Time was running out for our Big Year. With our goal of 500 birds in sight, we embarked on several state trips, with our final Florida adventure taking us to the Keys. We needed just one more species to hit our goal.
Central Florida Seabirds
Our first trip began with a 6:00 a.m. departure for the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Our targets were a frequently reported Fulvous Whistling-Duck and a rare Brown Booby. After three hours, we managed to find seven Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, as well as a Sora, Bald Eagle, and King Rail, but no luck on the booby. We decided to head for Merritt Island to look for seabirds.
At Playlinda Beach on the Canaveral National Seashore, we did a seabird watch in high wind and light rain. Our luck paid off! We found a Northern Gannet for our Big Year list—a crucial find, as we hadn’t counted the thousands we saw in Newfoundland earlier in the year. We also spotted a Black Scoter and a Cory’s Shearwater. As we were leaving, we had one more surprise: an American Bittern standing by the road and a Florida Scrub-Jay by the pay station. Overall, a good twelve-hour birding day.
A Thanksgiving Hunt
On Thanksgiving Day, before our family meal, we visited Joe’s Creek Greenway Park to look for an out-of-range Bell’s Vireo that had been reported there. The park was new to us, and while we didn’t find the vireo that day, Sharon went back before work on Monday and successfully added it to her list!
The Keys Adventure
Friday, we headed south. Sharon made a quick stop at the Felts Audubon Preserve in hopes of adding a Painted Bunting to her year list. The preserve’s feeders are a reliable place to find them, but she was out of luck.
That night, we celebrated at the Schnebly Redland’s Winery and Brewery in Florida City, known as the gateway to the Keys. We had a fantastic meal and enjoyed the cool, outdoor garden atmosphere.
Our target bird for Florida City was the Common Myna, a bird known for hanging out at gas stations and fast-food joints. After a short search on Saturday morning, we found one at a Mobil gas station, along with a dozen Monk Parakeets.
Our drive down US 1 took us to Key Largo Hammocks State Park, where conservationists saved the area from being a huge condo development. We hiked the trails and found a variety of herons, warblers, Gray Catbirds, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.
On the scenic Overseas Highway, we enjoyed the view of the clear blue water. We made several stops, scoping power lines and towers for a Brown Booby or White-crowned Pigeon, but were unsuccessful. We did see many Brown Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants, however.
Florida Keys
We checked into Captain Pip’s Hideaway in Marathon, where past guests include Ernest Hemingway, Elizabeth Taylor, and Jimmy Hoffa. From our room, we had a fantastic view of a mangrove island rookery. After lunch, we drove across the Seven Mile Bridge to Big Pine Key for another unsuccessful search for the White-crowned Pigeon. We did, however, get to see our favorite little animals, the protected Key Deer.
Our next stop was Boca Chica Beach, which intersects the Naval Air Station runway. We saw Magnificent Frigatebirds, Black Skimmers, and various shorebirds. Just be aware that this beach is a popular spot for nude sunbathers!
Our last stop was Key West, where we met up with our friend Mike Graff. We enjoyed a cool drink at Mallory Square, a Key West tradition, and watched the stunning sunset. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day in the southernmost place in the U.S.
On our way back to the mainland, we stopped at Curry Hammock Park. While Sharon looked for the elusive pigeon, Mike snorkeled in the inlet and saw some colorful reef fish and a couple of small barracudas. We also spotted four Cave Swallows darting gracefully over an open field.
The Final Tally
There were reports of a Western Spindalis at Markham Park in Sunrise, so we had to check it out. Many other birders were there, but we didn’t find the rare spindalis. We were, however, treated to a nice group of six Spot-breasted Orioles.
We certainly didn’t get all of our target birds this weekend, and that’s okay. Spending two days in the Keys is a privilege, and the birding just makes it more special. We are now at 499 species for our “little big year,” with one month and one species to go!
Trip Summary:
- Total Species: 93
- Year Birds: 5
- Life Birds: 0
2015 Summary:
- Year Birds: 499
- Life Birds: 78
- 2015 Bird List
Next up: Colorado Winter Birding
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