Tropical Audubon Society

South Florida’s Voice of Conservation

Four birders joined Paul Bithorn and me for the Bird Festival at Fairchild tour to the Keys Hawkwatch at Curry Hammock State Park. On our way to the Keys, we stopped briefly at the Deering Estate at Cutler, where we observed several Scaly-breasted Munias at the feeders adjacent to the visitor center. Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk and Peregrine Falcon were spotted on our way through the Upper Keys. A Reddish Egret flying over US 1 was the only other sighting of note before reaching Curry Hammock.

Hawkwatch Director Rafael Galvez, just returned from Europe, met us in the Curry Hammock parking area. As the group walked along the beach on our way to the hawkwatch site, we observed good numbers of shorebirds, most feeding in the wrack line, including Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plover, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper and Short-billed Dowitcher.

During the hour or so we spent with the hawkwatch team, a constant stream of raptors passed by; most were distant specks, but occasionally one would pass close enough for a satisfying look. Raptors tallied during our visit included Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Cooper's, Sharp-shinned, Broad-winged and Short-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. Other birds seen overhead include Magnificent Frigate bird, Brown Pelican, White Ibis, Purple Martin and Cliff and Barn Swallow. A couple of Yellow Warblers were seen in the picnic area during lunch. On the drive back to Miami, a Belted Kingfisher inexplicably attempted to fly under our van as it crossed the highway. Tragically, it didn't make it.