just got back yesterday. We were there for a week. I have been to Florida several times, but never saw so many Frigatebirds. I don't think I saw any on my last trip to the Keys. May have had something to do with weather.

A number of years ago I took my troop of 15 girls from Oklahoma down to Florida during the summer to study the Mangrove Ecosystem. They had a blast and still to this day recall the "no-see-ums". We camped in three different places along the Keys but the best was Long Key State Park. The group campsite was on the beach between the Mangroves and the ocean, next to the nature trail. We were right next to the most beautiful herons and egrets. They enjoyed watching them eat crabs. The "no-see-ums" were really a big bother.

They also liked seeing the Bird rehabilitation center in Key Largo. Still today, they admire birds and when we are out, they will stop and point them out. It was a great trip.

I would take them again--just not in August! That isn't the right time of the year either. When is a good time in South Florida for birding?

[WMcLean]

Mid March - Mid April seems good. I was there once in January and didn't see much at all, other than terns. Every time I've come this time of year, I have seen Spoonbills, which is a pretty good record.