Bird Board
Spindalis Markham Saturday
Posted by Russ Titus
almost 9 years ago
9 Comments
Angel and Muriel relocated the spindalis this morning about 0900. Along North edge of nature trail area, visable from the roadside south of dog park. Thanks A&M!
Russ Titus
Comments
Also robin -50( earliest I have seen them in winter in my 12 years in Broward)
American Crow- 2 (eastern most location in Broward although 98 percent here at least are fish crow)
Magnolia warbler-1
RT Hummer-3 garden looks like a good spot for hummers.
Spot breasted oriole-3
Habitat note, when it moved here the nature area was wet grass and sparse small trees . One of the best places for wintering sedge wrens and clay colored sparrow.
The larger tree in a hammock had a barn owl . I noticed the county listened to me when I complained about losing the hammock . They have put up barn owl nest boxes.
Looking at the habitat today, it looks great for a bells vireo or a western type flycatcher. A vermillion would be nice. We need to bird this nature trail more often.
The Spindalis moved to the Butterfly Garden at 11:30.
My photos show it to be of the zena type with a black back. The National Geographic app notes that this is the most common type for Florida sightings. Interesting that they live farther than the Grand Bahama birds.
Did Angel recently mention that there was a Spindalis in Virginia Key a while back? Both Markham and Virginia Key are full of Brazilian Pepper, on which I believe we found the Spindalis feeding today.
Spindalis relocated in Butterfly Garden area by Lela around 11:00.
Photos included with ebird post:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26028843
Spindalis reappeared 3:30 PM, south end of butterfly garden.
There have been at least 9 Western Spindalis sightings on Virginia Key and Key Biscayne, some for extended periods.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP: males seen December 2001, May 2002, December 2006, February 2007, April 2010, March 2013; female seen October 2004
Crandon Gardens: female seen April 2002
Virginia Key: female seen late 2012-February 2013
Thanks, Robin. So much for the Brazilian Pepper idea, since Pepper was eradicated at Bill Baggs. Or was it... S;-)
Actually, I've only seen a small Pepper there, and promptly reported it.
Good to see everyone today!
PS: Then again, maybe there is a correlation between the length of stay and access to that bountiful food source v accidental arrivals. Note the long stay at Virginia Key.
Perhaps this is similar to the Ani behavior Toe commented on.
Western Spindalis love Brazilian Pepper, years ago I had one in my yard that eat Brazilian Pepper as well as another exotic called Bishop Wood. I see them eating Brazilian Pepper in the Bahamas as well. Many species of birds love the stuff which unfortunatly helps the spread of it.
Dick lost his camera in the butterfly garden on Sunday between 11 and 2. Please call if you have info 603-512-9898.
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