Our Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas birding trip had one clear goal: finally seeing a Brown Noddy. Mike arrived early to explore Miami’s parrot roosts and Key West’s shoreline, and by the time we met up on Friday, the islands were already alive with migrants, turquoise water, and that unmistakable Keys energy.
Mike arrived on Wednesday for birdwatching in the Miami area. The Biltmore Hotel is a reliable spot for parrots, and he spotted a few Red-masked Parakeets late in the day. The following morning, he discovered a Red-whiskered Bulbul at Pine Woods Park and also observed a Chestnut-fronted Macaw at the Miller Drive Roost. Additionally, a Common Myna was seen near the Mobil station in Florida City. Mike was fortunate to secure a campsite on the seawall at Boyd’s Campground on Stock Island. The sea breeze was refreshing, and he woke up to a beautiful sunrise, watching Navy fighter jets take off and land at the Naval Air Station across the bay.
Sharon arrived in Key West on Friday morning, and we headed to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in search of the reported Black-faced Grassquit. We weren’t alone in our quest, as other birders were also looking for this elusive species, but unfortunately, it wasn’t our day. Nonetheless, the stunning waters surrounding the fort, along with sightings of Magnificent Frigatebirds, White-winged Doves, and Gray Kingbirds, made the visit worthwhile. Additionally, we were treated to a late-in-the-year flyover of ten American White Pelicans, which was a delightful surprise.
We had lobster pizza for lunch near the Southernmost Point and saw a Spotted Sandpiper on the beach. Later in the afternoon, we walked to the Key West Cemetery and successfully observed a White-crowned Pigeon. This was one of the birds we missed during our 2015 Little Big Year. They seem to be more common now, as we saw at least six in various locations.
Dry Tortugas
We stayed at the Eden House and had a short walk to the ferry terminal for our boat ride to Dry Tortugas National Park. Other birdwatchers joined us on the one-and-a-half-hour journey to the fort, where we spotted a Northern Gannet along with many other bird species. This turned out to be a remarkable day, as we added three life birds to our list! The captain also took us by Hospital Key, allowing us to see the Masked Booby—yet another life bird! Other notable birds we observed on the island included the Brown Booby, Herring Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull.
Mike sailed to the Dry Tortugas many years ago and remembers the sounds of birds each morning. The birdwatching on the island is exceptional. We enjoyed great views of Brown and Black Noddies, adding two more life birds to our list. The hundreds of Sooty Terns put on quite a show, and we also spotted Royal, Roseate, and Least Terns. The water around the island is crystal clear, making it perfect for snorkeling, where one might even encounter a barracuda. There are a few trees in the center of the fort, along with a water feature that attracts many bird species. Highlights included the Black-whiskered Vireo, American Redstart, Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula, and Prairie Warbler. The surprise bird of the day was a Bobolink, which gave brief but good views. For raptors, we saw a Merlin and a Red-shouldered Hawk.
Key West
On Sunday, we visited the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Gardens. The highlight of our birdwatching included sightings of the Green Heron, Broad-winged Hawk, Black-and-White Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler. This beautiful property features numerous trails and is home to Green Iguanas. Our final stop of the trip was Boca Chica Beach, which offered an abundance of shorebirds. We spotted Black-bellied Plovers, Semipalmated Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Dunlins, Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Willets. Additionally, we encountered a Reddish Egret and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, both of which are rare finds for us.
For those who enjoy saltwater fishing, there are many charter options available. We opted for a half-day party boat trip and returned with a nice bag of Yellowtail Snapper fillets. During the trip, we also had the chance to see numerous Magnificent Frigatebirds up close. This was a fantastic way to conclude our birding weekend in the Florida Keys.
Perfect weather, clear water, and unforgettable seabird watching made this one of our most memorable spring trips. From Key West’s tropical species to the lifers waiting on the Dry Tortugas, the islands delivered everything we hoped for — and more.
Trip Birds: 70 Year Birds: 24 Life Birds: 3
Next Up: Maine Birds and Blues — coastal hotspots, spring migrants, and a perfect mix of birding and music.
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